USAID and U.S. Foreign Assistance Chief of Staff Madelyn Marchessault (left) and Country Coordinator Scott Taylor (right) present a Parliamentary Program certificate to a Member of Parliament Assistant.

USAID, in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Milli Mejlis (National Parliament), held an awards ceremony for Assistants of Members of Parliament (MPAs) on November 26, 2008. USAID and U.S. Foreign Assistance Chief of Staff Madelyn Marchessault, Country Coordinator Scott Taylor, and Head of Office of Milli Mejlis Safah Mirzayev presented certificates to over 30 MPAs from Baku and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic who had participated in a 12-month, USAID-supported professional training program. The program, conducted by USAID Parliamentary Program in Azerbaijan (PPA) partner Development Alternatives Inc., the Milli Mejlis Office of State Service and Human Relations Department, and prominent local and international experts, covered essential areas of MPAs’ daily work, including local laws and regulations, constituency issues and public policy linkages, media relations, and international considerations.

At the certificate ceremony, Marchessault noted the important role MPAs play in serving as the eyes, ears, and voices for their constituents and Members of Parliament. She applauded Parliament's sponsorship of the PPA program and looked for their continued leadership and cooperation in helping build a bright and prosperous future for all the people of Azerbaijan.

More than 100 Azerbaijani MPAs are currently participating in the PPA.