Kosovo Justice Support Program, May 8 - 23, 2008
Bruce Feustel, a Senior Fellow in NCSL's Legislative Management Program, went to Pristina, Kosovo to manage workshops on legislative drafting and effective committee practices with the Kosovo Justice Support Program (KJSP). Descriptions of these workshops are below.
The Drafter as Problem Solver
The first group of participants, from the Ministry of Justice, the Kosovo Judicial Council and other entities, had a two-day workshop, followed by two days of mentoring on legislative drafting. This four day program had the objective of introducing the participants to the rigorous practices of analyzing and problem spotting and solving the legislative drafters. There were 15 - 20 students, as some were called away at different points of the workshop. The students actively participated in the exercises.
Legislative drafting workshops tend to emphasize writing skills and principles because they are vitally important. However, those writing skills need to be combined with key analytical abilities in order to enable the drafters to assist legislators, government officials and others to fully develop the ideas involved in legislation and consider the practical challenges connected to the implementation of those ideas. This module was presented in several phases so that participants were told the general principles concerning their role relating to consultation and problem solving, given an opportunity to apply these principles to a fairly simple drafting assignment, and finally, provide a chance to apply the principles to pertinent and complex potential drafting assignments applicable to their regular professional duties.
Effective Committees
The workshop for committee staff went extremely well, with vigorous participation much like the drafting workshop. The committee workshop participants included committee administrators, legal advisors, assistants, and outside experts.
During the second week, Mr. Feustel worked with Mr. Bob Steere, the Legislative Drafting Coordinator representing the National Center for State Courts in Kosovo. The roundtable showed the participants that USAID was interested in working with legislators and considers them important. The committee chair gave a fascinating description of how he uses the talents and strengths of his committee members and it was clear that he truly understands the role a committee chair should play to make his committee effective.
The highlight of the workshop was the chance to interact with their peers and others involved in the committee process. Throughout, the participants addressed some very tough problems and came up with some thoughtful answers.
Upon Mr. Feustel's return, he stated, "I was privileged to be a part of NCSC’s activities in Kosovo and have great respect for the staff, their dedication and the work that they do. The eyes of the world are on Kosovo, with people generally wishing for peace and stability for a country that has precious little of both. NCSC and those funded by USAID and other organizations are vital to that peace and stability and I appreciate the chance to help."
Updated June 5, 2008 |
