Northern Ireland Assembly: Introduction to U.S. State Legislatures Exchange

In partnership with the U.S. Embassy London Public Affairs Office, Meridian implemented a program for 10 opinion leaders specializing in the Northern Ireland political system to travel to Washington, DC; Boston, Massachusetts; and Little Rock, Arkansas. Through visits to a range of government offices, think tanks, political organizations, and private organizations, participants learned about the key structures, actors, and dynamics in U.S. policymaking at a federal, state, and local level.

The primary aim of this exchange program was to provide key opinion leaders in Northern Ireland with a better understanding of U.S. state legislatures. So as to provide a full understanding, participants were also introduced to the federal and local systems of governance and how they interact with the state level on various subject areas. Participants were also introduced to social and cultural elements of the United States to provide a better understanding of the diversity of the American people and how this influences decisions made at each level of governance.