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On 6 November, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh, endorsed a recommendation by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) that “Parliaments should use updated Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Benchmarks on Democratic Legislatures as a tool to ensure their contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 16 (on inclusive and accountable governance)”.
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, over 100 countries have passed emergency laws or declared states of emergency. While science gives a strong justification for controlling the rapid spread of the coronavirus by limiting the movement of people, closing businesses and enforcing social distancing, there is a serious risk of creating an unintentional wave of authoritarianism by curtailing civil liberties on a massive scale.
Our planet needs democracy. To be exact, it needs environmental democracy. That is why Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is launching a new environmental democracy initiative to support the mutually dependent goals of strong democracies and protecting our planet.
Deliberative democracy complements representative democracy to enhance certain policy outcomes but should not be seen as competing against existing political authorities.
Published in 2017, this manual is designed to help support the experienced researchers to deliver training courses to the new or junior staff members, providing guidance on the important tasks: enquires, writing briefings, and an introduction to the core policies underlying parliamentary research work.
Myanmar | Guide |
How parliaments implement peace agreements, how they formally operate, and how they govern in relation to peacebuilding has an impact on the peacebuilding process. For WFD and other democracy assistance practitioners there are a few key takeaways for our work.
Around the world, certain limitations to our freedoms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been accepted as necessary to uphold our collective and individual right to public health, not to mention our fundamental right to life. As a result of this COVID-19 pandemic, key human rights are at risk due to the enactment of emergency laws that are sometimes inconsistent with international human rights law and standards.
What do we mean by open democracy and a transparent and reliable government in times of crisis and how can we make it a reality? Participatory democracy and civic tech could be part of the answer.
Albania is significantly vulnerable to climate change. The government has taken several initiatives to address climate change in the mid to long-term, such as the approval of the Action Plan of the National Strategy on Climate Change (NSCC) 2020-2030, the Climate Change Law (2020), the implementation of adaptation programs etc.
Albania | Report |
UPDATE AT 24/04/2020 at 08.40AM BST
A new constitution was introduced in Algeria in February 2016. This paved the way for more engagement with the public as new powers were given to the parliament. WFD’s work in Algeria is designed to support the Algerian Parliament in developing the skills to put these new powers into practice.
In 2017, with funding from the UK Embassy in Algiers, we launched a new programme working with the Algerian Parliament. This included inducting new MPs as well as providing guidance on how to communicate with constituents. WFD also linked MPs and staff in the Algerian parliament with counterparts in the UK, to learn and share experiences on how to strengthen parliamentary processes.
In 2019 WFD launched a programme to build on our previous engagements and further support the parliament in strengthening its legislative, oversight and representation functions, while also focusing on gender equality.
In 2017, with funding from the UK Embassy in Algiers, we launched a new programme working with the Algerian Parliament. This included inducting new MPs as well as providing guidance on how to communicate with constituents. WFD also linked MPs and staff in the Algerian parliament with counterparts in the UK, to learn and share experiences on how to strengthen parliamentary processes.
In 2019 WFD launched a programme to build on our previous engagements and further support the parliament in strengthening its legislative, oversight and representation functions, while also focusing on gender equality.
The Western Balkans countries have a long history of emigration but trends in recent years we have shown increasing numbers of young people leaving and based on many reports the levels are among the highest in the world.
In partnership with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), WFD conducted three series of Policy Dialogues on topical concerns that were of interests to the diverse population of Nigeria. The dialogues brought together a broad range of participants to reflect on the concerns, and to offer doable solutions.
Nigeria |
As part of a three-year programme (2018–2021), Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) prepared a landmark survey – the first dedicated study in the country – on Violence Against Women in Politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which also explores gender-based pressures faced by women politicians.
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Study |