WORKSHOP F - PARLIAMENTS AND PMOs
A delegate speaking at the Workshop
information. Public education around the role of Parliaments is a very crucial component and the technology could be employed to assist this area.
Benefits of using technology in Parliament
Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, MP, acknowledged that while Parliament has an overarching role of legislation, budgetary control and oversight of the Executive, it also has to partner with civil society organizations like PMOs for openness, transparency and participation of the society. Large volumes of information is being discussed and communicated every day and if Parliaments are to be effective, they have to take advantage of the opportunities that ICT provides in disseminating such information. This is significant in promoting democracy to ensuring access to information, transparency and proper accountability including public participation is in place.
Parliamentary monitoring organizations are there to provide access to information about Parliament and its functioning, public policy and legislation with the aim of making Parliament and MPs more accountable to citizens. Getting citizens to be more active in the affairs of the country, through different platforms, is one of the main credentials of a democratic government.
As a result the functions of PMOs are to explain how Parliament functions and encourage public participation. The role played by PMOs differs from country to country. When Parliament and PMOs work together, it closes the information gap that exists between Parliament and its citizens, better explains the legislative process and helps people understand the legislation in its simple form. Moreover, it helps monitor and assess the functioning of Parliament of their individual members, resulting in more
transparency and openness and an increase of accountability. Dr Kunbour highlighted a few factors that make it difficult to attain these technological aspirations, the first one being the cost of infrastructure; technology is still expensive within the African continent. The second factor is accessibility. Some MPs do not have access to computers or laptops. Research conducted by the World Bank Institute concluded that 20 per cent of respondents did not have access to personal computers. Third, is the lack of knowledge of new technology. While the internet has been globally welcomed, it still poses a risk to democratic dialogue. Its openness offers the means for disaffected individuals or groups to carry out activities intended to undermine democratic institutions. The Freedom of Information Act, which is still to be passed in many countries, is another challenge since
most Parliaments are unwilling to divulge sensitive information. Dr Kunbour proposed a number of solutions to the effect that PMO’s could use part of its donor-sponsored funds to educate MPs and citizens about the benefits of ICTs. He also urged MPs to obtain personal computers and internet services. In the meanwhile they could engage with citizens through the use of mobile phones.
The role of Parliamentarians and PMOs
Hon. Dave Levac, MLA, highlighted two perspectives: using technology to its full potential in disseminating parliamentary information; and the Parliamentarians role in promoting civic understanding of Parliament. He indicated that the rise of social media and ICTs has increased the speed and breadth of political information. However there has not been any increase
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