PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR PARLIAMENTARY STAFF
Over the past few years, the World Bank Institute’s Parliamentary Strengthening Programme and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association have created a 14-module web-based professional development program for parliamentary staff (see forthcoming article in the next issue of The Parliamentarian).After extensive pilot projects in Africa, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, the first three modules are open for registration.
Module 1: Parliament and the Budget (January 19, 2009) The course, equivalent to 5 days (40 hours) of class room training, will start on January 19, 2009 and will last for approx.6 weeks. Topics covered will include:
Introducing the Budget; The Budget Process;
Parliamentary Approval of the Budget; The Audit of Public Accounts;
Opening up the Parliamentary Involvement.
Module 2: Parliament in Commonwealth Countries (March 9, 2009)
The course, equivalent to 4 days (32 hours) of class room training, will start on March 9, 2009 and will last for approximately 5 weeks.
Topics covered will include:
The Development of the Modern Commonwealth; The Role of the Speaker; Women in Parliament;
Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure; The Role of the Opposition;
Ministers, Members and Public Servants.
Module 3: Parliamentary Committees (May 4, 2009) The course, equivalent to 4 days (32 hours) of class room training, will start on May 4, 2009 and will last for approximately 5 weeks.Topics covered will include:
Parliamentary Committees;
Procedural and Administrative Support; Committees and the Law Making Process;
Government Accountability and Parliamentary Committees; Transparency, Participation and Outreach.
Places are limited, and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There is NO FEE for the participation.
Requirements for completing the course Participants are expected to commit at least 8 hours per week to the course, including reading through materials, participating in web-based discussions and completing an assignment (which can be done in groups).