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Helmut BRAND
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Jean Monnet Professor of European Public Health, Maastricht University, Maastricht; President, European Health Forum Gastein |
Abstract
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Lobbying is “representing interests” and networking is “building up relations” to gain influence.
The different opportunities for lobbying and networking applied by the EC: Platforms, Policy Fora, Consultations etc.
Lobbying and the felt “Deficit in Democracy” of the EU
The problem of „influence of the influencal“ (powerful organisations/industry) and the problem oft „the rule of the minority“
The problem with „Health“:
- strong economic interests (Phrama, Med. Industry)
- health care is still a national not a common market issue (but on the move)
- prevention versus cure
- where is the evidence for our decisions?
- scientific policy advice: weak (e.g. value limits)
- funded by social insurance and tax payers money
- which ethics apply? |
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George A. HACKER
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Senior Policy Advisor, Health Promotion Policy, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington, DC |
Abstract
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| Lobbying for health requires more than meeting with policy makers. It involves building and educating a broad constituency; identifying key allies; synthesizing the evidence base into persuasive and understandable terms; maintaining high standards of information quality control; recognizing and exposing the health-compromising practices and political activities of vested commercial interests; earning media attention; engaging experts and real people as convincing spokespeople, and; understanding policy makers perceptions and constraints and how to influence them. Good timing and serendipity help. Using examples from health advocacy in the United States, Mr. Hacker will describe how awareness campaigns, education, and advocacy combine to prepare the political environment for legislative or regulatory reform. |
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Nathalie RODRIGUEZ MCCULLOUGH
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Member, Monitoring Board, Alcohol Policy Youth Network; Member, Stakeholder Dialogue Group, DG Health and Consumers, European Commission, Brussels |
Abstract
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Especially in the current economic climate, the promotion of healthy lifestyles is a fundamental requirement at all levels from the individual to the societal.
For the individual, a healthy lifestyle is conducive to mental wellbeing and to being an engaged, productive member of society: at the institutional level, unhealthy lifestyles hugely increase the economic burden on health services and national budgets.
Obesity, alcohol and tobacco are preventable causes of a high proportion of hospital admissions and GP consults. Alcohol imposes a massive burden both human and economic, at all levels in society: interpersonal violence; accidents and injuries; crime and anti-social behaviour; child abuse and neglect; absenteeism and impaired performance at work; diseases such as STDs, breast cancer, other cancers, liver, pancreatic and cardiovascular disease, etc., and impaired mental health.
The challenge of non-communicable diseases, and of these 3 risk factors in particular, is one of the major challenges currently facing health services and governments. |
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Nikolaus TACKE
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Director European Government Affairs, Coca-Cola Europe, Brussels |
Abstract
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Coca-Cola, with the responsibility of the world’s largest producer of non-alcoholic beverages (more than 750 different products in Europe, produced in 87 factories in 23 countries), is actively engaged in promoting health and well-being in the communities where we operate.
Our health-related strategy is based on two pillars: “Activating choice” (beverages for every taste, lifestyle and occasion; calorie reduction; promotion of low- and no-calorie options; reduction of pack sizes) and “Activating balance” (transparent and comprehensive nutrition information; promotion of active, healthy lifestyles; responsible marketing).
As all of these topics play a role in EU public policies, we constantly communicate about our actions to EU policy makers and contribute to the different respective stakeholder discussions (e.g. as member of the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health).
All our communications to policy makers take place in a transparent way and are based on reliable, scientific knowledge and evidence (e.g. our voluntary GDA nutrition information scheme), on sound consumer research (e.g. on consumer understanding of food labels), on stakeholder agreements (e.g. our industry-wide commitment not to market to children below 12), and on third-party cooperation (e.g. The Coca-Cola Foundation’s funding of nutrition education and active lifestyle programmes across the EU).
Our activities are monitored by independent institutions, their impact assessed, measured against targets and published (e.g. www.cocacolabelgium.be/doc/healthwellbeingreview.pdf), together with our commitments for further action and improvements.
Based on this approach, Coca-Cola has become a credible, reliable partner for policy makers in the field of public health and beyond. And we are continuously working on increasing and maintaining this trust and on building further cooperation with EU stakeholders in the future. |
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Georg PFEIFER
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Head, Information Office of the European Parliament in Austria, Vienna |
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Chair |
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