Middle East Partnership Initiative, Algiers

State Department Sponsors Regional Legislative Workshop in Algeria

The Middle East Partnership Initiative is sponsoring a regional workshop for parliamentary staffs in Algiers on April 23-29, 2005 to strengthen the legislative research and policy analysis skills of the participants, thereby strengthening parliamentary capacities in the region.

Staffs from four parliaments in the region will receive training from four U.S. legislative staff members from California, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas. Members of the National Conference of State Legislatures will offer their expertise on topics such as the role of research in U.S. legislatures, research tools and techniques, ethics and confidentiality, and how to effectively utilize research resources. The training will feature plenary sessions, small group discussions, and interactive exercises.

The National Conference of State Legislatures will conduct the workshop in cooperation with the Algerian National People’s Assembly as part of the American organization’s "Parliamentary Staff Training and Technical Assistance in North Africa and Lebanon" program. In a previous activity organized by the National Conference of State Legislatures, parliamentary staff from the region traveled to the U.S. to observe staff research and analytical functions at state legislatures and the U.S. Congress.

The Middle East Partnership Initiative is a Presidential initiative that supports economic, political, and educational reform efforts in the Middle East and expanded opportunity for all people of the region, especially women and youth. More information can be found at: www.mepi.state.gov.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/441 Released on April 25, 2005 Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC April 25, 2005