The need for an orientation handbook for parliament members has never been greater. There are more democratically-elected parliaments, more parliamentarians, and more new parliamentarians than at any time in history. And in many, the turnover rate is very high - as high as 65% in some nations we have observed. Departing Members leave with the information, institutional memory and expertise they have acquired, leaving fewer experienced Members to assist new ones.

Not only are the numbers of new legislatiors higher than ever, but in many nations the work of parliamentarians is getting more complex, and more demanding. Since WWII governments have been controlling greater portions of national GDPs and expanding their involvement the lives of citizens. Parliaments, if they are to make significant contributions to governance, have to equip themselves to deal with more, and more complex issues.