European Centre for Public Affairs

The European Centre for Public Affairs (ECPA) is a research and training group for PR professionals. On its website it states that they run "customised programmes for companies and organisations seeking to improve their practice of public affairs" and contribute to "the debate about the conduct of public affairs at all levels of governance - national, regional and global." 

"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," it states on its website. 

Calls For PR Campaign Plan For PR
In June 2006 ECPA deputy chairman Michael Burrell told PR Week that it was "important that the industry promotes and defends itself". However, Burrell recognises the that lifting the image of the industry will be a big challenge. "It is a close to insuperable challenge to actually promote positive news stories about what [the PA industry] does," he said. Burrell is European Chairman, Public Affairs for the privately-owned PR company, Edelman.

Contact Details
ECPA School of Management University of Surrey Guildford Surrey GU2 7XH Tel: +44 (0)870 444 2760 Fax: +44 (0)870 444 2770 Web: http://www.publicaffairs.ac/