Lobbying for Change: Press Release
Posted on 2017/04/19 , tagged as alberto alemanno, citizenship, lobbying, politics, society
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“…I have no hesitation in lobbying you to read this book.” Bill Emmott Former editor, The Economist
Lobbying for Change:
Find Your Voice to Create a Better Society
by Alberto Alemanno
1 May 2017 ISBN 9781785782084 £8.99 paperback original
Alberto Alemanno will in the UK from 9-11 May
Public lecture: RSA on 11 May, 1 pm.
Press contact Ruth Killick 07880703741 / publicity@ruthkillick.co.uk
Don’t get mad – get lobbying! From the Austrian student who took on Facebook to the Mexicans who campaigned successfully for a Soda sugar tax to the British scientist who lobbied for transparency in drug trials, citizen lobbyists are pushing through changes even in the darkest of times. Here’s how you can join them.
Many democratic societies are experiencing a crisis of faith. We cast our votes and a few of us even run for office, but our supposedly representative governments seem driven by the interests of big business, powerful individuals and wealthy lobby groups. All the while the world’s problems – like climate change, Big Data, corporate greed, the rise of nationalist movements – seem more pressing than ever. What hope do any of us have of making a difference?
Yet we can. In fact, we have more power than we think, argues Professor Alberto Alemanno. We can shape and change policies. How? Not via more referenda and direct democracy, as the populists are arguing, but by becoming ‘citizen lobbyists’ – learning the tools that the big corporate lobbyists use, but to advance causes we really care about, from saving a local library to taking action against fracking. The world of government appears daunting, but this book outlines a ten-step process that anyone can use, bringing their own talent and expertise to make positive change. This process works: Alemanno has spent years teaching individuals and non-profit organisations, and the book is full of inspiring examples of citizen lobbying in action. They range from cutting down international roaming charges for cell phones to championing whistleblower protection in Europe. Most recently Alemanno advocated and obtained from the EU full transparency of the BREXIT process.
10 steps to becoming an expert lobbyist:
- Pick Your Battle
- Do Your Homework
- Map Your Lobbying Environment
- Lobbying Plan
- Pick Your Allies
- You Pays?
- Communication and Media Plan
- Face-to-Face Meeting
- Monitoring and Implementation
- Stick to the (Lobbying) Rules
If you’re looking to improve – or to join – your community, if you’re searching for a sense of purpose or a way to take control of what’s going on around you, switching off is no longer an option. It’s time to make your voice count. Whoever you are, you’ve got power, and this book will show you how to unleash it.
Alberto Alemanno is a leading academic, civic entrepreneur and public interest lawyer. He is currently Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law at HEC Paris and Global Professor of Law at the New York University School of Law. Due to his commitment to bridge the gap between academic research and policy action, Alberto is a Co-Founder and Director of The Good Lobby, the first advocacy skill-sharing community forging partnerships to lobby for the public interest. In 2015 he was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. www.facebook.com/alberto.alemanno twitter: @alemannoEU; Instagram: aalemanno; www.albertoalemanno.eu and www.thegoodlobby.eu
Advance praise for Lobbying for Change:
‘In these troubling times, we need effective citizen-lobbyists – not just likers, followers or even marchers – more than ever. No one has provided a more readable, persuasive and inspiring guide to how to be such a person than Alberto Alemanno. I have no hesitation in lobbying you to read this book.’
Bill Emmott, former editor in chief, Economist
‘Reviving civil society is a crucial task for today and tomorrow, and the strength of citizen lobbying is a vital indicator of civil society’s health. Alberto Alemanno has given us just what we need to guide us in this task – an intelligent, accessible and comprehensive handbook.’
Michael Edwards, editor of OpenDemocracy’s ‘Transformation’
‘Lobbying for Change is the antidote to what ails us: moving would-be change makers beyond “clicktivism” and the occasional march through a step-by-step guide to get active in shaping the future you want to see.’
Gillian Caldwell, CEO, Global Witness
‘This book is an engaged pledge for a renovated, participatory democracy of the 21st century … the revival of the republican agora of the ancient writers.’
Ulrike Guerot, author of Why Europe Must Become a Republic: A Political Utopia
‘The nexus of citizens and technology can form a “fifth estate”, a force for progressive change that will ultimately change politics itself for the better. A must read to understand the future of governance.’
Parag Khanna, author of Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization
‘A guide for citizens to act as an equalising force in today’s polarised society. An inspiring, timely and positive narrative of today’s state of democracy and an antidote to the trap of populism.’
Pascal Lamy, former director of the World Trade Organisation and EU Commissioner for Trade
‘Many people feel powerless and believe the system is rigged against them. While the likes of Trump, Farage and Le Pen want to tear down the system in the name of “the people”, Alberto Alemanno has a much more positive solution. A must-read in these troubled times.’
Philippe Legrain, political economist and writer
‘An easy read packed with powerful insights from both academic research as well as the author’s personal experience, Lobbying for Change will give you all the tools you need to make your voice heard and make a lasting difference.’
Manuel Arriaga, author of Rebooting Democracy
‘This is an essential guidebook for navigating the new political landscape. Alberto sets out the tools that citizens will need to fix broken politics and power a new participation revolution.’
Danny Sriskandarajah, director of CIVICUS Alliance
‘Celebrating the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals, Alberto Alemanno’s book is an unparalleled guide for true citizen engagement with youth at the focal point.’
Trisha Shetty – Founder & CEO, SheSays, UN Young Leader for the SDGs
‘This book provides much needed hope. A generation after Albert Camus advised us to rebel against the absurdities of life, Alberto Alemanno has provided us with a manual on how to do so. Get it, read it, become a citizen advocate – and help to rebuild progressive politics.’
Gerard Hastings, professor of social marketing
‘Alberto Alemanno delivers a true door opener to a new democratic world, where everybody is in charge and has a duty to act. This is essential reading for today’s active citizens across the globe.’
Bruno Kaufmann, co-president of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy
‘At a time when corporate lobbying dominates decision making in government, Alberto Alemanno has produced a vital counter to this unfettered power: citizen lobbying. Here are the means to regain some power and influence over the decisions affecting our lives. This is a toolbox for change.’
Ed Straw, political consultant and writer
‘Alberto Alemanno offers inviting and practical ways for people to connect to politicians and decision makers. Only through this kind of interaction can we build resilient, open, and legitimate governance and cooperation.’
Marietje Schaake, Member of the European Parliament
‘This lively book challenges preconceptions about lobbying and lobbyists. Alberto Alemanno shows with style that there are other ways beyond conventional politics to change the world.’
Andrew Duff, Visiting Fellow, European Policy Centre
Lobbying for Change will be published by Icon books on 1 May price £8.99 paperback original. Alberto Alemanno will be available for interview. For press enquiries, please contact Ruth Killick (publicity@ruthkillick.co.uk / 07880 703741)
