EEA-boss sets focus on communication

Communication: Prof. Jacqueline McGlade (middle) with Marion Hannerup and Paul McAleavey

Prof. Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director at the Agency is determined to respond to the results of an independent survey that she herself commissioned on whether many of the Agency's reports actually have the desired impact on policy-makers in Brussels and in all member countries.

'The results of this first survey were not exactly flattering, although I was pleased that the experts at the Agency were widely seen as accessible. Ensuring that we get feedback is a healthy exercise that I think every EU institution should do. We can all improve, and clear communication has traditionally not been one of the EU's greatest strengths' said Prof. Jacqueline McGlade.

The two people, hired to strengthen the profile of the European Environment Agency have very different backgrounds, but both with communication as their core task.

Paul McAleavey is a political scientist with a decade of experience in Brussels under his belt. Most recently he worked as political advisor to Margot Wallström during her five years as European Commissioner for the Environment.

Marion Hannerup has a journalistic background and comes from a job as executive director and editor in chief of an independent Danish newspaper for doctors and other decision makers in the healthcare sector. Before that she was for many years a news reporter and managing editor at Danmark's Radio's national television.

'We will be working closely together. You cannot really separate internal and external communications in an institution like ours. We need some time to get to know the EEA's working style and have already identified areas for improvement', says Marion Hannerup.

Prof. Jacqueline McGlade is happy to have the two on board at last:

'It has been one of my biggest priorities to strengthen all communication aspects of the Agency. We want to become much better at hearing the needs of all our interest groups, to be able to provide them with the independent quality information that this institutions stands for. This will help us reach our ultimate goal, to improve the environment for all citizens of Europe.'