The Legislative Internship Programme
(LIP) is a programme of the ALF Parliamentary Support Institute
aimed at consolidating and institutionalizing the norms and
principles of liberal democracy in Nigeria. The programme is
specifically designed to provide interested alumni of ALF Democratic
Leadership Training Workshop (DLTW) and other Nigerian young men and
women an opportunity to acquaint themselves with parliamentary norms
and processes with a view to encouraging them to take – up
parliamentary career or work as members of parliamentary support
staff.
GOAL:
The goal of the project is to strengthen
the Nigerian nascent democracy by building the capacity of the
successor generation to demand and practice good governance as well
as positioning them to serve as agents of change in an environment
tainted with endemic corruption.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
Provide opportunity for young
leaders to sharpen their skills in participatory democracy and
governance;
Expose DLTW alumni and other young
Nigerian men and women to the workings of the parliament;
Encourage young Nigerians to take-up
parliamentary career or join the parliamentary support staff.
ORGANISATION:
The legislative Internship Programme
(LIP) is a three-phased programme, made up of (i) a two – day
briefing and orientation programme, (ii) 21 - day attachment with
legislative Assemblies and (iii) a two – day debriefing and
experience – sharing session. Interns will comprise select DLTW
alumni joined by other young men and women to be drawn from across
the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. After the Orientation
workshop, selected applicants will be attached to the National and
State Assemblies, depending on proximity of their residence.
During the practical internship session,
interns will be engaged in all aspects of the work of the Assembly
under the tutelage of a “legislative mentor” to be appointed by the
Clerk of the House. Interns will be exposed to the parliamentary
procedures and processes. They will be assigned to understudy the
workings of the various House Committees and be allowed to seat-in
during the open sessions of the parliament. Assigned task will
include research, bill drafting and analysis, oversight
investigations and other related policy issues. Upon
completion of the attachment phase, interns will attend a two –day
debriefing and experience sharing workshop. In all, a total of 120
persons are expected to benefit from the programme between 2007 and
2009.
BENEFITS:
The benefits of ALF LIP are both
educational and experiential. The Briefing and Orientation Session
is designed to expose the beneficiaries to the theoretical
underpinnings of the parliament, while the 21 – day practical
internship session will expose interns to the practical workings of
the parliament. It is expected that observation of and direct
participation in the parliamentary procedures and processes will
reinforce the theoretical session and enhance participants’
understanding of the parliament.
Participating Legislative Assembles will
provide interns a transit accommodation, while the ALF will pay
participants N400 bursary allowance per day during the practical
internship period.
SCHEDULE OF TRAINING:
The maiden edition of the LIP will
commence with the Briefing / Orientation Programme in August 2007,
when higher institutions in Nigeria are expected to be on vacation.
