Today 3,048 individuals are in possession of a Long-Term Badge (valid for one year) to enter the European Parliament. Together they represent 1,829 organisations(interest groups).

Lobbyists do not work on a commission, percentage, bonus, contingency or success fee basis. They work on a fixed fee per task or assignment, or on a hourly rate for time spent. Some  clients engage lobbyists on a long-term on-call basis with a monthly retainer.

As a professional society it is incumbent upon us to keep track of personnel changes taking place in the lobbying industry.

A new section entitled 'People on the Move' will report on personnel changes taking place primarily in Brussels such as new hirings, new appointments, promotions or people taking on specific assignments.

The focus will be on individuals working for consultancies, trade associations, NGOs, law firms etc.. which will provide an opportunity to follow their career path and contact them if the need arises.

Since its creation in late February, the Transitional National Council (TNC) has established itself as the undisputed leadership of the rebellion and the diversity of its members makes it  today the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

Ms. Rosanna Revello, an outstanding Italian practitioner based in Genova and with offices in both Genova and Rome with a solid experience in public affairs and corporate communications has been approved to join AALEP. Rosanna established her consultancy 'Chiappe Revello' back in 1985 with Aldo Chiappe, who has been referred to as the 'Founder of Public Relations in Italy'. Today the firm is controlled by the Revello family and is part of the Kreab Gavin & Anderson network. 

Navigating the European Union system is complicated. Lobbyists face a monumental task in simply trying to figure out where to focus their efforts. Because EU member states do not share the same underlying ideological and economic interests, it is equally important, if not more important to concentrate on the capitals and if you want a positive outcome, you must have the message coming from the member states.

The golden rule of EU lobbying is to get four things right: timing, intelligence, targeting and sensitivity.

The problem with the EU foreign policy is twofold: There are differing definitions and perceptions of national interests (and, by extension, of European interest) and differing analyses and views on appropriate policy strategies for different challenges. But there is another important issue, even when interests and strategies converge, there is a reluctance to give up the prerogative of national action and national initiatives.

An economic boom is under way in Mongolia, thanks largely to improving prospects for the country's all-important mining sector. The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts that real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth will average a supercharged 13.4% a year in 2011-2012.

At the same time, the country needs to look beyond the coal and copper mines that are driving its economic boom to find a more balanced mode of growth. There are other sectors like cashmere and emerging industries such as tourism, food production and metal processing that need development.

Reputation impacts and influences a country's stakeholders worldwide. When people trust, admire and have a good feeling  about a country, not only are they more likely to recommend key supportive behaviours to others, people are also likely to give a nation the benefit of the doubt in a time of crisis. There is a strong pattern between reputation and support.

Although AALEP is first and foremost a membership organization reserved only for senior professionals in the lobbying field, we believe it is important to integrate the fresh energy and enthusiasm of recent graduates and new professionals who are in need of coaching and guidance to advance their career.