EU lobbying has undergone a fundamental shift. What was once a profession driven by subject-matter expertise and direct engagement has become increasingly bureaucratic.  Daniel Guéguen , a veteran with 50 years in the field, believes this transformation has weakened lobbying’s core purpose. As he explains, "The Lisbon Treaty has transformed lobbyists into bureaucrats, diluting the essence of lobbying as an interpersonal and expertise-driven profession." In a discussion, Guégu

AI is reshaping advocacy and public affairs, making communication more efficient—but can it truly persuade? In a recent discussion,   Andras Baneth , an expert in communication and AI’s role in public affairs, spoke about the fine line between influence and manipulation in an AI-driven world. Traditionally, successful advocacy required clarity, memorability, and cultural attunement. Now, AI tools can enhance these elements: analyzing speeches, summarizing key points, and even

Governance fatigue is real—many hear the word and think, here we go again. Dr.   Agota Szabo , shared the following key insights on how governance extends beyond rules to ensure an organization's long-term survival. More than that, it prevents the abuse of power: a concern that is all too real at the top. Too often, governance becomes a compliance checklist: a result rather than a starting point. Organizations tend to fall into two categories: those that strive for meaningful

Public affairs often bring to mind public-facing roles: engaging with policymakers, politicians, and external stakeholders. However, as Dr.   Alan Hardacre, PhD , pointed out, a significant portion of public affairs work happens behind the scenes, within the organization itself. In fact, one of the biggest challenges for public affairs professionals is internal alignment. As Dr. Hardacre shared, many public affairs leaders spend the majority of their time managing internal ex

AI is revolutionising how we communicate, but persuasion—whether in lobbying, sustainability, or business strategy—is still a deeply human skill. In a recent podcast, Dr   Adam Chalmers , explored the intersection of AI-driven communication, corporate lobbying, and sustainability reporting. As AI tools become more advanced, they can now assess and enhance communication, but the big question remains: can they truly influence change? Traditionally, lobbying required mastering c

Why Associations Should Start a Podcast In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever for associations to leverage digital… In...