Shillong, November 10: A delegation of Meghalaya legislators and senior government officials is participating in the State Legislators’ Leadership Excellence Programme in the United Kingdom, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities, improving governance practices and broadening perspectives on public policy and institutional development.
The programme, being held from November 7 to 14 in London and Cambridge, is jointly organised by the Meghalaya Legislative Research Fellowship Project (MLRF) and the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College, Cambridge, in collaboration with King’s India Institute, King’s College London (KCL), and LSE Consulting of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
The delegation is led by Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma and comprises legislators and senior government officials who are engaging with academics, policy experts, former parliamentarians and institutional leaders from the United Kingdom.
The participating legislators include Deputy Speaker Limison D. Sangma, Deputy Government Chief Whip Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, Ministers Marcuise N. Marak and Paul Lyngdoh, Government Chief Whip Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, and MLAs Abu Taher Mondal, Rupert Momin, Subir Marak, Ollan Singh Suin, Dr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman Kazi, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Mayralborn Syiem, Gavin Miguel Mylliem, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, Gabriel Wahlang, Kyrmen Shylla, Banteidor Lyngdoh, Balajied Kupar Synrem, Charles Pyngrope and Alexander Laloo Hek.
Senior government officials participating in the programme include Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS; Additional Chief Secretary and MLRF Vice-Chair Dr. Sampath Kumar; F.R. Kharkongor, IAS; M.R. Synrem, IAS; and Commissioner and Secretary of Parliamentary Affairs Cyril Diengdoh.
Other officials associated with the programme include Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretary Malthus S. Sangma and Adviser (Legislation) Dr. Andrew Simons, among others.
The programme features specialised sessions conducted by academics, policy experts and experienced practitioners from leading British institutions, focusing on various aspects of governance, leadership and public administration.
The discussions cover ethical decision-making in public policy, leadership, digital infrastructure, private capital, public communication, gender and governance, and innovative approaches to government.
As part of the programme, the Meghalaya delegation is scheduled to visit the Houses of Parliament at Westminster on November 11.
The visit will include a parliamentary tour led by House of Commons Doorkeepers, interactions with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), a dedicated session examining the role of parliamentarians and an opportunity to observe Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in person.
A policy dialogue titled Think Equal ECD Policy Dialogue will also be held at the House of Lords, focusing on early childhood development and policy engagement.
At Jesus College, Cambridge, participants will attend sessions on building alignment across government during fast-moving crises, the green transition as a pathway to prosperity, behavioural science and public policy, and leadership approaches to addressing development challenges.
An important component of the programme is its focus on Meghalaya-specific developmental priorities, with discussions designed to connect international policy experiences with the governance and economic challenges facing the state.
Among the sessions is Everyman’s Economics: Democratising the Economy of Meghalaya, led by Dr. Antara Halder, which will focus on economic perspectives relevant to Meghalaya.
Another session, Adaptive Leadership for Facilitating Economic Growth in Meghalaya State in India, will be conducted by Professor Ronald Heifetz, focusing on leadership approaches to promoting economic growth and addressing development challenges.
The programme will also feature interactions with distinguished experts, including Professor Jaideep Prabhu, Dr. Julian Huppert, Professor Louise Tillin and Dr. David Halpern, along with other leading academics and practitioners.
These engagements are intended to provide participants with insights into international governance systems, institutional leadership, policy innovation and practical approaches to public administration.
The eight-day programme will conclude on November 14 with the presentation of certificates, photographs and a formal farewell at Jesus College, Cambridge.
Through this international engagement, Meghalaya’s legislators and senior government officials are expected to gain exposure to global governance practices, strengthen their leadership and policy-making capabilities, and explore ways to adapt relevant international experiences to the state’s development priorities.
