The purpose our Public Policy Advocacy Snapshot Series is to provide a brief overview of European trade and professional associations and their conduct of public policy activities at the EU level. Typically we first introduce the association, we look at its organizational structure, in particular its membership and memberships categories e.g. Full Members, Corporate Members, National Associations, we list their priority fields in public policy advocacy and their cooperation with other related organizations.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) represents the interests of the fifteen European car, truck and bus manufacturers at EU level. Its membership consists of the major international automobile companies, working together in an active association to ensure effective communication and negotiation with legislative, commercial, technical, consumer, environmental and other interests. Technical expertise and advisory input comes from over twenty different working groups, made up of experts from the member companies.

Cosmetics Europe- the Personal Care Association is the voice of Europe’s cosmetic, toiletry and perfume industry. Members of Cosmetics Europe are divided into 5 categories: Active Corporate Members (ACM), Supporting Corporate Members (SCM), Active Association Members (AAM), Supporting Association Members (SAM) and Correspondent Members.

In an increasingly demanding and competitive world it is critical for business to understand and engage with both elected representatives and public officials in order to have effective input into shaping the regulatory environment in which private enterprises operate. Making the most of opportunities that stem from government policy, legislation, and regulation requires a comprehensive, proactive strategy. Well-informed and pro-active business leaders are the most effective advocates for steering their enterprise through the fast changing terrain of public policy development.

Civilized lobbying for Russians means any activity that excludes corruption. The Russian Economic News Agency Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes regular surveys of the country’s most influential lobbyists.

Just now, almost anywhere with sand, surf, and sun is wildly overcrowded, overpolluted, and overpriced. After all, almost 80 million Europeans are on August vacation.

No wonder Europe is having a hard time competing with the rest of the world.  Working less and producing less surely must have something to do with Europe’s economic plight and the sad news that about 25 million Europeans now are more or less permanently on vacation.

Here below is the List of the Average Annual Hours actually worked per worker in the EU (OECD- 2012)

Global competence refers to the acquisition of in-depth knowledge and understanding of international issues, an appreciation of and ability to work with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, proficiency in a foreign language, and skills to function productively in an interdependent world community. For some individuals , all or most of these characteristics are ones that he/she will find ways to develop even if the resources are lacking. For others, they must be convinced of the need to develop global competence.

The Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the European Union (AALEP) is launching an outreach initiative intended to expand its international membership and bring more Public Policy Advocates (including lobbyists, public affairs and government affairs professionals, communications and media experts etc.) into the fold. The aim is to promote AALEP around the world and further global competence in Public Policy Advocacy.

Foreign countries may spend money in advocacy at the EU level because they want to react or respond to situations in Brussels. For example when the mood in Brussels becomes highly critical of a certain country, the country may feel that Brussels needs to be better informed of the facts or it may feel that the EU needs to be led to view the issue from a different angle (a case of reaction). Of course, alternatively, it may feel that there is little it can do about it (a case of non-reaction).

With increasingly huge sums in play, whether in terms merchandising, sponsorship, betting or athlete salaries, the seduction of and vulnerability to corrupt behaviour has grown. The sport world has responded slowly and, to date, inadequately. It is as serious a threat as doping; only it has the potential to inflict much greater damage on the sport world and the communities, representing billions of people globally, that support it.