The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with 21-partner parliaments around the world to support the development of effective, independent and responsive legislatures. HDP is proudly implemented by the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
Mr. Unenbat Maamba attended the HDP technical assistance consultancy for the State Great Hural in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in December 2018. During the consultancy, Mr. M.Unenbat learned about public hearings and how they can be used as a tool for oversight and developing inclusive legislation. Following the training, Mr. M.Unenbat was selected to travel to Seoul, South Korea for a study tour, where he met with counterparts at the Korean National Assembly and learned about their public hearing structures and procedures. (This portion of the program was paid for by the United Nations Development Programme.)
Shortly after the HDP technical assistance consultancy, the State Great Hural held its first ever public hearing. Read more about the consultancy, the study tour and the first public hearing here.
What parliament and chamber are you a staff member of?
I am a Senior Advisor for the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs for the State Great Hural’s Secretariat.
What HDP program did you participate in?
In 2018, I participated in HDP’s public hearing consultancy in Ulaanbaatar. I also had the opportunity to attend an exchange in Seoul, South Korea where we met with the Korean National Assembly and learned about their public hearing methods.
What is your favorite thing about your country?
My favorite thing about Mongolia is its rich history and unique traditions, as well as its nomadic culture. Moreover, Mongolians’ family values and respect for parents and siblings.
Why did you decide to become a staff member in parliament?
I am a lawyer by profession. Therefore, I became a staff member in parliament as it is the highest legislative body of the government.
Looking back on the HDP program, what was most impactful for you?
Following my participation in the HDP program, I organized two public hearings of the State Great Hural. The program, both in Ulaanbaatar and Seoul, was a great experience in understanding the nature and purpose of public hearings. I leveraged my knowledge gained from the workshop to organize public hearings and ensure the public’s participation.
How are you applying your experience from the HDP mission to your role as staff?
My experience from the HDP program allowed me to provide professional and methodological advice to members of the State Great Hural, while applying the knowledge and skills gained from the workshop.
What advice would you give to new parliamentary staff?
Always work earnestly, work hard and constantly develop yourself.
What accomplishments in parliament are you most proud of?
When I was appointed as a Chair of the working group to select a new Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), I led the first-ever public hearing on selection of NHRC Commissioner. For the first time in Mongolia, NHRC Commissioner was appointed through an open and independent public hearing.