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In 2017, Westminster Foundation for Democracy launched a two-year programme to support research and information management in the Parliament of Botswana and improve methods to engage citizens with the parliament’s work. Working with parliamentary staff from the Research and Library, Hansard, Public Relations, and ICT departments as well as those who support committees, the programme aimed to foster improved, evidence-based policymaking and increase citizen participation in legislation and policymaking. The programme closed in 2019.
In 2020, the world came up against the COVID-19 pandemic which caused serious health and national crises. Managing the pandemic and its consequences became the priority issue for most governments across the globe. The majority of countries implemented temporary measures such as quarantine that limited certain civic rights. In particular, the freedom of movement and assembly were directly affected by governments’ responses to the pandemic.
Albania | Study |
Disability inclusion promotes democracy. To promote a consistent approach to inclusion of persons with disabilities in political party activities in Kenya, a document containing minimum standards on disability inclusion has been developed. This is through a WFD and Demo Finland facilitated a participatory working session with representatives from disability rights civil society organizations, disabled persons organizations, and political parties. These representatives have identified and brainstormed on the critical aspects/domains that political parties should focus on to improve their disability inclusion efforts.
Kenya | Guide |
The “Principles for Post-Legislative Scrutiny by Parliament” is a policy document aimed at assisting parliaments interested in initiating or strengthening practices of Post-Legislative Scrutiny (Post-Leg). It summarises relevant
practices based on lessons learned from parliaments in the UK and partner parliaments of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). The Principles discuss the mandate to conduct Post-Legislative Scrutiny in Parliament (the “why”), the scope (the “what”), the participants (the “who”), the processes (the “how”) and the timing (the “when”).
practices based on lessons learned from parliaments in the UK and partner parliaments of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). The Principles discuss the mandate to conduct Post-Legislative Scrutiny in Parliament (the “why”), the scope (the “what”), the participants (the “who”), the processes (the “how”) and the timing (the “when”).
Guide |
This synthesis report is the product of a collaboration between the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the University of Oxford’s “Parliaments, the Rule of Law and Human Rights” research project. The report is based on case studies examining the parliaments and parliamentary human rights committees of six countries (Georgia, Macedonia, Serbia, Uganda, Ukraine and Tunisia) using a set of key practices. This synthesis report presents a set of general recommendations for strengthening parliamentary capacity in ensuring the protection and realisation of human rights, as well as country-specific recommendations.
Report |
Two recent developments in the Lebanese Parliament show the progress being made in the country to achieve the sustainable development goals and uphold human rights.
Lebanon |
The Solomon Islands is a micro-island nation with a population of around 700,000 spread over six main islands and more than 900 smaller ones. The nation has been self-governing since 1976 and has a Westminster-style political system. One key feature of this system is that members of parliament from all parties form committees, which scrutinise government actions – from new laws to public debt management. This is one way in which accountability and transparency can be upheld in a democracy.
WFD worked to enhance the National Assembly’s overall effectiveness through increasing parliamentary oversight capacity, transparency, and accountability as well as increasing participation and engagement between the National Assembly and civil society. WFD analysed the secretariat of the National Assembly, gave recommendations to the management and produced two e-learning modules on post-legislative scrutiny and gender-responsive budgeting. WFD worked closely with civil society representatives to enhance gender-responsive budgeting tools and introduce them. In June 2021, Westminster Foundation for Democracy marked the conclusion of its most recent programme in Armenia.
Armenia |
A group of community leaders from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina visited Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland with WFD to learn how citizens and local government worked together to solve problems and improve their city.
Starting from 2019, WFD’s Western Balkans regional office has been working on developing a comprehensive index of transparency of political parties. Together with a group of regional experts, WFD has continued its work in the course of 2020 in order to develop the Political Party Transparency Index (PPTI). The index consists of 67 individual indicators which are placed in three connected pillars: Internal party democracy (IPD), financial transparency and public outreach. During 2021, the PPTI was applied for the first time in partnership with 23 political parties from the Western Balkan (WB) region.
Report |
The study unveils the vulnerabilities of women by exploring how climate change affects their social, economic, cultural, and political lives in both rural and urban areas.
Georgia | Study |
In a consultative workshop with the Indonesian Parliament on 21–23 October 2020, WFD brought together parliamentary and civil society leaders to discuss the reasons behind the disconnect and co-create solutions. The forum agreed that there is a persistent public distrust towards the parliament.
Since 2007, WFD has been working in Uganda to support more inclusive, accountable, and transparent political systems and institutions – such as the Parliament of Uganda. So far, our programmes have supported, and continue to support, greater access and inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in formal and informal political processes. Additionally, they have facilitated scrutiny of government performance including progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Recently, WFD held a women parliamentarians’ forum in Morocco to advocate for the establishment of a parliamentary working group/committee dedicated to equity and parity.
Morocco |
This study identifies the opportunities for, progress made, obstacles to, and consensus on national policies and strategies for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Mozambique. It articulates ways forward for building an inclusive society and achieving social justice.
Mozambique | Report |