International Association of Political Consultants
Encyclopedia
The International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) is a global professional association of Political Consultants
.
The IAPC was founded 1968 in Paris
. It organizes annual conferences and is a platform for exchanging ideas between political consultants. The current president is Tom Edmonds
, USA.
and Joseph Napolitan
of the USA invited a handful of veteran political campaign managers from fifteen countries to meet in Paris
to exchange information and opinions about the emerging profession of political consulting
. At the end of the two-day meeting, they decided to formalize their professional interests by organizing the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC).
Currently, the IAPC membership is drawn from dozens of nations representing ever continent.
and, most recently, Dr. Mir Hossein Mousavi of Iran.
Secondly, the organization has remained true to its original mission of fostering the growing and diverse profession of political consulting as well as the practical aspects of democratic elections. The IAPC accomplishes this by bringing together members at this annual meeting to exchange views and information about political developments and campaign techniques. Organizationally, this conference which is held each November in a different city is the most important activity of the IAPC.
Political consulting
Political consulting, beyond the self-evident definition of consulting in political matters, refers to a specific management consulting industry which has grown up around advising and assisting political campaigns. This article deals primarily with the development and nature of political consulting...
.
The IAPC was founded 1968 in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. It organizes annual conferences and is a platform for exchanging ideas between political consultants. The current president is Tom Edmonds
Tom Edmonds
Tom Edmonds is a veteran Republican political media consultant and president of his own firm in the Washington, D.C. area. His firm, , has received over 100 national awards for its communications strategies on behalf of presidential, senatorial, congressional and gubernatorial candidates...
, USA.
History
In November of 1968, Michel Bongrand of FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Joseph Napolitan
Joseph Napolitan
Joseph Napolitan is an American political consultant, who worked as a general consultant on over 100 political campaigns in the United States, and many others throughout the world...
of the USA invited a handful of veteran political campaign managers from fifteen countries to meet in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to exchange information and opinions about the emerging profession of political consulting
Political consulting
Political consulting, beyond the self-evident definition of consulting in political matters, refers to a specific management consulting industry which has grown up around advising and assisting political campaigns. This article deals primarily with the development and nature of political consulting...
. At the end of the two-day meeting, they decided to formalize their professional interests by organizing the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC).
Membership
Members of the IAPC come from many spheres of political activity. A large segment of the membership are professional political consultants who counsel candidates, political parties, run campaigns or provide specialized services such as polling, fundraising, message development and communications. Members also include specialists in government relations, lobbying, political party employees and members of academia.Currently, the IAPC membership is drawn from dozens of nations representing ever continent.
Goals
The IAPC has two primary goals. First and foremost the organization is committed to fostering democracy and the democratic process throughout the world. Since 1982, the IAPC has presented its Democracy Medal to an individual or organization who has worked courageously to foster, promote and sustain the democratic process anywhere in the world. Past recipients of this prestigious award include Lech Walesa, Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
and, most recently, Dr. Mir Hossein Mousavi of Iran.
Secondly, the organization has remained true to its original mission of fostering the growing and diverse profession of political consulting as well as the practical aspects of democratic elections. The IAPC accomplishes this by bringing together members at this annual meeting to exchange views and information about political developments and campaign techniques. Organizationally, this conference which is held each November in a different city is the most important activity of the IAPC.