The Difference Between Lobbying, Public Affairs, and Government Relations (and Why It Matters)

The Difference Between Lobbying, Public Affairs, and Government Relations (and Why It Matters)

If you work in the private sector and have any involvement in shaping or responding to policy, you’ve probably encountered these three terms – sometimes used interchangeably, sometimes causing confusion. Getting them right isn’t just a matter of semantics. Understanding the distinctions can help your organisation engage with government more strategically, protect its reputation, and…

How Governments are already using AI in Policymaking
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How Governments are already using AI in Policymaking

Artificial intelligence is no longer only something governments regulate. It is also becoming something they use. Across the UK, the EU, OECD countries and city governments, AI is starting to shape how policymakers gather evidence, analyse public input, improve services and evaluate what works. The biggest change is not that AI is replacing policymaking. It…

Navigating Regulatory Fragmentation: How Global Divergence Is Reshaping Oversight in 2026
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Navigating Regulatory Fragmentation: How Global Divergence Is Reshaping Oversight in 2026

In 2026, regulatory fragmentation has become one of the defining challenges facing governments, businesses, and supervisory authorities worldwide. While globalisation once drove convergence in regulatory standards – particularly in finance, trade, and data governance – the current landscape is marked by divergence. Differing political priorities, technological advancements, economic pressures, and geopolitical tensions are pushing jurisdictions…

Building a Culture of Regulatory Compliance: What Middle and Senior Managers Must Do Now
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Building a Culture of Regulatory Compliance: What Middle and Senior Managers Must Do Now

Building a culture of regulatory compliance is often framed as a board-level responsibility – but in practice, culture lives or dies in the middle of the organisation. While boards set expectations, it is middle and senior managers who translate those expectations into daily decisions, team behaviours, and operational priorities. In today’s evolving regulatory environment, managers…

Diagnosing the Gaps: Identifying and Solving Policy Problems
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Diagnosing the Gaps: Identifying and Solving Policy Problems

Even well-intentioned policies often fall short of their goals. Solving policy problems or gaps in public policy is therefore a critical step toward effective governance. Without a clear diagnosis, reforms risk addressing symptoms rather than root causes. This article explores how policy gaps arise, how to identify them systematically, and why rigorous diagnosis is essential…

Case Study: Parliamentary Study Tour & Training with The Judicial Committee of the Parliament of Ghana
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Case Study: Parliamentary Study Tour & Training with The Judicial Committee of the Parliament of Ghana

The Judicial Committee of the Parliament of Ghana commissioned ICGP to design and deliver a bespoke parliamentary study tour and training programme in London. The five-day programme – combining expert-led sessions with exclusive access to the UK Houses of Parliament and the UK Supreme Court – equipped the delegation with practical frameworks for strengthening parliamentary…

Developing the Skills and Preparedness of Global Heart Health Advocates  I  ICGP Case Study
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Developing the Skills and Preparedness of Global Heart Health Advocates I ICGP Case Study

Global Heart Hub – an international alliance representing heart patient organisations across more than 40 countries – partnered with ICGP to strengthen the policy advocacy and communications capacity of its Heart Failure Patient Council. The result was a three-day bespoke training programme delivered in Windsor, UK, in September 2025, attended by 26 advocates from 17…

Inclusive and Participatory Advocacy: Shaping Policy Together

Inclusive and Participatory Advocacy: Shaping Policy Together

In today’s fast-changing world, advocacy is no longer just about experts and advocates presenting proposals behind closed doors. The most powerful policy shifts are now being driven by inclusive and participatory advocacy — approaches that bring communities, citizens, and those most affected directly into the decision-making process. This article looks at the key features of…

How to assess parliamentary standards: Evaluating capacity and practice against established democratic standards
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How to assess parliamentary standards: Evaluating capacity and practice against established democratic standards

Upholding parliamentary standards is imperative to protecting a democratic, transparent, accountable and effective representative system. But how do we measure them? Last year was a historic year for democracies. Around 1.5 billion people went to the polls in over 50 countries to make it a significant year for elections. As with all elections, the change…

The Latest OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook for 2025

The Latest OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook for 2025

The latest OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook for 2025 highlights more inclusive stakeholder engagement practices and providing more to support innovation in society among their recommendations for strengthening regulatory policy over the next year. The fourth edition of the Outlook Report shares unique data from the OECD indicators on regulatory policy and governance, which informs new…