"Strengthening Parliamentary 
Democracy" Project”

The ‘Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy’ project of Parliament of Bangladesh, supported by UNDP, aims at improving the legislative and oversight functions of Parliament and, in general, promoting democratic practices. The main areas of focus include:

q       Revision of the Rules of Procedure

q       Support to the Committee System

q       Review and restructuring of the Parliament Secretariat

q       Strengthening of Parliament Security

q       Enhancement of the role of women in Parliament

q       Increasing public awareness of parliamentary activities

q       Establishment of an independent Institute of Parliamentary Studies

q       Conducting orientation/training programs for MPs and Parliament Secretariat staff

q       Improving library and research facilities, conducting research in related fields

q       Setting up of a Parliamentary printing press

The project was initiated in 1997 and is funded by UNDP, DFID/UK, the Netherlands, Denmark and the Government of Bangladesh. It is executed by the Parliament of Bangladesh and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Revision of Rules of the Procedure

An International Parliamentary Expert of the project prepared an exhaustive report on the revision of the Rules of Procedure that emphasized reforms in the legislative process and financial matters, re-structuring of the parliamentary committee system, rights and status of the opposition, etc.  Another report by a national consultant identified a number of areas where revisions of the Rules of Procedure could be considered. Both of these reports were submitted to the Hon. Speaker in 1999.  A three-member sub-committee of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, to whom these reports were referred, made substantial progress in its examination of the proposed amendments but did not submit its report before the seventh Parliament was dissolved.

The sub-committee of the Committee on Rules of Procedure in the present eighth Parliament continued an examination of these reports and will submit its report containing recommendations for amendment of the Rules of Procedure. A comparative matrix was developed  in June 2002 to highlight the major recommendations of the reports with reference to the existing rules and practices in the Jatiyo Shangshad, the British House of Commons, the Indian Lok Sabha and the Australian House of Representatives.

Support to the Committee System

The DFID/UK assisted component of the project mainly focuses on strengthening four parliamentary committees particularly those concerned with finances.  This strengthening is to be achieved through  updating of the record-keeping systems; training of the Secretariat Staff assigned to the committees; organizing orientation programmes for the Chairmen and Members; and improving facilities. A study aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the finance committees in the performance of their oversight role will be undertaken when these committees are formed in the eighth Parliament.

Organizational Review of Parliament Secretariat

Two International Experts and a National Counterpart undertook a comprehensive review of the Parliament Secretariat in July -August 2002.  This mission aimed at assessing the human resource and financial management of the Parliament Secretariat, formulating recommendations for change and suggesting means of implementing the recommendations. The report was presented to the Hon. Speaker and Senior Parliament Officials in September - October 2002. A committee is working to implement the recommendations of the mission.

Strengthening Parliament Security

An International Security Consultant studied the security risk of the Parliament Building in July-August 2001 and submitted his report to the Hon. Speaker and Serjeant-at-Arms. The report included recommended organizational and management changes related to the more effective use of security staff and equipment. 

Public Awareness of Parliament activities

The training of media representatives also was undertaken.  An International Media Adviser carried out a needs assessment and based on the results of the assessment, the following programs were organized:

Ø      Two English language courses: preliminary and advanced for 37 participants (40 days),

Ø      Course on Parliamentary practices and procedures for 14 journalists (5 days),

Ø      Course on Advanced Reporting Techniques and News Writing (6 days),

Ø      A one-day Round Table on Parliament Media attended by senior parliamentary officials and media representatives.

Role of Women in Parliament

The project has started to work towards the enhancement of the role of women in the Bangladesh Parliament. To date, the main areas of work include facilitating the development of a consensus formula for reserved seats for Women in the Parliament and encouraging the networking of Bangladesh Women MP’s   and women MP’s of other countries in the region.

Bangladesh Institute of Parliamentary Studies (BIPS)

In accordance with the provisions of the Bangladesh Institute of Parliamentary Studies Act, the BIPS was established in 2001. The functions of the BIPS are as follows:

q       Rendering expert assistance in parliamentary matters so that MP’s play a more effective role in Parliament.

q       Conducting research on issues of parliamentary interest.

q       Arranging seminars, conferences, workshops, and orientation courses on parliamentary conduct and practices.

q       Arranging training programs for officers and staff of the Government and the Parliament Secretariat with a view to enhancing the level of awareness, developing a sense of duty and increasing efficiency.

The Act provides that the stewardship of BIPS shall be entrusted to a Governing Board chaired by the Speaker. An Executive Committee consisting of seven members is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Governing Board. A full-time Rector acts as the chief executive officer and reports to the Board through the Executive Committee and is responsible for the administration of the Institute.

On the appointment of the Rector and operation of the BIPS, most of the work that the project now performs in the area of orientation and training will be undertaken by the BIPS.

Orientation and Other Programs for MP’s

The Project organized the following programs for Members of Parliament in 2002:

Ø      Three three-day Orientation Programs attended by a total of 52 MP’s,

Ø      A one-day Round Table on “Role of an MP in Parliamentary Democracy” attended by 35 MPs,

Ø      A three-day seminar on ‘The Budget: A Planning and Oversight Tool’ attended by a total of 87  MP’s and senior government officials,

Ø      A one-day workshop on ‘Procedural Aspects of Budget `Debate’ attended by 29 newly elected and experienced MP’s.

During 1999-2001 the project organized a number of activities, including the following:

Ø      An international conference on Bangladesh committee system attended by 500 MP’s and others,

Ø      An international conference on Bangladesh Parliament in the 21st century attended by 450 MP’s and others,

Ø      A round table on Parliamentary Diplomacy in international relations attended by 40 MP’s,

Ø      A seminar with the visiting Australian Parliamentary Delegation attended by 40 MP’s,

Ø      A computer orientation course attended by 50 MP’s, and

Ø      A program organized by ETV attended by 45 MP’s.

Training programs for Parliament Secretariat Officers and Staff

The project also conducted the following training courses for parliamentary officials in 2001:

Ø      Three foundation courses for 67 Class I officers at the entry level. (92 days) The courses  primarily focused on the rules of procedure, rules on service matters and rules and instructions on performance of duties in government offices,

Ø      One Advanced Legal Training Program for 23 officers (50 days), and

Ø      Two Communicative English Language Training Courses, (preliminary and advanced) for 18 officers (40 days).  These courses were delivered by the British Council.

The project offered three fellowships to parliamentary officials. Two of the fellowships involved  taking academic courses at the Royal Institute of Public Administration (RIPA) in London, England and another, an attachment to the British House of Commons.

Further, in 2001-2002, the project also organized several courses to develop the computer skills of parliamentary officers and staff as follows:

Ø      General and Advanced Computer Orientation Courses (15 days). 325 officers and staff participated in 28 groups,

Ø      Bijoy 2000 (10 days). 24 staff members participated in 2 groups,

Ø      Hardware Maintenance (30 days). 4 staff members participated,

Ø      Web Page Design (20 days). 5 staff members participated,

Ø      Training for Trainers (80 days).  6 staff members participated,

Ø      Network Management (30 days). 5 staff members participated.

Improving Library and Research Facilities

The Legislative Information Centre (LIC) of the Parliament Secretariat was set up with the assistance of the Project. The LIC provides an archive service to the House and the Parliament Secretariat as well as access to valuable records on parliamentary practices and procedures of other countries.  It has a reading room exclusively for MP’s and a computer centre with access to Internet and e-mail facilities.

The LIC contains a rare collection of documents (over 100,000) covering the entire history of the Bangladesh Parliament as well as parliaments of other countries. It  preserves official gazettes, Journals of the House, Reports of Committees, volumes of Sessional Papers, Judicial papers and bound editions of Bangladesh newspapers.  It provides access to the latest publications on scientific, historical, political, legal, international affairs, economic and other subjects.   Emphasis is placed on the collection of documents related constitutional and parliamentary affairs.

Setting up of a Parliamentary Printing Press

The project also established a Parliamentary printing press capable of printing all parliamentary proceedings, particularly the urgent and confidential printing needs of Parliament, the proceedings of the committees and question periods, and the printing of bills. The broad distribution of such documents is an essential tool for the work of the Members in the House. It is estimated that approximately 200-300 pages need to be printed every day, multiplied by about 1000-1500 copies for distribution to MPs and others. In June 2001, the press became operational with the recruitment and training of press staff.

Publications

The project has initiated the publication of a number of books and. Forthcoming   publications include:

In June 2000, the project also initiated publication of a semi-annual Newsletter with the latest issue being June 2002. (click here for access)

A text on the "Rulings of the Speaker” is being updated and is expected to be ready for publication by end of 2002.