Course Overview
Parliaments are a fundamental aspect of democratic life, administrative governance and pluralistic political interaction, with the UN noting that Parliaments will play ‘a crucial role in shaping and implementing the post-2015 development agenda'.
Strengthening the capacity of Parliaments to work to optimum effect is a very important aspect of the entrenchment and flourishing of democracy and the political stability of any country. This five-day certificated programme has been designed for parliamentarians invested in the effective functioning of assemblies and parliaments in their respective countries.
The programme includes a focus on the division of powers, different types of scrutiny in parliaments, the role of budgeting and best practice in planning committee inquiries. Parliamentary business forms a strong component, ensuring delegates are fully equipped to deal with legislative matters and understand the roles of different parliamentary actors.
Topics Include:
- Different parliamentary models, including supra-national parliaments and inter-parliamentary assemblies
- The efficacy of different parliamentary models in scrutinising legislation
- The role of committees, including financing committees and allocating funds
- Organising and holding parliamentary inquiries effectively
- Agreeing and scheduling the legislative process
By comparing parliaments from around the world and building upon their own experience, participants will leave fully equipped to undertake and extend their roles within parliamentary processes.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course delegates will be able to:
- Clearly define the role of a parliamentarian and parliamentary support staff
- Strengthen parliamentary procedures and representation
- Gain in-depth knowledge of the objectives and scope of parliamentary work
- Improve capacity and support structures whilst reducing administrative burdens
- Analyse, enhance and evaluate Parliamentary performance
Agenda
Day 1
Different Types of Parliament
Westminster model and variants across the Commonwealth
Other Models (Presidential, mixed)
Westminster model and variants across the Commonwealth
Other Models (Presidential, mixed)
The role of the whips
The role of the speaker and the speaker's office
The leader of the house
The role of clerks
Urgent business and questions
Backbench business and government business
Parliamentary Debates
The role of the speaker and the speaker's office
The leader of the house
The role of clerks
Urgent business and questions
Backbench business and government business
Parliamentary Debates
Scrutiny of legislation in parliament
Scrutiny in committees
Debates and the roles of each house
Stages of a Bill
Delegated Legislation
Different types of Bill in different Parliaments
Parliament and the Courts – challenges to parliamentary sovereignty?
Scrutiny in committees
Debates and the roles of each house
Stages of a Bill
Delegated Legislation
Different types of Bill in different Parliaments
Parliament and the Courts – challenges to parliamentary sovereignty?
Challenges to Parliamentary Sovereignty?
The link between to what is discussed in Parliament and Court decisions
Approaches in different countries
The link between to what is discussed in Parliament and Court decisions
Approaches in different countries
Day 2
The Trustee or Delegate view of representation
Obstacles to Representation
New forms of representation: Constituency Development Funds
Approaches in different countries
Obstacles to Representation
New forms of representation: Constituency Development Funds
Approaches in different countries
Different forms of accountability
Oversight mechanisms in Parliament
Scrutiny of legislation
Scrutiny of the executive
Scrutiny of the civil service
Oversight mechanisms in Parliament
Scrutiny of legislation
Scrutiny of the executive
Scrutiny of the civil service
Holding an Effective Inquiry: Principles and Procedures
Types of committees
Representation, legislation and oversight in committees
Scrutiny by committees
The role of the Chairperson
Challenges for parliamentary committees
Select Committees in the Commons and Lord
Types of committees
Representation, legislation and oversight in committees
Scrutiny by committees
The role of the Chairperson
Challenges for parliamentary committees
Select Committees in the Commons and Lord
Day 3
Nature of Responsible Government
Executive Dominance
Parliamentary responses and opportunities
The Role and responsibilities of Civil Servants
Jurisdictional analysis
A Model of Parliamentary Power
Executive Dominance
Parliamentary responses and opportunities
The Role and responsibilities of Civil Servants
Jurisdictional analysis
A Model of Parliamentary Power
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