INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION- IPPAA

The International Public Policy Advocacy Association (IPPAA) is now a legal entity registered on 7 November 2012 in the District of Columbia in Washington, USA.

IPPAA will essentially promote professional and ethical public policy advocacy on a global basis; further cooperation between various nations' public policy advocates and their associated institutions; foster public understanding, transparency, and industry best practices; and conduct public policy advocates' education and training and other activities:

IPPAA's purposes are to

(1) promote on a global basis the art and science of ethical policy advocacy to affect government policies;

(2) further transparency, ethical behavior, and the highest professional standards by individuals or organizations who engage in paid advocacy activities intended to affect public policy decisions by government officials and institutions (hereinafter collectively termed "public policy advocates" or "PPAs";

(3) educate its members, government officials, media representatives, and the general public on the nature of the public policy advocacy process; the ethical, professional and legal requirements applicable to such activities, the legitimate and vital role of PPAs play in the governmental process; and why all interests have the fundamental and inherent right in a democracy to explain and advocate their views and concerns to government and to use PPAs to assist them;

(4) train and educate interested parties on a global basis concerning public policy advocacy through quality materials, publications, courses of study, exchange programs, internships and other educational efforts to help ensure better understanding of relevant governmental processes and procedures, proper and effective advocacy practices, relevant ethical standards, professional responsibilities and applicable legal requirements;

(5) advance high ethical standards and practices by requiring its members to follow IPPAA's Global Code of Public Policy Advocacy Ethics;

(6) advocate on behalf of the public policy advocacy profession by supporting the development and implementation of reasonable statutes, regulations, rules, policies, voluntary codes and/or "best practices" affecting the profession;

(7) conduct and participate in conferences, webinars, seminars and meetings, and periodic international gatherings focused on public policy activities; maintain a web site linking IPPAA's members' sites and other PPA related organizations to facilitate sharing useful information and to promote the understanding of public policy advocacy on a global basis; help its members and other parties identify PPAs who might assist or represent them in particular nations; prepare model or common educational and training materials on the nature, legitimacy, ethical considerations, regulation and importance of lobbying and other public policy advocacy activities; exchange information regarding public policy advocacy in various nations; and facilitate and encourage research and academic studies on such activities;

(8) acquire, preserve and disseminate data and useful information relative to the profession; and

(9) promote and enhance the public policy advocacy profession and IPPAA's purposes and interests through any and all other legitimate means consistent with applicable laws and with the public interest.

There are 3 voting membership classes:

(1) associations representing paid professional public policy advocates (PPAs);

(2) firms whose employees advocate for third-party clients and firms that have their own "in-house" advocates; and

(3) individual PPA's and other individuals closely associated with such advocacy.

A non-voting membership class for service members, consisting of vendors who provide services to PPAs is also included.

For enquiries, please contact AALEP Secretariat

aalep@numericable.be