SW6: Lobbying and Policy Advice in Brussels

Question 1

Definition Lobbying:

Answer 1

Lobbying is related to a group of persons who work or
conduct a campaign to influence members of a
legislature to vote to the group’s special interest

Question 2

Definition Federations

Answer 2

Federations (Verbände) help voicing the interests of certain groups at a very high level in the government

Question 3

Pro’s of Federations

Answer 3

• Concentration of ressources
• Build a point of contact
• Meetings to network
• Funding of expert knowledge
• Clear overview of trends in their respective fields

Question 4

Con’s of Federations

Answer 4

• May follow their special interests too much

- influence public opinion

Question 5

Prominent Examples of Federations

Answer 5

• BDI Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie

- DIHK Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag

Question 6

What is Businesseurope

Answer 6

A network of european associations, which include Economiesuisse and the Schweizerischer Arbeitgeberverband

Question 7

OMC approach is valid when

Answer 7

Nationally sensitive topics are under discussion where:

• Treaty base for community action is weak
• Inaction is politically inacceptable
• mutual learning is the best approach
• a set of objectives/indicators/priorities/guidelines can be agreed upon
• Encourages the convergence of objectives, performance and policies