The Center for Legislative Development has worked throughout the world to help make legislatures effective governing institutions. Created in 1970, the Center's initial focus was on the legislature as a key--but often neglected--institution in the democratic political development of nations.  More recently, CLD has worked at the municipal or local level.

CLD works in partnership with national and local governments to:

• conceptualize and conduct structural, procedural, informational, and human resources needs assessments of participating governmental institutions;
• conduct public policy and technical training seminars for legislators and staff, ministers and staff, and mayors and local government officials;
• design and implement electronic voting and bill drafting systems;
• design and implement legislative, executive, and judicial information systems;
• create the capacity to be responsive to the demands of citizens;
• facilitate graduate degree programs; and
• conduct study tours.

The Center's current project in Lebanon is a prime example of our approach as, for the last few years, CLD has focused on working with the Government of Lebanon and USAID to provide information systems and training of officials and staff for Lebanon's emerging local governments.

You can read about this project in more detail by going to the Lebanon project page http://www.albany.edu/cld/lebanonproj.html or by going to the project's web site at http://www.suny-cld.edu.lb/.

Center Personnel

• Director Nan Carroll has been with the Center for Legislative Development since 1994. Her areas of expertise include university administration and project management.
   
• Country Director Mahmoud Batlouni has directed the Lebanon project since its inception in 1993. He is an expert in Middle East administrative institutions and has broad experience in directing large scale projects and in working with USAID.  

Contact us:

For more information on the Center, its activities, or how to access our services, please contact us at:

Center for Legislative Development

University at Albany, SUNY

Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

423 State Street, Albany, New York 12203 USA

Phone: 518-434-0472 Fax: 518-434-0394

E-mail: cld@albany.edu