Liberia’s National Assembly Meets Georgia’s General Assembly: November 16, 2008
[High Resolution Photo] Atlanta, Ga. – An eight-member delegation of Liberian legislators arrived in Atlanta on Tuesday, November 11, to meet with Georgia state legislators and the faculty of the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG) and enhance their knowledge of effective governance. The legislators, accompanied by members of the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), will spend two weeks in Atlanta and Athens.
The Liberian visit is the result of a partnership between the Vinson Institute and LIPA that began in the spring of 2007 with the aim of improving Liberia’s public sector. During the project, which is supported by the World Bank, the Vinson Institute and LIPA will work together toward improving training programs for the legislative, executive, and local governments in Liberia.
“Because of the political tumult in my country,” explained LIPA director Harold Monger, “nearly all the legislators in the National Assembly are what you refer to here as ‘freshmen representatives.’ There is very little experience in the legislature. Our partnership with the Vinson Institute allows Liberian lawmakers to observe and learn about the fundamentals of governing.”
The Liberian legislators visiting in November all serve on committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning the budget and finance, and their itinerary in Georgia focused on these issues. The Liberian delegation consulted with Georgia leaders and others involved in state government to gain first-hand insights into the process of writing and implementing budgets. Additionally, they attended seminars presented by CVIOG faculty about fiscal policy.
Representative Emmanuel Nuquay appreciated the opportunity to compare the legislative and budgetary processes from his country with those of Georgia’s state government. “We were able to learn a lot about the function of the legislature and its relationship to the executive branch,” said Nuquay. “Additionally, we discussed the importance of a competent and qualified staff to enhance the effectiveness of our efforts.”
Dr. Steve Wrigley, Vinson Institute director, is hopeful that the cooperation between CVIOG and LIPA will facilitate public administration best practices in Liberia’s governance. “We welcome the opportunity to share our expertise as they work toward carrying out the principles and process of representative government,” he commented.
Bringing together Liberia’s National Assembly and Georgia’s General Assembly is a natural fit for the Vinson Institute, which has provided leadership training and policy insights to the State of Georgia’s leaders and employees for many years. Its Biennial Institute, which has provided legislative training to members of the Georgia General Assembly since 1958, has been recognized by the National Conference of State Legislatures as the top university-based legislative training program in the country.
The Institute’s reputation as a provider of high-quality government training has allowed it to extend its reach beyond the Peach State’s borders to the four corners of the world. In 1998, the Vinson Institute International Center was established to help nations in transition build more effective governments.
Liberia is emerging from a 14-year civil war that has left its infrastructure and economy in shambles. Additionally, power struggles during years of conflict have undermined the structure of the government and its ability to effectively manage the country.
Writer: Courtney Yarbrough
