A new generation of interns began its Student Practice Programme at the National Assembly today. National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic and NDI Serbia Programme Director Tom Kelly welcomed the students, seniors at the Faculties of Law, Economy, Philology and Political Sciences.

The National Assembly Speaker told the interns that the experience and knowledge they gain during the practice programme would prepare them for future professional challenges, and NDI Director Tom Kelly said that his organisation and the National Assembly would continue to improve the internship programme respecting the students’ experience and ideas.

On the behalf of the National Assembly Support Service, the interns were greeted by Deputy Secretary-General Mladen Mladenovic wishing that their work at the Assembly prove to be an important experience for their continued professional development. Working in a support service means working in a dynamic environment, which requires a high level of professionalism, expertise, responsibility, conscientiousness, as well as personal creativity. The collection of legal regulations, long-term development plan and annual activity plan of the Service given to the interns on their first day at the National Assembly will help them gain an idea of the legal framework within which the parliament discharges its duty i.e. insight into the strategic goals placed before the Service by the Secretary-General, said Mladenovic. He wished that the interns feel and be part of the energy guiding the National Assembly Support Service towards the completion of its mission which, in addition to completing expert tasks for the needs of the deputies in line with the best parliamentary practice, includes continuous improvement of the Service’s capacities and reputation with the deputies and the public.

The Internship Programme at the National Assembly was launched in 2003 and has so far been attended by more than 150 students from various faculties. The Internship Programme changes, improves and develops every year thanks to the interns’ ideas and suggestions. The Internship Programme at the National Assembly continues to be realised in cooperation with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and this year, comprises 24 students, seniors at the Faculties of Law, Economy, Philology and Political Sciences.