More than 100 business communicators from across Europe came together for the FEIEA conference in Brussels in October 2005. The packed two-day programme marked the 50th anniversary of FEIEA, with a look at the future of communication and at cross-cultural communication in Europe.

Day one speakers included:

• Peter Kramer, Secretary General of the European Association of Journalists, who spoke about the Association’s work in promoting open communication and freedom of the press across Europe

• Dr Birgit Snizek, President of FEIEA, and Dr Carola Golser-Wamser, Senior Consultant with Trident Global Consulting, who presented the findings of the latest Delphi survey of business communicators in Europe

• Dominique Wolton, Director of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris, who spoke of the cultural differences within the global village that can get in the way of communication and understanding, and who argued that communication is a prerequisite of civil society

• Stanislas Haquet and Nathalie Guerin, who described the innovative electronic communication methods used by Peugeot-Citroen

• Neville Hobson, who looked at the impact on organisational communications of new media such as blogs, RSS and podcasts.

Day two of the conference was hosted by the European Commission, whose speakers offered a fascinating insight into the ways in which Europe communicates:

• Beate Gminder, Head of the Cabinet of the European Commissioner for Communication Strategy, explained Commissioner Margot Wallstrom’s plans for promoting a better communication and information policy for a unified Europe

• Diederik Bangert, from the European Commission’s General Press & Information Directorate, described the resources that are available for journalists and business communicators dealing with European issues

• Willy Helin, Head of the Belgian Representation at the European Commission, outlined how communication works in the EU.

To round off the second day of the conference, delegates were offered a tour of the European Parliament and a behind-the-scenes look at its outstanding press facilities, including its press room, media library and Audiovisual Unit. The Parliament plays host to 1200 accredited journalists – more than the White House in Washington.