Most Nigerians are preoccupied by their personal challenges for survival and better life rather than engage in issues concerning governance to the detriment of our political, economic and social development, although they seeks a more transparent, responsive and accountable democracy

 Democracy is a belief that the people’s freedoms are best preserved through representative government thus vesting  the power to make laws in the people’s elected representatives in the legislature, Nevertheless, the multiplying bureaucracies of modern government constantly challenge the view that people should be governed only by representatives of their own choosing.

As it is with Nigeria, the legislative powers at all levels of government are vested in representative bodies rather than being exercised directly by the people. 

Therefore the need to understand legislatures’ function of representation and

Determining how various political, structural, and institutional factors affect representation, role of legislatures in democracy, the process involving citizens and civil society to organize and participate effectively in democratic processes. Exploring the evolving governance and political structures however, this is not so.

 This conference seeks to understand how representation shapes and influences other legislative functions (lawmaking), duties, and responsibilities. How linkages among legislators, their constituents, and civil society can be strengthened for public awareness and more democratic legislatures.

Some of the questions this conference seeks resolve are: - What is legislation, representation and how power is delegated, how can legislatures better reach out to constituents and civil society.

How is the state and federal power to legislate divided?

Does our type of electoral systems tend to encourage or discourage close contacts between legislators and their constituents, in an effort to allow citizens more direct access to legislative decision-making?

In what manner has globalization influenced legislatures and legislative development, the people, power and participation?

Theme:        Understanding Representation (Legislative, people, power and participation)

Date:           March 2^nd- 3^rd, 2009.

International Guest Speaker: Adam Giambrone 

Former President New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP), Chair - Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)

Guest Speaker: Hon Gbajabihamila

Minority Leader Fedral House of Rep Nigeria

Barr. Sam Erugo

Lecture Law Department Abia State University

Maryanne Nwaokeleme

Conference Coordinator

AYFT challenges young people to be effective agents of change in their respective communities for sustainable development!