| Bemerkung |
Scope
The rise of Brussels as an important centre of decision-making has had the direct impact that it has also become a world centre of lobbying and influence, in almost direct proportion of the rise in powers attributed to the EU over time. The fact that almost all policy areas, all civil society stakeholders and all countries around the world are, to some degree, impacted, has been a strong recipe for the growth of a vibrant and diverse lobbying industry in Brussels. Two of the reasons why there is such a dynamic lobbying industry are worth exploring: Firstly, the EU is built on principles of political legitimacy including accountability, information for citizens, and open participation in the political process. Lobbying is invaluable for generating dialogue and providing evidence and facts between stakeholders and EU officials to enhance the quality of the legislation, and decisions, taken at the EU level – and to improve implementation and compliance at the national level. EU officials need information and evidence from different stakeholders across the 28 Member States that they cover with their legislation, and from other countries and companies around the world which are also impacted. In this sense the input of various stakeholders to officials across the institutions is an important means of creating democratic decision-making in the EU. Secondly, the reason why so many stakeholders engage in lobbying is that the costs and benefits of EU legislation are rarely shared equally – and they can have very important localised consequences. This situation generates intense activity as stakeholders try to defend their positions and create new opportunities, by working with the EU institutions and policy-making.
Fundamental to any attempt to work with the EU is a solid understanding of the complex institutional and decision-making architecture. The importance of understanding the EU system and how to interact with the institutions is increasingly vital to succeed in defending, or promoting, an interest or position in the EU. This course on “Lobbying in the EU” fills the gap by offering practical assistance on how the EU institutions and policy-making actually work – and how to work with them.
Methods
Study visit to Brussels, visiting guest speakers and group work
Scheduling
This optional seminar will take place from 8h30-12h on the following days: 9.4., 23.4., 28.5., 11.6. and 25.6.2015. The date for the Brussels excursion will be made public in due course. |
