WE'VE CHANGED OUR NAME!!!!!

We're now the ASSOCIATION OF ACCREDITED PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCATES TO THE EUROPEAN UNION but keeping the acronym and logo 'AALEP' in order to maintain the brand name continuity because it has gained worldwide recognition over the years.

What's in a name? Everything. An organization's name determines the first impression it makes on the outside world. Its name determines how an organization is perceived and its business is perceived to be. A name conveys what an organization or a profession stands for. Public Policy Advocacy is really at the core of what AALEP members do and their practice extends to corporate, community and government relations, reputation management, stakeholder relations, issue management, crisis management, social media and media relations.

This new name more accurately reflects who we are and what we do. Public Policy Advocacy [in our name] widens the understanding of what our members do. The Association's change of name only makes AALEP and our profession stronger by making clear to the public whom AALEP represents. It makes the meaning of AALEP more apparent to policymakers, legislators, the public, the media, potential members and others.

The European Commission defines interest representation as 'activities carried out with the objective of influencing the policy formulation and decision-making processes of the European institutions. That is precisely what Public Policy Advocacy is all about.

As Public Policy Advocates we offer services to policymakers by providing information about issues and citizens' views. Although politicians and decision makers have several avenues by which they can learn the citizens' views, Public Policy Advocacy is the most common means by which citizens communicate their preferences.

As Public Policy Advocates we serve an education role. The myriad issues facing politicians and decision makers are too varied and complex for them to have expert knowledge on each one. As Public Policy Advocates we provide government officials with a broad range of data, from technical information and statistics to opinions. Many Public Policy Advocates are experts in the area of legislation that is being considered and can help guide lawmakers' decisions in crfating policies. Public Policy Advocates also serve a liaison function by delivering information about the groups they represent to policymakers and by reporting back to their organizations about happenings in EU institutions and regulatory agencies.

Rather than adopting the term 'interest representative' which is very broad, for us Public Policy Advocacy represents the series of actions and issues we highlight to change 'what is' into 'what should be'. Although those actions will vary with the political, economic and social environment in which they are conducted, they have several points in common irrespective of the intervening actors, be they trade associations, individual companies, national/international associations, non-industry associations, NGOs, consultants, law firms and the level of information they vehicle:

• Questioning the nature and the way the policy is proposed
• Participating in the agenda setting by raising significant issues
• Proposing policy solutions
• Opening up space for public argumentation

Shaping public policy is a complex and multifaceted process that involves the interplay of numerous individuals and interest groups competing and collaborating to influence policymakers to act in a particular way. These individuals and groups use a variety of tactics and tools to advance their aims, including advocating their positions publicy, attempting to educate supporters and opponents, and mobilizing allies on a particular issue.

AALEP is dedicated to stengthening the capacity of Public Policy Advocates wherever they may be to influence and change public policy whenever it is deemed appropriate.

Because of globalization we also draw a special attention to Public Policy Advocacy beyond countries' borders and we recognize the increasing importance of transnational advocacy and international advocacy. This includes capacity building, relationship building, forming networks and leadership development.

Our name change to ASSOCIATION OF ACCREDITED PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCATES TO THE EUROPEAN UNION will hopefully help those with whom our Association interacts to know who its members are.

What's in a name? A lot. What is more important is who and what the name represents.