International Programs

NCSL, with support and funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI), recently conducted the first phase of a Parliamentary Strengthening Program.  As the parliament is intended to represent the interests of all citizens, and to oversee the executive bodies, a well-function institution is critical to maintaining a healthy system of checks and balances, and thus, supporting successful development. 

The Parliamentary Program focuses on providing information on new norms of behavior so that professionalism and responsiveness to citizens are the hallmarks of the MM, building from and complementing EU standards and legislative compliance mechanisms.  It intends to improve the skills and experience of parliamentary staff and provide opportunities for MMs to speak from an informed perspective on constituent and other issues, while generating an environment where significant public participation and meaningful separation of powers will occur where checks and balances become part of everyday reality. 

The Parliamentary Program will reach these objectives through:

(1)     Developing and strengthening parliamentary capacity;

(2)     Promoting greater legislative and procedural transparency; and

(3)     Enhancing overall effectiveness of Parliament.