The House Democracy Partnership: Supporting the Development of Independent Legislatures

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the National Assembly of Afghanistan 

HDP established a partnership with the National Assembly of Afghanistan in March 2006. Over the past five years, HDP has conducted two programs with MPs in the Afghan National Assembly (disaggregates shown in the chart). 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Demonstrated Intent to Address Corruption: Alums expressed a shared commitment to combating issues related to corruption in government, and discussed how HDP has supported the National Assembly’s efforts on this issue in the past, as well as how the partnership can further legislative efforts to conduct oversight. Through the review process, an Afghan HDP alum said, “The program with HDP really helped us in terms of preparing for the oversight of the government that we need to do in the hopes of joining the international community. Especially since the international community has donated billions of dollars. So, our main purpose and our main goal is: we want to prevent corruption.” Another Afghan alum said, “HDP could build more relationships with the Afghan Parliament, especially around oversight issues related to money allocated by donating countries” demonstrating that HDP efforts are valued and that alums in Afghanistan are interested in sustaining their partnership with HDP.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the National Assembly of Armenia

HDP established a partnership with the National Assembly of Armenia in 2020. Though a formal partnership was established in 2020, HDP has engaged with the National Assembly of Armenia since 2019, including conducting five programs with the National Assembly (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Demonstrated Sustained Interest in HDP Programming: Since 2019, HDP has organized several exchanges in partnership with the National Assembly of Armenia in support of U.S. and Armenian legislators and staff exchanging information and building relationships. These exchanges provided opportunities for HDP and the National Assembly to engage on critical legislative issues and led to sustained participation among Armenian MPs and staff in HDP programming. An Armenian alum commented, “We continue to receive attention from HDP, they continue to provide support and focus on the parliament. The HDP intervention was a good effort to adapt subsequent training sessions. We had joint meetings with other colleagues and their feedback about HDP was very positive. The program was engaging [and had] an inviting nature, it allowed us to share work, progress and results.”

Advances in eGovernance: Armenian alums have engaged on issues related to e-governance, including through participation in an HDP regional exchange organized in Tallinn, Estonia. Reflecting upon how the exchange supported capacity-building on this subject, one HDP alum remarked, “I knew things already, but the systematic approach and how the citizens are engaged was interesting and useful.” Additionally, alums applied information shared during e-governance programming in coordination with legislative peers; one Armenian alum reported holding a series of debates with colleagues on e-governance themes, specifically on how to unite e-governance mechanisms between branches to better implement legislative initiatives.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

History of Partnership and Engagement with Congress of Colombia  

HDP established a partnership with the Congress of Colombia in September 2006. 

Since 2016, HDP has conducted 16 programs (disaggregates shown in the chart) with Colombia; these engagements included both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Transparency, Anti-Corruption, and Citizen Engagement: One of the largest initiatives between HDP and the Colombian Congress is the ongoing work toward creating a more transparent and accessible legislature. Between 2016 and 2019, HDP provided technical support to the Congress to develop a mobile software application called “Mi Senado” (My Senate), including the incorporation of input from U.S. partners with digital expertise into the design of the app. Mi Senado allows citizens and Senators to participate in plenary sessions, explore legislative activities and texts, and access realtime results. It can also display citizens’ votes on issues to inform legislative decision-making during plenary and debate sessions. The application has received a positive reception from citizens, both in terms of the number of downloads and usage. During a 2017 HDP regional exchange on legislative transparency, a discussion helped inspire the Colombian Senate to make the app open source. Since then, Colombia has presented the mobile app to international and regional partners who have shown interest in developing similar apps. An Institute staff person familiar with the project said that, “They [the Colombian legislature] are working to improve it every legislative turnover,” suggesting that Mi Senado will continue to evolve and better serve citizens and legislators in Colombia and potentially influence other HDP partners in the region.

Establishment of Network for Nonpartisan Research and Access to Information: In 2017, a series of engagements over the course of eight months between HDP and the Centro de Investigaciones y Altos Estudios Legislativos (CAEL)⁶ in Colombia resulted in the expansion of CAEL’s capacity to support the Senate of Colombia. CAEL, with the support of HDP, created a robust research framework and standards that its independent research network can utilize, enabling CAEL to respond in a timely and uniform manner to inquiries from members and staff of the Senate of Colombia. Following the final engagement, CAEL formally launched a research network involving nearly one hundred universities in Colombia, as well as access to the executive branch’s research and science agency. HDP will continue to support CAEL as it evolves its capacity to support the Senate.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

History of the Partnership and Engagement with the National Assembly of The Gambia 

HDP began engagement with the National Assembly of the Republic of The Gambia as a strategic observer following a May 2019 assessment in Banjul. The assessment found that conditions existed for an HDP observer relationship to support the National Assembly at a potentially pivotal and transformative time for democracy in The Gambia. 

Since the strategic observer partnership was formalized in 2019, HDP has conducted two engagements with the National Assembly of the Republic of The Gambia; these engagements included both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Increased Confidence in MP and Staff Roles and Responsibilities: The 2017 National Assembly elections resulted in an Assembly with over 90 percent of members who had never held elected office and an institution which previously was only a rubberstamp parliament during the Jammeh era. With the new government and the development of a new constitution, the National Assembly, including staff, are relatively new to the duties expected of them. During an interview, one HDP alum said, “The key things a legislature needs are authority, attitude, and ability. Ability is the key issue; we have very good intentions, but we don’t have the ‘know how.’ Everything is a new process.” One HDP alum said that, in comparison to other international development and legislative strengthening partners, “HDP stands out. Members of Congress came to physically be with us.” The interviewee also explained that their understanding of parliamentary proceedings stems from HDP programming. HDP interventions increased the confidence of National Assembly Members (NAMs) to be independent from the executive, increased their understanding of oversight powers and responsibilities in relation to the executive, and brought greater awareness to professional staff on the types of technical support they can and should provide to NAMs.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Parliament of Georgia  

HDP established a partnership with the Parliament of Georgia in 2006. 

Since 2016, HDP has conducted 17 programs with the Parliament of Georgia (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff. 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Established and Improved the Parliamentary Code of Ethics: With the help of HDP technical experts in 2016, parliament developed the initial version of the ethics code, which it adopted in 2019. Thereafter, HDP supported the Council of Ethics in developing a series of documents that helped set the Council’s rules of procedure and establish operating guidance in a collaborative process. One HDP alum noted: “Over the last four years and the last decade our parliament has gone through a lot of changes. It is very beneficial and needed to have HDP support. The Ethics Council is a good example, we went through a very difficult process with HDP’s help. The [Ethics] Council was already forming and HDP helped develop the documents, I can say that this help was very relevant.”

Implementation of e-Governance Initiatives for Open Committee Hearings: HDP programs focused on e-governance, and specifically programming held in partnership with the eGovernance Academy, exposed MPs to new digital methods of governance and citizen engagement, resulting in more transparent government processes. Following these programs, Georgian MPs implemented digital initiatives to facilitate more direct citizen engagement. In addition to changing chamber rules to allow citizens and CSO groups greater access to hearings, a digital platform was developed to facilitate citizen input in the lawmaking process: “Committee hearings are public, NGOs always participate, [a] new platform was instituted where drafts of legislation are published and citizens have a chance to comment or propose changes on those drafts.” Another HDP alum highlighted the implementation of e-petitions, explaining “We’ve implemented many changes to allow citizens to be more involved in the parliament. Committees now discuss proposals submitted by citizens, an idea taken from Estonia [the eGovernment Academy program]…We have implemented a mechanism for the “people’s initiative” – if a petition is electronically signed by 30,000 citizens, the parliament must consider it.”

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Congress of Guatemala 

HDP established a partnership with the National Assembly of HDP established a partnership with the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala in June 2017. The partnership began after an assessment was conducted by HDP in October 2016. The assessment found that, at the time, conditions existed for an HDP partnership to support the Congress of Guatemala at a pivotal and transformative moment for democracy in the country. 

Since the partnership was formalized and within the period of review, HDP has conducted 13 engagements with the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala (disaggregates shown in chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Building Relationships: Through its engagements in Guatemala, HDP seeks to build both the technical skills of partners and create a network of strong relationships. These relationships help legislators troubleshoot ideas and technical issues, and create a more trusting and comfortable exchange environment among partners and MPs of different parties. An alum said, “That is what HDP means to me. It is a network of contacts from HDP. I know representatives from Ecuador, Bolivia, from Chile, Argentina. I know people, representatives from Central America, Mexico, the United States, and not only from there, because when we’ve had other experiences with both Institutes. We’ve been able to meet representatives from Europe, Africa, Asia. And that’s really very valuable. And believe it or not, we have communication almost daily. This morning, I was receiving messages from Argentina.” Another interviewee noted how sustained relationships provide continued benefits to HDP alums,“[I] follow on Instagram and Twitter to keep up, [and] saw on social media a Chilean [I] had worked with through HDP presented a bill that may be useful in Guatemala, [I] texted her to see the bill and learn more about it.”

Advances in Legislative Transparency: HDP programming has supported partners in creating more open processes and bolstering public access to information and legislative business. As one alum noted, “The most enriching thing was sharing things with other politicians. Some of their activities haven’t made it to Guatemala so I brought them back to debate here and see if we could use them…An example is a transparency trip in Chile. I had a conversation with Congressman Price, and we debated the importance of strengthening public access to information. [HDP] helped in the preparation of a public access bill and I introduced the amendment….” 

Additionally, others expressed, “Now…all of the sessions of the Congress are uploaded to YouTube, as well as the working sessions. The importance of being able to have greater access to initiatives and also to decisions. We were able to make significant progress. We were able to implement from an administrative perspective…This was not possible before HDP.”

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the National Assembly 

HDP established a partnership with the National Assembly of Haiti in September 2006. 

Since 2016, HDP has conducted eight programs (disaggregates shown in the chart) that have included both MPs and staff of the Haitian National Assembly.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Legislative Progress and Commitment to Transparency: HDP alums from the National Assembly of Haiti have notably gained guidance on strengthening legislative openness and transparency. One interviewee commented that after attending a regional exchange on legislative transparency, they were inspired to work with NDI to draft a bill expanding public access to information. The alum described the experience, noting, “[We drafted] one bill on access to information with NDI. It was not voted upon because of organizational problems, not political ones. And after the experience [with HDP] in Argentina, I praised the organization and the conference and said we need to fight openly against corruption. This truly allowed me to engage on this issue that I’ve been working on for many years.”

Focus on Constituent Engagement: In 2017, HDP engaged in a technical assistance consultancy focused on district communications and constituent engagement, and included U.S. Congressional staff and MPs from the lower house of the Haitian Parliament and the National Assembly. Though unable to interview alums from Haiti that participated in the TAC, an attending U.S. partner offered comments on the engagement: “We shared ideas that they hadn’t thought about. [I stressed] they had to build trust and develop relationships [with constituents].” This U.S. partner added that in conducting HDP programming, it is important for MPs and legislative staff to understand “that [constituents] don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care,” highlighting the need for sustained communication and outreach as keys to achieving legislative goals.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the People’s Representative Council of Indonesia 

HDP established a partnership with the People’s Representative Council of Indonesia in 2005. 

Since 2016, HDP has conducted eight engagements with the People’s Representative Council (disaggregates shown in the chart), including both MPs and staff. 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Improved Budget Materials: Through an HDP program, legislative staff from Indonesia learned to create more useful budget reports for members, resulting in members having better tools to conduct their essential function of budget oversight of the executive. One HDP alum, responsible for budget analysis in Indonesia, said that after participating in an HDP inbound exchange, where the role of the U.S. Congressional Budget Office related to budget policy was discussed, they realized they needed to make reports more comprehensive. The interviewee discussed learning that reports should include information “summarized in tables and graphs that are easy to read,” and to “make (reports) more attractive so MPs are interested in reading them. [Previously] our reports were very thick and did not communicate anything.” According to information gathered during the review, this HDP skills-building exercise manifested in more digestible budget reports for legislators, which improved oversight mechanisms and practices for legislators. Multiple interviewees cited that much of the substance they gained from HDP programming came from engagement with the U.S. Congressional Budget Office. Though the alums said they did not have a CBO-equivalent at the time, seeing how the CBO functions helped them see what their legislature’s budget process could be, and a budget analysis center was later established. 

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Council of Representatives 

HDP established a partnership with the Iraq Council of Representatives in 2011. 

Over the last five years, the Council of Representatives of Iraq has engaged in three programs (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff. 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Advancements in Constituent Engagement: HDP alums are exploring new and innovative ways to engage constituents. Following an HDP virtual exchange focused on constituent engagement, an Iraqi alum who was struggling to meet the needs of the more than 850 thousand people they serve was able to utilize the knowledge they gained to better communicate and serve constituents. The alum commented, “We formed social networking groups on apps, and it helped us with constituent engagement. We used WhatsApp, Viber, and Facebook. My participation was very important, especially…during COVID and our difficulties in meeting our constituents [in person].”

Progress on Delivering for Women: A 2020 virtual regional exchange focused on supporting members with the development of comprehensive legislative policies on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and alums noted that they had gained valuable insight into specific legislative strategies to address issues that are disproportionately impacting women, such as sexual harassment, financial freedom, and the ability to confer citizenship to their children. An alum from Iraq noted that they were working alongside MPs to create a public campaign to pass legislation to combat domestic violence during the pandemic. By the conclusion of the event, and after months of planning and information gathering, Iraqi MPs officially launched their advocacy campaign under the slogan, “Through Shari’a and Legislation, You Won’t Lose Your Family.” HDP will continue to support the multi-partisan group of women MPs to leverage their leadership and work toward their goals, as well as the efforts of alums from other countries who were inspired by what they learned through the HDP exchange.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Parliament 

HDP established a partnership with the Parliament of Kenya in 2006. 

Since 2016, HDP has conducted 13 programs with the Parliament of Kenya (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Progress in Ethics Reform: In response to a direct request for support from Kenyan leaders in the National Assembly, Institute staff organized a technical assistance consultancy on the development of best practices in parliamentary ethics. U.S. partners worked with the Committee of Parliamentary Powers and Privileges to identify ten immediate takeaways and next steps for the National Assembly. These action items included establishing a formal training for MPs on ethics measures, rules related to financial disclosure, gifts and official travel for MPs, removal of the requirement that the Speaker chairs the Powers and Privileges Committee, creation of a formal manual on ethics guidelines similar to the U.S. House Ethics Manual, establishing fair labor standards for parliamentary staff, considering the creation of a formal Committee on Ethics and a formal Committee on Rules and Administration and establishing an educational arm of the Committee, similar to the structure present in the U.S. House Ethics Committee. As a result, the Speaker of the National Assembly stepped down from his role as chair of the Powers and Privilege Committee as recommended, but the Standing Orders are yet to be reviewed and reflect this change. The National Assembly has committed to implementing the other recommendations listed, but progress has been challenged by the COVID pandemic.

Evidence of Institutional Progress: An alum from Kenya stated, “When we needed the support of HDP for our legislators and for our Parliamentary Research Service we have had senior staff [of the U.S. Congress] come over here when we request assistance, it is always available, and this [relationship] has allowed us to mature faster, we are better than where we were ten years ago,” indicating that the long-term relationship between HDP and the Kenyan legislature has had a noticeable impact in supporting institutional progress. In addition, a number of departments within the Kenyan legislature with joint services have participated in HDP programming, according to a Kenyan HDP alum, “There was a lot of demand for further support, particularly for the Parliamentary Research Service. HDP helped the library office learn how to catalogue laws in an exchange with the Library of Congress and now members of Parliament are accessing information more.”

Demonstrated Sustained Interest in HDP Participation: During the review, Kenyan alums expressed interest in supporting the legislative skills development of their peers within the region through HDP, in a mentorship relationship. A Kenyan alum said that “Kenya can host other countries in the East Africa Group. Sometimes we find that the more developed democracies are too rigid, because of their steep traditions, but our democracy is younger and we are able to improve and make changes more easily,” enabling Kenya’s National Assembly to share experiences with other young democracies in a way that drives greater impact.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Assembly 

HDP established a partnership with the Assembly of Kosovo in 2009. 

Since 2016, HDP has conducted 15 programs with the Assembly of Kosovo (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Advances in Research and Budget Analysis: Building from NDI support to the Assembly of Kosovo with USAID funding to strengthen research and library services, HDP supported the Assembly of Kosovo’s creation of the Department for Research, Archive and Library (DRLA), which was modeled after CRS and information researchers shared during exchanges. HDP has also worked with the Assembly to support the development of budget process and budget analysis capacities. One Kosovar alum shared that they received greater insight into the budget process from the U.S. perspective, as well as from their colleagues from other partner legislatures. The alums were able to gain a deeper understanding of the options that parliaments can select when implementing a fiscal year or a legislative budget review procedure and added, “There is not one right way to establish procedures and process. There are workable options across the partnership that member countries can learn about and try.”

Demonstrated Professional Growth of HDP Alums: HDP has supported the personal and professional growth of alums. During an interview with an Institute representative, the interviewee noted that, “One person the [HDP] program impacted who has in turn impacted others is now a chairperson of a caucus in Kosovo. [The HDP alum] was a civil society leader, they received training in running campaigns; they won, and they are now one of the most active and responsible people in the legislature. They had two HDP visits and have really blossomed over the course of the time they have been associated with HDP; it really shows.” 

New Citizen Engagement Strategies: HDP alums from Kosovo are creating strategies for in-person engagements in new ways they had not previously used following HDP programming. For example, an alum from Kosovo said, “In the last election cycle, I was helping a member organize meetings all over the country with citizens. This was something new for me and something I got from HDP training.” 

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Supreme Council 

HDP established a partnership with the Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz Republic (Jogorku Kenesh) in 2012. 

Since 2016, HDP has conducted 12 programs with the Supreme Council (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

HDP and Unanticipated Impacts: HDP exchanges have impacted Kyrgyz partners and institutional processes. During the review process, an Institute staff person observed, “Kyrgyz exchanges have value beyond what they are designed to do. They [HDP alums] come back with ideas you have never thought of. For example [a Kyrgyz alum] visited D.C. and returned to mimic the weekly press conferences Speaker Pelosi does. They also were impressed with the work ethic of Members of Congress.”

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Parliament 

HDP established a partnership with the Parliament of Lebanon in March 2006.

Since 2016, HDP has conducted two programs with the Parliament of Lebanon (disaggregates shown in the chart) which included MPs from Lebanon.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Advances in Legislative Responses that Support Women: During HDP programming, MPs share experiences on the most salient and critical legislative issues they may be facing, and how to develop policy responses focused on addressing those issues. During a 2020 virtual regional exchange focused on supporting members with the development of comprehensive legislative policies on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, participants said that they had gained valuable insight into specific legislative strategies to address issues that are disproportionally impacting women, such as sexual harassment, financial freedom, and the ability to confer citizenship to their children.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Legislature 

HDP established a partnership with the Legislature of Liberia in July 2006.

Since 2016, HDP has conducted 13 programs with the Legislature of Liberia (disaggregates shown in the chart), which have included both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Advances in Procedures: HDP alums from Liberia discussed how procedures and institutional structures have shifted within committees because of their participation in HDP programming. An HDP alum from Liberia noted, “What we learn from HDP is very rewarding and extensive. My colleagues participated and they are on the Public Account and Expenditures Committee, [HDP] influenced our procedures and approach to accounting.” HDP alums from Liberia also reported having success in mentoring others on procedural practices gained through HDP participation.

Increased Interest in Constituent Engagement: A number of interviewees also noted that they observed an increased interest in constituent engagement more broadly within the legislature, with MPs and staff recognizing they serve at the pleasure of the people. As an alum from Liberia summarized, “[The program] made me more accountable to the people I serve; I am more aware of what I am doing. We can’t fully adopt everything, but ethical standards [and] transparency are important.” HDP has also successfully supported legislative staff in Liberia to work with lawmakers to publish information on constituent meetings, which allows constituents to be more engaged and increases transparency and accountability. A Liberian alum working on constituent engagement said, “They showed us [how to conduct] quality town hall meetings, how to talk to constituents, [it was] very good.”

Advancements in Institutional Structures: HDP programming that has focused on supporting the development of library and research services has been especially beneficial, and as one Liberian alum surveyed explained, “I found those skills excellent and beneficial for library improvement, and when implemented in my role there was a massive improvement.” Another alum expressed, “I learned how to research and access documents for members of parliament and staff, and how to manage the library, and what is expected of [my role], in line with my day-to-day legislative duties.”

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the State Great Hural 

HDP established a partnership with the State Great Hural of Mongolia in May 2006.

Since 2016, HDP has conducted six programs with the State Great Hural (disaggregates shown in the chart), which engaged both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Increased Oversight Through Public Hearings: Following a three-year campaign between HDP and Mongolia’s State Great Hural on the necessity of public hearings, the State Great Hural held its first ever public hearing following HDP programming on the topic.⁷ These engagements resulted in changes in individual and institutional behavior within the State Great Hural. For example, an HDP alum reported that learning about public hearings through HDP increased their understanding of public hearing procedure, saying, “In 2015 we adapted our law on public hearings – the law was on general regulation. People knew about the law only in general terms, but we had not implemented the law much. But after the participation in the [HDP] program, I learned the procedure of how to hold these public hearings. We held public hearings for two consecutive days, so it reached the public. Our secretariat and the parliament acknowledged the importance of public hearings after this event was held, so I think it [the HDP program] was very effective and useful.” Another HDP alum better understood how to engage citizens in government processes through public hearings, and indicated a public hearing led to the appointment of a commissioner: “In December 2018, I participated in the public hearing seminar and it helped me a lot. [W]e were talking about how to involve the public in our process and we were talking about their involvement in public hearings. We later amended our national criminal rights law and, for the first time, we held a public hearing to appoint the federal Human Rights Commissioner. The knowledge I gained from this workshop was very valuable and helped me assist in organizing this public hearing.”

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Federal Parliament 

HDP began its engagement with the Federal Parliament of Nepal in 2015.

The majority of HDP’s engagement with Nepal has come since 2016, through five programs (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff. 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Increased Understanding of the Role of the Legislative Branch: Legislative institutions – and the processes and operations therein – develop in unique ways, but HDP programming has allowed for alums to share and connect on challenges that many may be facing. Following an HDP exchange focused on ways legislatures can safeguard democratic institutions, a Nepali alum said, “In Nepal, the government [executive branch] formulates the bills, and in the U.S., the legislature does. They have rich and knowledgeable staff. We learned we don’t need to panic, this is a learning process and we are developing. It was helpful for my work in committees, [to have] more discussions and expert input. We now invite many stakeholders to give input. I learned that a lot of the MPs from other countries are just like us, not very organized, not any better than us.” 

Learning on COVID-19 Response Strategies: An HDP virtual exchange in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 allowed for senior Nepali politicians to engage with U.S. representatives on strategies to counter COVID-19 through policy. It allowed for a frank conversation on specific challenges and experience-sharing, and also supported the process of relationship-building across the two countries’ Houses. An alum from Nepal recalled that “the interaction allowed us to understand that COVID response is a very challenging endeavor and mired with difficult decisions and implementation challenges for every country, no matter the size or economic prosperity.”

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Assembly

HDP established a partnership with the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia in 2006.

Since 2016, HDP has conducted 14 total programs with the Assembly (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff. 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Implementation of New Policy Initiatives: Alums in North Macedonia reported implementing a number of new initiatives inspired by their experiences and lessons learned through HDP, including the formation of an information literacy group following participation in an e-governance regional exchange. The goal, inspired by lessons learned during the regional exchange, was to assemble MPs with strong digital skills to act as an informed filter to review draft laws related to information and digital literacy. Although no longer in existence, this example captures the inspiration for new initiatives HDP can provide. Additionally, alums have implemented special bodies that coordinate oversight efforts in the Assembly, a strong example of HDP alums actively implementing lessons learned. 

HDP Alums Advanced Leadership Positions: Programming with the Assembly encouraged many MPs and staff to become more engaged in their role, and even to pursue leadership positions, following their engagement with HDP. For example, one alumna became Minister of Labor and Social Policy (and is currently serving at the time of this report’s publication) in the government of North Macedonia, another parliamentary staff alum was appointed deputy-secretary of parliament and another alum leveraged lessons and skills learned during an e-governance program to advance their role to a leadership position in the Ministry of Information Society and Administration, while another alum rose to a leadership position in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Supply.

Demonstrated Sustained Interest in HDP Partnership and Democratic Advancement: The Assembly has increasingly demonstrated a willingness and interest in strengthening its democratic systems through its partnership with HDP. In 2017, HDP hosted a working dinner with the recently elected Speaker of the Assembly, as he wished to have open dialogue with the democracy community in Washington D.C. Additionally, in 2019, HDP received a direct request from the then-Chairman of North Macedonia’s Standing Inquiry Committee for Protection of Civil Rights and Freedoms in Parliament to help strengthen the Committee’s capacity. Outreach and engagement such as this is indicative of the important role HDP plays in supporting the sustained interest of the Assembly to continue to advance democratically. 

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Congress 

HHDP established a partnership with the Congress of the Republic of Peru in June 2009.

Since 2016, HDP has conducted 14 total programs with the Congress (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff. 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Relationships Developed through HDP Continue to Benefit the Peruvian Congress: Multiple HDP alums indicated relationships established with other participants directly benefited the Peruvian Congress. At least one alum continues to use WhatsApp to communicate with fellow HDP alums and relies on information exchanged to help with legislative challenges, such as how to best craft an amendment to address an agrarian issue in Peru.

HDP Programming Helped Strengthen the Congress’ Legislative Drafting: As a result of HDP engagements, multiple alums indicated their understanding of, and capacity to, engage in the legislative process was strengthened. One alum reported a strengthened capacity to identify inherent deficiencies in the legislative process and an increased awareness of the need for quality information to inform decisions. Increased capacity has resulted in a number of concrete successes, including one HDP alum who was able to contribute to the development of a law to prohibit those with a judicial sentence on their record from running for public office. Additionally, as a result of information exchanged regarding parliamentary immunity laws during a 2019 regional exchange on transparency and ethics, an HDP alum assisted in creating a proposal to end parliamentary immunity in Peru; at the time of this writing, the proposal is currently on the agenda for a vote of approval.

Increased Awareness of Global Challenges and Best Practices: HDP offers a distinct opportunity to develop awareness of ongoing challenges and potential solutions among legislatures within the partnership. Multiple HDP alums reported this increased awareness helped them to more holistically understand issues such as transparency and corruption, increased their sense of empowerment with the knowledge that many legislatures faced similar challenges to those that exist in Peru, and inspired alums to consider solutions from a different perspective.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Parliament of Sri Lanka 

HDP established a partnership with Sri Lanka in July 2016 following a legislative assessment.

Since 2016, HDP has conducted nine engagements with the Sri Lankan Parliament including with both MPs and staff. 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Increased Commitment to Parliamentary Openness: HDP engagements with the Parliament of Sri Lanka have focused on several key themes, including legislative oversight, openness and transparency, and ethics. In addition to supporting overall capacity development of MPs and staff in these areas, HDP engagements have especially contributed to the Sri Lankan parliament’s expansion of legislative openness and transparency commitments. Based on interviews conducted over the course of the review, alums from Sri Lankan relayed that programs inspired them to engage more openly with constituents through increased action on social media and by promoting public access to committee hearings and plenary debate. A few programs were highlighted, including HDP’s inclusion of Sri Lankan members and staff in pre-conference events to Open Government Partnership (OGP) annual meetings in 2017 and 2019; these events also contributed to the Sri Lankan government’s development of two separate OGP National Action Plans, of which the government has since fulfilled 15 openness commitments, including one to increase public access to government information; formation of an Open Parliament Caucus including three CSOs as members; and the development and tabling of an Open Parliament Plan. Additionally, in 2019, following a visit by the Sri Lankan Deputy Speaker to the U.S., where he met with members and staff in Congress, the Speaker relayed commitments to improving public access to committee hearings and legislative debate in the Parliament of Sri Lanka based on lessons learned from interactions with his U.S. counterparts. These have already been carried out in some committees on the basis of direction by the respective Committee Chair.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the National Parliament 

HDP established a partnership with the National Parliament of Timor-Leste in 2006.

Since 2016, HDP has conducted two inbound exchanges and one technical assistance consultancy with the National Parliament; these engagements included both MPs and staff.

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Strengthening Research Capacity: HDP alums shared how engagement with HDP programming helped to strengthen both their individual and the parliament’s institutional capacity to conduct research. One HDP alum described how, following an HDP TAC, the National Parliament’s research practice had a stronger foundation for independent legislative research. The alum noted, “With support from HDP, we could establish the foundation of the research center in our parliament. We started out knowing very little about how to conduct legislative research, but through HDP there was a foundation established.” Additionally, another HDP alum, who participated in a previous TAC, focused on sharing U.S. CRS best practices for conducting and analyzing rigorous research, such as using reliable news outlets. The Timorese alum said, “Before, we did not know how to conduct research. We learned what is defined as legit[imate] resources for research. We learned to appropriately analyze.” 

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Assembly of the Representatives of the People 

HDP established a partnership with the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (ARP) of Tunisia in 2016, following a CODEL led by U.S. Representatives and HDP Co-Chairs David Price and Vern Buchanan.

Since 2016, HDP has conducted 12 total programs with the ARP (disaggregates shown in the below chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff. 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Increased Willingness to Conduct Citizen Engagement: One of the core topics throughout HDP engagement with the ARP has been the importance of citizen engagement. Over the past five years, the ARP has indicated an increased willingness to engage with constituents as a result of lessons learned during HDP programming. Inspiration for a digital platform to improve constituent engagement was a result of a 2017 regional exchange to Ukraine. An HDP alum was inspired to improve engagement and transparency with civil society by creating the digital platform to allow more direct insight into parliament’s work. 

MPs and Staff Increased Capacity to Fulfill their Roles: Multiple HDP alums reported an increased ability to effectively serve in their role as an MP or legislative staffer as a result of their participation in HDP programming. Reported skill gains included increased ability to support MPs in setting the strategy of their work; increased ability to properly organize seminars; and an ability to establish a program agenda that is responsive to the country’s economic situation.

Increased Interest in Democratic Advancement: Over the past five years, the ARP has increasingly demonstrated a willingness and interest in strengthening its democratic systems through its partnership with HDP. For example, the ARP initiated a request for support from HDP to help strengthen their legislative drafting processes; HDP was able to provide support in the form of a TAC. Additionally, several MPs engaged by HDP programming on oversight in early 2020 engaged in follow-on trainings on the same topic, organized under a separate grant, to deepen their knowledge and oversight skills. These are encouraging signs of an appetite for culture change and legislative growth by the Assembly, encouraged by engagement with HDP.

Number of Engagements between 2016 – 2020

Partnership and Engagement with the Verkhovna Rada

HDP established a partnership with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in November 2006.

Over the past five years, HDP has conducted seven total programs with the Verkhovna Rada (disaggregates shown in the chart); these engagements included both MPs and staff. 

Impact and Programmatic Highlights 

Advanced Role in Peer-to-Peer Mentorship: In 2017, the Verkhovna Rada served as a co-host, alongside HDP, in the organization and facilitation of a regional exchange involving 10 partner parliaments. The program was entitled “Open Parliaments: Parliamentary Ethics and Digital Outreach, and was organized as a pre-conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference subsequently held in Kyiv, Ukraine. In acting as a co-host during the regional exchange, the Rada was able to share progress and challenges with its fellow HDP partner countries, strengthening its role as a peer-to-peer mentor in the partnership. 

Sustained Interest in Advancing E-Governance: Regional exchanges that representatives from the Rada joined over the past five years have focused on advancing e-governance and digital initiatives. The continuation of involvement on programs focused on this theme indicates a sustained interest amongst the Rada in sharing and advancing digital initiatives to the betterment of the institution’s governance. An HDP alum indicated that the Rada was inspired to pursue assistance from the Government of Estonia, the co-host of HDP’s 2019 regional exchange, to support the introduction of Trembita, an e-system facilitating interaction of the Ukrainian state electronic information resources. Sustained engagement on this topic is a positive indication of the progress the Rada hopes to make in e-governance and the utility HDP programming provides in their efforts to advance.

Activities

• Regional Exchange: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Holding the Executive Branch to Account through Legislative Oversight (2020)

Themes

Oversight, Transparency

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

3 MPs

Activities

• CODEL (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• TAC: Legislative Oversight, Citizen Engagement and Constituent Services (2019)
• Regional Exchange: Regional eGA (2019)
• Virtual Exchange: Building Citizen Trust in Times of Crisis (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Oversight, Constituent Engagement

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

64 Participants: 27 MPs (14 women), 37 Staff (24 women)

Activities

• TAC: Colombia CAEL (2016)
• TAC: Supporting Technological Innovation for Transparency and Citizen Engagement (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Macroeconomic Budget Forecasting and Analysis (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Public Integrity Systems (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• TAC: Constituent Engagement (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Parliament’s Role in Strengthening Citizen Security through Democratic Engagement and Economic Development (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Building Transparency, Open Data, and Citizen Engagement (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Women Lead Seminar (2018)
• Regional Exchange: Strategies for Building Citizen Trust: Countering Corruption, Increasing Transparency & Working Together (2018)
• TAC: Legislative Transparency and Openness (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• Regional Exchange: Beyond the Walls of Parliament: Strengthening Oversight (4th gathering of parlamericas) (2019)
• Regional Exchange: The Americas Summit for Transparent Legislatures (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Holding the Executive Branch to Account through Legislative Oversight (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Maintaining Legislative Authority During a Crisis (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Oversight, Roles and Responsibilities, Ethics, Transparency and Openness, Legislative Procedure, Constituent Engagement

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

438 Participants: 40 MPs (16 women) 398 staff (132 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• TAC: The Core Functions of a Strong Legislature: Budget, Citizen Engagement, Committees and Policy (2019)
• CODEL (2019)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

36 Participants: 30 MPs (3 women), 6 Staff (1 woman)

Activities

• TAC: Building Robust Parliamentary Ethics Systems (2016)
• Regional Exchange: HDP e-Government Seminar (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Public Integrity Systems (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• CODEL (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Building Citizen Trust through Improved Parliamentary Communication and Citizen Engagement (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Building Modern, Professional and Representative Parliaments (2018)
• TAC: Developing Parliamentary Rules of Procedure and Effective Oversight of Defense and Security Services (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Women Lead Seminar (2018)
• CODEL (2019)
• TAC: Defense and Security Sector Oversight (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• Regional Exchange: Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector (2019)
• Regional Exchange: Engaging Citizens in Building a Secure E-Society (2019)
• TAC: Holding Members and Staff to Account, the Importance of a Committee on Ethics (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: A Parliament’s Role in Responding to Unprecedented Crisis (Overview of Legislative Importance in Economic & Agricultural Crisis Responses) (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Oversight, Transparency and Openness, Constituent Engagement, Ethics, Research

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

104 Participants: 50 MPs (16 women), 41 staff members (21 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available.}

_{** 13 participants were not disaggregated between MPs and staff.}

Activities

• CODEL (2016)
• TAC: An Effective and Representative Legislature: Creating, Collaborating and Communicating (2017)
• TAC: Guatemala: Parliamentary Procedure and Legislative Research (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Building Transparency, Open Data and Citizen Engagement (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Strategies for Building Citizen Trust: Countering Corruption, Increasing Transparency & Working Together (2018)
• TAC: Encouraging Economic Growth and Developing Ethical Guidelines (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Women Lead Seminar (2018)
• Regional Exchange: The Americas Summit for Transparent Legislatures (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• Regional Exchange: Beyond the Walls of Parliament: Strengthening Oversight (4th gathering of parlamericas) (2019)
• Virtual Exchange (three part series): Economic Reform in the time of COVID19; Immigration during COVID19; Strengthening of the Women’s Caucus (2020)
• Virtual Regional Exchange: Maintaining Legislative Authority During a Crisis (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Transparency, Legislative Procedure, Oversight, Ethics, Constituent Engagement

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

206 Participants: 61 MPs (33 women), 14 staff (3 women)*

_{* Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available.}

_{** 131 participants were not disaggregated between MPs and staff.}

Activities

• TAC: Developing Legislative Skills and Legislative Agenda (2016)
• TAC: Constituent Engagement and Strategic Communications with Parliamentarians (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Building Transparency, Open Data and Citizen Engagement (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Women Lead Seminar (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: District Office Communications and Citizen Engagement (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• Regional Exchange: Beyond the Walls of Parliament: Strengthening Oversight (4th gathering of parlamericas) (2019)
• Virtual Exchange: Advancing Committee Functions (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Constituent Engagement, Ethics, Transparency and Openness

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

131 Participants: 79 MPs (6 women), 52 staff (9 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available.}

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Macroeconomic Budget Forecasting and Analysis (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• Regional Exchange: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• Regional Exchange: E-Governance Seminar (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Women Lead Seminar (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• CODEL (2019)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Ethics, Transparency and Openness, Research, Legislative Procedure, Constituent Engagement

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

18 Participants: 7 MPs (3 women), 11 staff (8 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available.}

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• Virtual Exchange: Legislative Responses to the Gender Impacts of COVID-19 (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Effective Constituent Engagement During COVID-19 (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Constituent
Engagement

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

18 Participants: 3 MPs (2 women), 15 Staff (1 woman)

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Macroeconomic Budget Forecasting and Analysis (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Public Integrity Systems (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• TAC: Budgetary Processes (2016)
• TAC: Roles and Responsibilities: Citizen Outreach, Intergovernmental Communication and Policy Implementation (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: District Office Communications and Citizen Engagement (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Women Lead Seminar (2018)
• Kenya Self Funded Visit (2018)
• Regional Exchange: Africa Regional — Representing Constituents Through Effective Communication and Policies (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• CODEL (2019)
• TAC: Holding Members and Staff to Account: The Importance of a Committee on Ethics (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Holding the Executive Branch to Account through Legislative Oversight (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Oversight, Roles and Responsibilities, Constituent Engagement, Transparency and Openness, Legislative Procedure, Ethics

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

151 Participants: 61 MPs (19 women), 71 Staff (12 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available.}

_{**This figure includes a small number of Liberian participants.}

_{*** 19 participants were not disaggregated between MPs and staff.}

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Macroeconomic Budget Forecasting and Analysis (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Public Integrity Systems (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• TAC: Restoring Citizen Trust by Bolstering Ethics Systems and Establishing a Code of Conduct in the Assembly of Kosovo (2016)
• TAC: Constituent Engagement (2017)
• CODEL (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Building Modern, Professional and Representative Parliaments (2018)
• TAC: Building Modern, Professional and Representative Parliaments (2018)
• TAC: Party Caucus Staff Academy (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: District Office Communications and Citizen Engagement (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Holding the Executive Branch to Account through Legislative Oversight (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Bilateral Discussion (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Legislative Responses to the Gender Effects of the COVID-19 Crisis (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Constituent Engagement, Ethics, Research, Legislative Procedure, Transparency and Openness

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

124 Participants: 54 MPs (28 women), 70 staff (28 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• TAC: Committee Oversight (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Public Integrity Systems (2016)
• CODEL (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: The Representative Role of a Member of Parliament: Serving Constituencies Effectively and Resourcefully (2016)
• Regional Exchange: HDP E-Government Seminar (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Building Citizen Trust through Improved Parliamentary Communication and Citizen Engagement (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Building Modern, Professional and Representative Parliaments (2018)
• Regional Exchange: Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Holding the Executive Branch to Account through Legislative Oversight (2020)
• Virtual CODEL (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Oversight, Roles and Responsibilities, Transparency, Constituent Engagement, Ethics

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

95 Participants: 35 MPs (10 women), 60 Staff (26 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• Virtual Exchange: Legislative Responses to the Gender Impacts of COVID-19 (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

4 MPs (2 women)

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Macroeconomic Budget Forecasting and Analysis (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Public Integrity Systems (2016)
• CODEL (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• TAC: Budgetary Processes (2016)
• Regional Exchange: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• TAC: Legislative Orientation (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: District Office Communications and Citizen Engagement (2018)
• Regional Exchange: Africa Regional — Representing Constituents Through Effective Communication and Policies (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Women Lead Seminar (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• CODEL (2019)
• TAC: Liberia Political Party Caucuses Legislative Agenda Development (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Oversight, Constituent Engagement, Ethics, Legislative Procedure, Transparency and Openness

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

198 Participants*: 86 MPs (13 women), 112 Staff ( 13 women)

_{*This figure includes a small number of Kenyan participants.}

Activities

• CODEL (2016)
• Inbound Exchange:The Representative Role of a Member of Parliament: Serving Constituencies Effectively and Resourcefully (2016)
• Regional Exchange: HDP E-Government Seminar (2016)
• TAC: Advancing and Strengthening Public Hearings (2016)
• Regional Exchange: E-Governance Seminar (2017)
• TAC: Public Hearings (2017)
• TAC: Public Hearings: A Tool for Oversight and Developing Inclusive Legislation (2018)

Themes

Roles and responsibilities, Constituent Engagement, Oversight

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

230 Participants: 37 MPs (9 women), 193 Staff (92 women)

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: The Representative Role of a Member of Parliament: Survey Constituencies Effectively and Resourcefully (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Library and Research Services (2016)
• Ukraine Regional: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• Regional Exchange: E-governance Regional Seminar (2017)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Ethics, Transparency and Openness

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

12 Participants: 9 MPs, and 3 staff*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• CODEL (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Parliament’s Role in Strengthening Citizen Security through Democratic Engagement and Economic Development (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• TAC: Citizen Engagement and Parliamentary Research (2019)
• Virtual Exchange: Navigating the COVID-19 Response at the Member, Committee and Party Levels (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

114 Participants: 53 MPs (4 women), 61 Staff (1 woman) *

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Public Integrity Systems (2016)
• CODEL (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Building Citizen Trust through Improved Parliamentary Communication and Citizen Engagement (2017)
• Regional Exchange: E-Governance Seminar (2017)
• TAC: Constituent Engagement (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Building Modern, Professional and Representative Parliaments (2018)
• CODEL (2018)
• CODEL (2018)
• Regional Exchange: Engaging Citizens in Building a Secure E-Society (2019)
• Regional Exchange: Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• TAC: Parliamentary Budgeting and Appropriations (2019)
• Virtual Exchange: Building the Capacity of the Standing Inquiry Committee for Protection of Civil Rights and Freedoms in Parliament (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Constituent Engagement, Roles and Responsibilities, Oversight, Transparency and Openness, Ethics

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

109 Participants: 57 MPs (19 women), 52 Staff (5 women)

_{Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Public Integrity Systems (2016)
• Ukraine Regional: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Ethics

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

5 Participants: 5 MPs (1 woman)

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Macroeconomic Budget Forecasting and Analysis (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Public Integrity Systems (2016)*
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• TAC: Legislative Research and Budget Analysis (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: The Representative Role of a Member of Parliament: Serving Constituencies Effectively and Resourcefully (2016)
• Regional Exchange: Building Transparency, Open Data and Citizen Engagement (2017)
• CODEL (2017)
• TAC: Becoming an Effective Member of the Legislative Process: Collaborating, Communicating and Representing (2017)
• Regional Exchange: Strategies for Building Citizen Trust: Countering Corruption, Increasing Transparency & Working Together (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Women Lead Seminar (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)
• Regional Exchange: The Americas Summit for Transparent Legislatures (2019)
• Regional Exchange: Beyond the Walls of Parliament: Strengthening Oversight (4th gathering of Parlamericas) (2019)
• Inbound Exchange: Holding the Executive Branch to Account through Legislative Oversight (2020)
• Virtual Regional Exchange: Maintaining Legislative Authority During a Crisis (2020)
• Virtual CODEL (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Oversight, Roles and Responsibilities, Transparency and Openness, Legislative Procedure, Constituent Engagement, Ethics

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

255 Participants: 27 MPs (12 Women) 228 Staff (40 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Parliamentary Improved Library and Research Services (2016)
• Regional Exchange: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Parliament’s Role in Strengthening Citizen Security through Democratic Engagement and Economic Development (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Building Citizen Trust through Improved Parliamentary Communication and Citizen Engagement (2017)
• Regional Exchange: E-Governance Seminar (2017)
• TAC: Developing a System of Checks and Balances Through Legislative Oversight and Executive Collaboration (2018)
• Regional Exchange: Building Modern, Professional and Representative Parliaments (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Leadership Forum (2019)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Transparency and Openness, Constituent Engagement, Ethics, Oversight

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

119 Participants: 22 MPs, 97 staff (2 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• CODEL (2016)
• TAC: Methods for Collaboration with the Executive Branch (2016)
• Regional Exchange: Pre-Conference to the Global Legislative Openness Conference: Ethics and Integrity in Open Parliaments (2017)
• Inbound Exchange: Parliament’s Role in Strengthening Citizen Security through Democratic Engagement and Economic Development (2017)
• TAC: Citizen Engagement: Techniques for Including Citizens in the Legislative Process (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: District Office Communications and Citizen Engagement (2018)
• Inbound Exchange: Women Lead Seminar (2018)
• CODEL (2018)
• TAC: New Member Orientation: Developing Inclusive and Effective Legislation (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: A Parliament’s Role in Responding to Unprecedented Crisis (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Legislative Responses to the Gender Impacts of COVID-19 (2020)
• Virtual Exchange: Providing Quality Research Services for Member and Committee Offices (2020)

Themes

Roles and Responsibilities, Constituent Engagement, Ethics, Transparency and Openness, Oversight

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

133 Participants: 96 MPs (68 women), 37 staff (24 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• Inbound Exchange: Macroeconomic Budget Forecasting and Analysis (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• TAC: Advancing parliament’s External Relations and Research Services (2019)

Themes

Legislative Procedure

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

85 Participants: 22 MPs ( 8 women), 63 Staff (29 women)*

_{*Some program data did not have gender disaggregates available}

Activities

• TAC: Building Robust Parliamentary Ethics Systems (2016)
• CODEL (2016)
• Inbound Exchange: Strengthening Legislative Effectiveness through Improved Parliamentary Library and Research Services (2016)
• Regional Exchange: HDP E-Government Seminar (2016)
• CODEL (2018)
• CODEL (2019)
• Regional Exchange: Engaging Citizens in Building a Secure E-Society (2019)

Themes

Transparency and Openness, Ethics, Constituent Engagement

Participant Numbers – MPs and Staff

92 Participants: 6 MPs (2 women), 1 staff (1 woman)**

_{** 85 participants were not disaggregated between MPs and staff.}