In a landmark event for global legislative dialogue and cooperation, a delegation of 50 Indian legislators, including MLAs, MLCs and speakers of state legislatures from across the country, attended the National Conference of State Legislatures'(NCSL) Legislative Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The visit was a part of the collaboration between the National Legislators’ Conference (NLC) Bharat, an initiative by Rahul V. Karad and NCSL.
The NCSL Legislative Summit 2024 featured prominent Indian legislators who made significant contributions to global legislative discussions. Notable attendees included Shri AN Shamseer (Hon’ble Speaker of Kerala), Shri UT Khader Fareed (Hon’ble Speaker of Karnataka), Thomas A. Sangma (Speaker of Meghalaya), Shri Kultar Singh Sandhwan (Hon’ble Speaker of Punjab), and Rudrappa Manappa Lamani ( Deputy Speaker of Karnataka). They were joined by other esteemed figures, including Manjunath Bhandari, Saleem Ahmed and Prakash Khubasingh Rathod from Karnataka, Job Michil from Kerala and Manoharan Ramaswamy from Tamil Nadu. Their participation highlighted a strong commitment to fostering international legislative dialogue and collaboration.
AN Shamseer, Speaker of Kerala said “This initiative has been a transformative experience, setting a new benchmark for collaborative engagement. The opportunity to interact with legislators from diverse political backgrounds has been enlightening, revealing shared challenges and innovative solutions. Witnessing this unity and commitment across party lines not only enhances our legislative practices but also strengthens our collective vision for India’s progress.”
Manjunath Bhandari, Hon’ble Member of the Legislative Council, Karnataka said “Shri Rahul Karad’s initiative has been an exceptional opportunity for professional growth and cross-party learning. The summit effectively bridged political divides, fostering a spirit of cooperation and knowledge exchange. Engaging with international perspectives and diverse legislative practices has provided invaluable insights that will enrich our own processes. This kind of collaboration is essential for advancing our legislative goals and fostering a more effective governance framework.”
Rahul V. Karad – Executive President, MIT-WPU said “The NCSL Legislative Summit 2024 represents a pivotal moment in our journey to strengthen global legislative ties. Our participation in this summit has not only enriched our understanding of diverse governance practices but also reaffirmed our commitment to enhancing democratic institutions in India. By engaging in mutual discussions and exchanging best practices with our U.S. counterparts, we have gained valuable insights that will enable our legislators to implement impactful changes in their states, driving progress and development across our nation.”
One of the highlights of the summit was the delegation’s visit to the Kentucky State Capitol Building, where they gained valuable insights into the legislative structures and processes of various U.S. states. This experience enriched their understanding of governance and legislative practices, fostering a deeper appreciation for the diversity of political systems.
The NCSL Legislative Summit 2024 hosted a series of insightful sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. A session titled “The Future of Education: Creating a Vision for Excellence” involved discussions around policies and practices that support future-ready students and schools. Highlighting the importance of the latest technologies, the session on “AI 101: Understanding the Opportunities and Challenges” helped participants gain a foundational understanding of this technology, its current applications, and the approaches states are taking to balance the opportunities and challenges AI presents.
Another session, themed “Building an AI-Ready Workforce,” featured experts discussing efforts to create career pathways for every student and promote quality non-degree credentials that lead to the jobs of tomorrow. In the session “Communicating for Voter Confidence,” participants shared stories and strategies on effectively communicating accurate information about what happens before, during, and after elections. Additionally, the session on “Cybersecurity: Expensive but Necessary” addressed the high risk of cyberattacks facing governments and schools, and the growing costs of preventing, insuring against, and recovering from them.
The Indian delegation’s involvement in these sessions undoubtedly enriched their legislative insight and contributed to their ongoing efforts to drive positive changes in their respective states in India. Under the leadership of its founder, Rahul Karad, NLC Bharat has furthered international legislative ties through this initiative. These efforts aim to provide a platform for knowledge exchange, policy development, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. The collaboration with NCSL USA highlights the significance of international cooperation in addressing contemporary legislative challenges and opportunities.
The NCSL Legislative Summit 2024 also featured a distinguished delegates, including Dr. Aditi R. Karad, Dr. Ashok Joshi, Ashim Patil,Vinod Subramanian, Laxman Badime, Prof. Gautam Bapat, Dinkar Kharat, and Subhash Jayswal. Their participation added depth to the summit’s discussions and contributed to the overall success of the event.
NLC Bharat is a premier organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing the legislative process in India. It provides a platform for state legislators to engage in dialogue, share best practices, and develop innovative solutions to contemporary governance challenges. NLC Bharat’s mission is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes in India through continuous learning and professional development of its legislators. The inaugural edition of NLC Bharat in June last year witnessed the participation of over 1,800 legislators from all over India and also hosted some world-renowned experts on matters of governance including Honourable Senator Wayne Harper from Utah, US.
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. NCSL provides research, technical assistance, and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on pressing state issues. The Legislative Summit is NCSL’s premier event, bringing together thousands of legislators and staff from across the United States and the world to discuss emerging issues, innovative solutions, and policy trends.
