New Event: Public Affairs in Central Europe
As the public affairs profession advances in Central Europe, the relationship between business and politics becomes more complex and challenging. On February 11, the Council is hosting its first briefing on public affairs trends in Central Europe. This webinar will help define the government affairs landscape in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Croatia. Council member CEC Government Relations will provide insights on best practices when operating in the region, as well as answer questions at the end of the program. Register here.
This CEC-hosted webinar will provide an overview of how this picture is quickly evolving. Over the last decade, multinational corporations have rapidly expanded their operations in Central Europe, especially following a series of accessions to the European Union from the region after 2004. In parallel, decision-making has become more institutionalized as bureaucracies mature, parties become more established, and the media and special interest groups more vocal. Against this backdrop, the public affairs industry has become increasingly sophisticated.
With recent Brexit developments, Central Europe is a more prominent factor in the EU decision process, and the loss of the UK creates a more activist Central Europe posture in Brussels. The region also views the U.S. as a strategic partner, and is looking to encourage U.S. investment in areas such as defence, energy and digital. The right policies to ensure stability for investment at both a regional and EU level are a central focus for U.S. and global business coming into the region, and a major reason why public affairs services are rapidly increasing in importance and demand.
Join the CEC team at the webinar to gain first-hand insights into the future of the public affairs industry in Central Europe and the developing needs of the investor community that the industry serves.[/vc_toggle]
New Decade, New Trends to Watch
Working in public affairs is a balancing act of responding to immediate threats, as well as monitoring longer-term political and economic trends that may impact your company’s core business. Below is a round-up of key issues Council members can expect to be on their radars in 2020.
- Trade: President Trump’s activist trade agenda saw two key developments at the beginning of this year: the signing of a “Phase One” U.S.-China trade deal and the passage and signing of the long-awaited USMCA deal. Although Trump signed the agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada into law on January 29, some controversy surrounding the new deal remains. Mexico has already ratified the agreement, and Canada is expected to do so in the next few weeks.
/br - Russia: Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to make changes to the structure of Russia’s political system. Shortly after, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his entire cabinet announced their resignation, with Medvedev assuming the new office of Deputy Chairman of the Security Council. Mikhail Mishustin, who previously served as the Director of the Federal Tax Service, was appointed as the new Prime Minister the day after Putin’s announcement. Council member Kesarev explains what this new structure means for Russia’s power politics and offers insights on what public affairs practitioners can expect from the new Russian Cabinet. Click here to read more.
/br - United States: Eurasia Group sites U.S. domestic politics as the lead contender in its annual “Top Risks” report for 2020. This may be especially true in an election year. Luckily, the Council’s senior political analyst Nathan Gonzalez has some helpful reminders for members to stay focused and cut through the noise of today’s polarized political environment.
/br - European Union: Monitoring key issues across the EU can be a challenge, especially at the institutional and member-state levels. András Baneth, managing director of the Council’s Brussels office, recommends several resources to make EU issues and election tracking easier. Among his top picks are VoteWatch Europe, Politico’s EU Influence and Euractiv.
/br - New business reality: According to Edelman’s 2020 Trust Barometer, a majority of respondents think “customers, employees and communities are more important than shareholders to a company’s long-term success.” Employees expect C-suite leadership to speak out on key social issues, and business is seen as a more competent institution than government, media and NGOs. This year, the Council will feature several conversations on diversity and inclusion, thought leadership and corporate reputation to address the evolving role of business in today’s society.
/br - Brexit: Britain will be the first member state to leave the European Union today, after EU member states gave their official approval of Brexit on January 30. While not many changes will take place immediately, an 11-month transition period will allow the U.K. and the EU to work out the details of their new relationship in regard to security, mobility, trade and transportation. Join the Council’s webinar on public affairs trends in the EU to learn more about Brexit implications, and how your public affairs work might be affected.
Upcoming Executive Education Programs
Workshop: Managing the World
February 12, 2020, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST
Make your function indispensable and strengthen your international presence by keeping up with trends and best practices in global public affairs management – and putting them to work. Join us for our annual workshop to hear strategic advice and case studies from Kimberly-Clark, DHL and Holland & Knight on predicting, preparing for and solving the most common global public affairs challenges.
Free Webinar: Public Affairs in the EU
February 21, 2020, 10 – 11 a.m. EST
Join us for a briefing on the European Union, co-hosted by the Council’s Washington and Brussels offices. This program will focus on the EU public affairs landscape, including insights on government relations best practices across various levels of government and an update on political and economic trends that will impact your work in the region.
Free Webinar: Public Affairs in Mexico
March 12, 2020, 11 a.m. – noon EST
Council member Grupo Estrategia Politica will lead a briefing on Mexico covering the country’s public affairs landscape, how it has changed under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and what to expect from the current administration’s political and economic agenda.
Free Webinar: Public Affairs in Brazil
March 25, 2020, 11 a.m. – noon EST
Want an update on public affairs trends in Brazil? Council members PATRI and Prospectiva Consulting are joining our annual briefing on Brazil to discuss the country’s public affairs landscape and how practitioners are adjusting to the political, social and economic challenges under the administration of President Jair Bolsonaro.