The first in a series of AGORA Parliamentary Development Community of Practice events ‘Peer-to-Peer Parliamentary Strengthening’ online workshop, organised by INTER PARES | Parliaments in Partnership – EU Global Project to Strengthen the Capacity of Parliaments and the German Bundestag, was held on 17 November 2021.

The interactive workshop welcomed 92 participants from 37 countries. The program included 5 presentations from experts, 4 breakout rooms for discussion, and interactive networking activities. The objective of the workshop was to share innovations and challenges in peer-to-peer parliamentary strengthening, and to showcase the innovative use of interactive digital learning and communications tools including online polling, an interactive whiteboard, and virtual networking platforms.

The first part of the workshop introduced presentations of case studies on peer-to-peer parliamentary strengthening. Josua Namoce, Executive Advisor to the Speaker, Parliament of Fiji, shared a perspective from the Parliament of Fiji on the Pacific Floating Budget Office. Jon Davies, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK presented experiences from the Commonwealth. Dalila Maulide, Head of the International Relations and Cooperation Division, Assembleia da República (Portuguese Parliament) contributed  an example of a multi-parliament approach – the community of Portuguese-speaking Parliaments. Michael Mukuka, ICT Director, National Assembly of Zambia, shared novel approaches of the IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament, including Southern African Hub. Martin Kuta, Head of General Analysis Department, Czech Chamber of Deputies, presented incentive mechanisms for staff engaging in peer-to-peer parliamentary strengthening. To find out more about speakers to the Webinar, please read biographies.

After a lively discussion, held in an interactive networking activity on Hopin, participants joined conversations in four breakout rooms:

1. Beyond a teacher-student dynamic in peer-to-peer parliamentary support.
2. Innovative approaches to parliamentary capacity development.
3. Sharing knowledge across parliamentary systems: challenges and opportunities.
4. Integrating peer-to-peer support between elected officials and parliamentary administrations.

The first AGORA Parliamentary Development Community of Practice (PD CoP) session started a dialogue within the community of Parliaments doing peer-to-peer strengthening. Organisers mentioned that this is a first step on a way to widening Community of Practice. Many more similar events are planned as per the PD CoP concept-note and AGORA Secretariat stays open to any proposals.

Full Agenda is here.