Constituent Relations and Public Information Workshop in Algiers, Algeria
A delegation from NCSL led by NCSL President and Illinois State Senator Steven Rauschenberger visited Algeria May 27-30 to conduct a workshop for members and senior staff of the Algerian Parliament. With the Senator was a Representative from the Wyoming State House of Representatives, the Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives and two NCSL staff. The workshop’s theme was public information and the relationship between legislators and their constituents.
The four day workshop hosted by the Algerian lower house was highly successful. In addition to the American presenters over 55 participants from both chambers attended all four days of the workshop. Highlights of the workshop included small group discussions on how to create and manage outreach campaigns. Other sessions included working with the media, working with civil society and pre and post election outreach. Particularly noteworthy was the interaction of both members and staff from both chambers, a first in the Algerian Parliament. Also noteworthy - and another first - was the direct, and highly productive, interaction between members and staff.
Both the American presenters and their Algerian counterparts were impressed at the similarities that legislators face on both sides of the Atlantic, despite the differences in their systems of government.
Photos from the workshop can be found at www.ncsl.photosite.com/atelier.
Senator Steven Rauschenberger (left) with Speaker Saadani of the Algerian lower house
The NCSL delegation with Representatives Chaker and Anane at a traditional Algerian mechoui
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