Parliamentarians Professional Development

This book addresses the education and training of Members of Parliament (MPs). It examines existing training programs offered in various countries around the world, evaluates their strengths and weaknesses and makes recommendations for a new approach, which aligns the professional development of MPs to 21st century requirements. Contributors address the role of parliamentarians, how to prepare them for their multi-faceted functions, the importance of ethics in any program, the requirement for more sophisticated adult learning approaches, human resource implications and the need to reform existing education and training models. The book will appeal to scholars in the fields of political science, adult education and human resource management, as well as to parliamentarians interested in enhancing their skills so as to perform more efficiently and effectively.

This book will guide you on how to structure your training and how you prepare for the unique position of "parliamentarian." Topics include: * Deciding whether you are naturally suited to the role of parliamentarian and whether this is something that you really want to do. * Starting your parliamentary education. * Selecting your first jobs. * The work of the parliamentarian in detail, from the initial preparation prior to meetings to the follow-up actions that should be taken after each meeting. * Becoming a professional parliamentarian.

Bringing together a vibrant group of parliamentary scholars and practitioners, this innovative book questions what parliament should be in the 21st century and how it can be reimagined. to help restore faith in democracy.

Some of the most far-reaching and innovative parliamentary reform is occurring in Africa. While these reforms are not yet widespread across the continent, parliaments in some African countries are asserting their independence as policymakers, as overseers of government and as the guardian of citizens’ rights and needs. This book presents recent reforms in selected African parliaments – Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Benin, Zambia, Ethiopia, Liberia and Nigeria. It also presents cross-cutting innovations by African parliaments – in fighting corruption, in providing development to constituents and in combatting climate change. Many of the chapters are authored by African MPs themselves, making this a book ‘by MPs for MPs’, as well as being of interest to students and scholars of African Politics, and to those international institutions that support parliamentary development. African Parliamentary Reform is a joint initiative by the World Bank Institute, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Parliamentary Centre (Africa).