Euralarm’s Advocacy Committee led by its Chairman Lance Rütimann invited advocacy specialists from various Brussels-based organisations, such as Euralarm’s partners Orgalime and ANEC. It allowed Euralarm’s own advocacy experts and guests to share best practices and establish areas of possible collaboration.

Such areas of collaborations were found in electronic security product standardisation and certification, as well as fire and carbon monoxide safety in tourism accommodations. Those topics reflect Euralarm’s newest policy programme, described in a recent communication campaign: A Manifesto for a Safer and more Secure Europe (2016-2019). The document was presented to Euralarm’s guests as an introduction to the event.

Euralarm’s Manifesto for a Safer and more Secure Europe comprises six topics and clear requests to European stakeholders. Euralarm encourages members to also use it at national level. The networking event was preceded by an advocacy training session for Euralarm members. The purpose of the training was to spend time with specialists from Burson-Marsteller, a consultancy, to discuss questions and examples around EU advocacy. The basis for the training was the Euralarm EU Advocacy Manual released in December 2015, providing an overview and simple explanation of the various parts of the EU. The manual serves as a guide for Euralarm’s strategic and operational decisions and work.

Lance Rütimann said: “Successful advocacy requires a good network. We have an opportunity to increase our outreach and impact by expanding our network in Brussels. The term is ‘speed dating’.  We will invite other associations and organisations in Brussels with whom we can shoulder with on topics of common interest. The bottom line is getting to know the people personally with whom common objectives could be achieved.”

Over the next period Euralarm’s advocacy Committee will take several measures to establish and maintain association liaisons with the same general interests.