State MLAs come together for 4-day leadership training prog

SHILLONG, May 19: Legislators of Meghalaya, putting aside their political affiliations, exhibited harmonious relationship by working, engaging and learning together during a four-day training programme.
According to a statement, the Bharti Institute of Public Policy at the Indian School of Business (ISB) organised a programme, viz. ‘Public Policy Workshop for Legislators’ in a bid to strengthen the legislative institution and explore leadership challenges and solutions for policymakers.
The workshop, which concluded on Thursday at ISB’s Mohali campus, saw the participation of 28 MLAs, including three ministers, from Meghalaya besides officials of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and state agencies.
“With sessions focusing on policy challenges for India in general and Meghalaya in particular, the workshop facilitated Meghalaya legislators with insights to research-oriented policy formulation and implementation, through case studies, group assignments and team-building activities,” the statement said.
In addition to class engagements, the legislators also visited Punjab Legislative Assembly and interacted with the legislators there.
“Meghalaya is the first north-eastern state to start with a legislative fellowship programme, with young and highly motivated fellows assisting legislators in research and data analysis on issues of state importance and urgency. However, we noticed there exist gaps in terms of legislators’ understanding and perception of evidence-backed policy formulation. The workshop is a significant step towards filling such gaps,” said Aiban Swer, Director, Meghalaya Institute of Governance and Project Lead, Meghalaya Legislative Research Fellowship programme.
The four-day workshop also helped build and improve rapport among the legislators of Meghalaya who were seen working together inside and outside the class through group projects and studies.
It is pertinent to note that the workshop was organised in furtherance to Bharti Institute’s multi-point collaboration with Meghalaya government.
The Institute is the exclusive knowledge and training partner for the Meghalaya Legislative Research Fellowship programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative to aid research and advocacy in the Northeastern region.