AER Training Academy - Institutional advocacy work in Brussels

I. Topics covered:

1/ Presentation on Institutional lobbying:

Theoretical background - phases - strategies - examples by Pascal GOERGEN

2/ Interview:

Kurt GAISSERT, representative of Baden-Württemberg region, explained how role of regions has changed over past 15 years and how Baden-Württemberg is working with the European institutions

3/ Presenation on the Lisbon Treaty:

Relevant changes in institutional set up and decision making procedures by Giulio PAPA

4/ Inside view: How to work with the EP:

Malgorzata KUCINSKA, assistant to MEP Danuta Hübner, explained how the European Parliament works "from the inside".

5/ Case study: Regional lobbying from a centralised perspective:

Françoise CHOTARD explained how the region of Ile-de France is working in European affairs

6/ Practitioners input: Experiences of Salzburg office

Michaela PETZ answered questions of participants and gave tipps from her experiences.

II. Target group:

From AER member regions: Regional officers and politicians requiring an introduction or update on European institutions and decision making, regional offers and politicians who want to learn more about lobbying on European level in Brussels.

III. Method:

A combination of lectures, case studies as well as the sharing of experiences between participants. The trainers work themselves in the field they teach which allows for a practical insider approach to the themes taught during the training sessions (also referred to as p eer learning).

IV. Objectives:

At the end of the course the participants will have gained a good knowledge of the basic structure of the EU institutions; will understand how the institutions interact with European regions; and will be aware of the different methods of institutional lobbying of the regions.

In addition, participants, will have not only greater insight into the practical aspects of the work of the regional Brussels offices, but also a deeper understanding of the complexities and dynamics of the EU system and the role of the regions in it.