European Centre for Public Affairs

"The European Centre for Public Affairs Ltd (ECPA), founded in 1986 at Templeton College, Oxford, is a not-for-profit organisation under English law. It is run by an Executive Director, supported by a small staff. The ECPA Management Board brings together its corporate members and academics to advise the Executive Director on programme development and research topics.

The ECPA has particular expertise in public affairs practice in the European Union. It works closely with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Presidency and national governments of the Union to develop understanding of the evolving process of governing Europe. It teaches introductory and specialist programmes on public affairs practice in the Union's institutions. ECPA Government Training teaches an extended series of seminars for national Presidencies and courses for civil servants from the applicant states. ECPA Civil Society works with NGOs and others in the Third Sector." [1]

This organisation which was "founded to promote religious and spiritual lifestyles" (Mail on Sunday, August 15th 1999)

The EPCA also runs courses and training for government officials. Its website boasts close relations with Her Majesty's Government and other main governments includig those in Central and Eastern Europe. The EPCA also highlights its connections within Brussels.

Management

Chairman - Erik Jonnaert, General Manager External Relations Western Europe, Procter & Gamble.

Deputy Chairmen

               -Ruth Rawling  Vice President Public Affairs, Cargill Europe; 
               -David Earnshaw Associate Fellow, ECPA  
               -Henry Sténson Senior Vice President,Corporate Communications, Ericsson  
               -Rinus van Schendelen  Professor, Erasmus University, Rotterdam  
               -Roland Verstappen  Director Government Affairs, Ford of Europe  
               -Michael Burrell  European Chairman, Public Affairs, Edelman  

Executive Director - Tom Spencer Visiting Professor of Public Affairs, Brunel University

Tom Spencer was a member of the Conservative party until 1999 when he retired. This was not entirely voluntary as he was exposed as being gay while married. "He was forced to come out as gay after details of his arrest for smuggling gay erotica and drugs from Amsterdam were leaked to the press. He made his announcement on Saturday 30th. January, 1999. He had been fined £550 for importing a gay video tape and 1.5 grammes of cannibis and cocaine into Heathrow airport." [2] This comes as a surprise considering that the EPCA have been "founded to promote religious and spiritual lifestyles"

Members

Its members, as listed on its website include:

Baxter World Trade Bayer CropScience Black & Decker BT Cargill COLIPA Diageo Edelman Public Relations Ericsson ESTA EURIMA Ford of Europe GlaxoSmithKline Holcim Honeywell InBev Kreab Masterfoods Nestlé Novartis Pioneer Overseas Corporation Procter & Gamble The European Connection Unilever United Utilities WWF

"Corporate membership is open to any company operating in Europe. There is an annual membership fee of €7750." [3]

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