OUR PROGRAMS

Political Research Program (PRP)
Quality political research, which is objective and non-partisan, remains a cross-cutting theme through all streams of LSI   work. This program therefore provides quality political research presented in the form of Briefing Papers, Background Papers, Case Studies, Reports and Directories for the benefit of legislators, legislative staff and the public.


Public Legislative Forum (PLF)
This involves holding of public discussion and dialogue on legislation under consideration or passed by the legislatures, legislative performance of the legislators and Local Government Council Assemblies and other interested constituents.

The forum is a means to gather and gauge public input on issues as well as sensitize civil society and the public to get involved in democratic decision making and legislative agendas. Through this forum, opinions of various sections of society are channeled to the appropriate sectors.

Legislative Strengthening Program for Legislators and Legislative Staff
LSP is a flagship program area of LSI through which legislative capability-building is accomplished and strengthening efforts made using tools such as technical and policy issues-based Briefings, Training Workshops, Roundtable Discussions, Legislative Study Tours, Seminars, and Conferences.
LSI engages in training and capability needs assessment of legislatures in emerging democracies and selected countries across the globe. Initiatives include a consultancy on review of the legislative process of the selected assembly and its capacity to monitor implementation of laws, training on increasing political participation of women legislatures, training on public policy development, in-service of the staff of the Legislative Body.


Legislative Capability Building (LCB)
LSI upgrades and enhances the institutional efficiency and competence of national and local legislatures in newly emerging democracies to produce meaningful and quality legislation.

Local Legislative Capability Building (LLCB)
LSI offers local legislators and legislative staff usually in the third tier of government with skills-building seminars to develop functional and analytical skills necessary in performing legislative and constituency servicing roles. Modules are designed to strengthen local legislatures’ institutional efficiency and effectiveness and include:

Module 1: Legislative Agenda Setting

Module 2: Rules of Procedure

Module 3: Legislative-Executive Conflict Resolution

Module 4: Legislative Oversight: Monitoring the Implementation of Ordinances and Evaluating Policy Outcomes

Module 5: Gender Sensitivity in Local Legislation

Module 6: Developing Legislative Proposals: Policy Analysis, Research and Ordinance Drafting

Legislative Advocacy
A five-day seminar on the powers and functions of Assembly, the law-making process,  the strategies and techniques for advocacy and the dynamics of negotiation, as well as strategic planning for advocacy. It may also include a tour of a selected parliament to observe plenary sessions and committee hearings

Seminar in Legislative Development (SLD)
This is an intensive two-week seminar that provides practical, hands-on approach to gain knowledge, functional and organizational skills necessary in legislative work: policy analysis, research, bill drafting, and legislative oversight. LSI strives to assist emerging democracies globally to meet the challenge of making the legislature responsive and the civil society active in making quality and meaningful laws in a changing political environment.


Diarchy Program (DP)
Providing for the creation of avenues for pluralistic political discourse and dialogue on areas such as Civil Military Relations, the DP is a hallmark of LSI work towards strengthening democracy. Major areas under this program include Civil-Military Dialogue, Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector, International Case Studies and Best Practices.


Political Parties Program (PPP)
Focused on preparing political parties for a strengthened democracy, this program undertakes national and international training and sensitization of political party office-bearers and personnel, and provides avenues for dialogue and briefings in this regard.


LSI Scholars Program (ISP)
The ISP brings together eminent and outstanding faculties and legislatures. This diverse community of erudite professionals design and discuss projects aimed at deepening understanding of and the practice related to important issues in socio-politics, legislature and governance.


International Exchange Programs (IEP)
The objective of our exchange programs is to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to work more effectively in their areas of expertise. The program provides all participants with opportunities to exchange information and ideas and develop enduring professional relationships and international amity.


Gender & Governance
LSI facilitates women’s full and equal, informed and active participation in the decision-making process as advocates and/or holders of formal positions of political power and authority at all levels of governance by providing research, training and information development services.

Women’s Political Participation
This involves training women to become active, informed, and equal players in the political process at the local and national levels.

Module 1: Focuses on helping women advocates and elected women increase political awareness and gender consciousness necessary to develop a feminist perspective and agenda.

Module 2: Develops legislative advocacy skills from analyzing women’s issues and concerns, preparing an advocacy agenda to using advocacy strategies and forming legislative advocacy coalitions.

Module 3: Provides knowledge and skills necessary for women with a feminist perspective and agenda to run and win elections; topics cover drafting the platform, organizing and mobilizing the campaign team, preparing the campaign budget, using the media, writing and delivering the best speech, safeguarding the ballot and submitting financial reports after the elections.

Module 4: helps elected women to perform their job by developing technical skills in policy analysis and research, and bill drafting.