Achieving Transparency in the Lobbying Profession
The Association of Lobbyists in the Public Interest considers it very significant that at the recently held conference “Strategic Lobbying and Transparency in the 21st Century,” organized by the Association of Lobbyists and the Executive School for Management and Economy (ESEM), among other things, it was emphasized that lobbyists in Serbia are firmly committed to lawful and transparent lobbying.
The Group of States against Corruption – GRECO, recently concluded that transparency and integrity in the lobbying process are essential for building a responsible political and economic climate. This anti-corruption body of the Council of Europe recommends expanding the concept of lobbying covered by the Lobbying Law to include contacts with persons in the highest executive positions, regardless of whether they are formalized in a written request or not. They also emphasize the importance of disclosing contacts between lobbyists and third parties wishing to influence the decision-making process in public, including the names of participants and the topics discussed.
Comparing with other areas of activity in society, we can see that data from some registers have long been publicly available. As an example, we can mention the Business Registers Agency, which publishes all relevant information about entrepreneurs and business owners, while the Bar Association also provides transparency regarding lawyers.
The lobbying profession has often been stigmatized due to the misconception that lobbyists work secretly behind the public’s back, conducting business for their clients without any insight into their activities. The Association of Lobbyists in the Public Interest wants to emphasize that professional lobbying is based on integrity and ethics, and transparency is key to achieving that goal.
The Statute of the Association of Lobbyists in the Public Interest highlights transparency as its most important value. Since its establishment, our association has been dedicated to aligning the interests of individuals and the common good, emphasizing social responsibility as the essence of lobbying in the public interest. We believe that lobbying transparency is crucial to achieving this goal and that only through a clearly visible lobbying process can we break the stigma associated with this profession.
For more information, please contact us via email or phone.
Contact:
Association of Lobbyists in the Public Interest
Email: redakcija@lobisti.rs
Phone: +381 641124536
