A few days after the conclusion of the inaugural PACE Young Professionals Academy, the energy, inspiration and sense of community it generated are still very much alive. Over the course of two days, young public affairs practitioners from across Europe gathered in Prague to explore the future of the profession, learn from one another, and strengthen the European public affairs community.
A Warm Opening Focused on Connection
The Academy opened with a welcome dinner hosted by APA – Asociace Public Affairs, offering participants an open and relaxed setting to get to know each other, for a programme built around dialogue, shared experiences and collaboration.
The second day continued at the Anglo-American University, where discussions focused on key themes for the future of public affairs: ethics and transparency in lobbying, the impact of regulation on young practitioners, emerging trends in the field, and the role of the next generation within the PACE community.
Institutional Perspectives and Regulatory Insights
The programme featured a first session led by João Sousa from the Public Affairs Council, who presented valuable data and insights on current corporate public affairs practices and developments at the European level.
Participants had the opportunity to meet with Eva Decroix, Minister of Justice of the Czech Republic, for an in-depth discussion hosted in the Czech Parliament. The conversation offered a clear view of the national approach to lobbying regulation and underscored the importance of constructive cooperation between policymakers and public affairs professionals.
Equally insightful was the dialogue with David Kolář, Executive Director of the Association of Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry, who shared practical reflections on the role of strategic public affairs in shaping policy and the market environment for innovative medicines in Central Europe.
Inside the Czech Legislative Process
The programme also included a guided tour of the Chamber of Deputies – Poslanecká sněmovna Parlamentu ČR, led by Filip Dembický, giving participants a first-hand look at how the Czech legislative process works in practice.
Building a Connected Generation of Public Affairs Professionals
Above all, the Academy created an environment for meaningful peer-to-peer dialogue, enabling young professionals from different countries to compare national approaches, exchange best practices, and openly discuss the dilemmas shaping the profession today.
With this programme, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the next generation of public affairs professionals and strengthening European cooperation within our community.
PACE extends its gratitude to all speakers, partners and participants for contributing to an inspiring first edition of the Young Professionals Academy.
About us
Public Affairs Community of Europe is a European association which gathers national associations of public affairs and lobbyists across entire Europe, based on three pillars: Diversity, European outreach and High standards of ethics and transperancy.
