Administration of Justice Practices
      - Judiciary
      - Legislature
Public Prosecution
      - Role, Status and Independence of Public Prosecution
      - Automation / Computerization of their Working Systems
Human Rights
      - Accused, Offender, Prisoner
      - Children, Juveniles
      - Women
      - Minorities, Refugees, Non-Citizens
      - Humanitarian Law
      - Prevention of Discrimination
      - Political, Civil, Economic, Social, Cultural Rights
Fighting Crimes
      - Investigation of Crimes
      - Prevention of Crimes
Types of Crimes
      - Fighting Corruption
      - Transparency Standards, Instruments
      - Organized Crime
      - Fighting Money Laundering
      - Financial Transparency
      - Terrorism
      - Cyber Crimes / Computer Crimes
      - Intellectual Property Crimes
      - Crimes against Women
      - Juvenile Delinquency
      - Crimes against the Environment
      - Trafficking in Persons
      - Trafficking in Drugs
      - Trafficking in Arms, Weapons
      - Crimes against Humanity (Genocide, Torture…)
Rule of Law and Governance
      - Democratic Governance
      - Development
      - Peace, Security
      - Protection of Human Rights
      - Role of Public Prosecution and Specialized Institutions
       Importance of Parliaments
      - Local Governance
Reform
      - Legal, Judicial Reform
      - Legislation, Constitutional Reforms
      - Political, Economic, Educational Reform
Gender
      - Issues Related to Gender
      - Women and Parliament
Victims
Witnesses
Civil Society

Importance of Parliaments

Handbook for Mauritanian Senators [ Arabic ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2009
This publication, prepared by the Mauritanian Senate in collaboration with UNDP, provides a practical handbook for the Mauritanian senators. It sheds light on the Mauritanian institutional structure, and discusses the Senate’s organization, and the different stages of the legislative process. It also discusses the oversight role of the Senators.

Parliamentary Development: UNDP Strategy Note [ English ]
Author(s): . 2009
The Parliamentary Development Strategy Note establishes a policy framework for UNDP activities in that field. After an extended review of the 2003 Parliamentary Development Practice Note, the new Strategy Note takes into consideration lessons from the field and emerging issues to provide practical advice for UNDP governance practitioners.

Arab Parliamentarians Handbook for Empowering Youth [ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2008
This handbook, published by UNDP in cooperation with the Arab Scout Parliamentary Union, and the Parliamentary Studies Programme at Cairo University, highlights the basic principles guiding youth policies, and provides Arab legislators with a draft youth law as well as an explanatory note on the draft law.

Assessing the Quality of Democracy: A Practical Guide [ English ]
Author(s): . 2008
A guide published by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The guide provides the means for a comprehensive assessment of democracy on a national level led by governments or civil society and academic institutions, rather than depending solely on conventional measures such as external country rankings and elections.

Evaluating Parliament: A Self-Assessment Toolkit For Parliaments [ English ][ Arabic ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2008
This toolkit, published by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), provides practical tools that parliaments can use to assess their democratic performance, thus helping parliaments identify their points of strengths and weaknesses, and prioritizes the areas that need further development. Topics highlighted are: the representativeness of parliament; parliamentary oversight over the executive; parliament’s legislative capacity; the transparency and accessibility of parliament; the accountability of parliament; parliament’s involvement in international policy.

Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit [ English ]
Author(s): . 2008
Toolkit intended for policy-makers providing a practical introduction on the significance and means of integrating gender issues into security reform. It contains 12 chapters mainly on the reform of defense, justice and penal system, police and border management, and on parliamentary and civil society oversight of the security sector. The toolkit is published by UN-instraw and the Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).

National Security Policy-Making and Gender [ English ]
Author(s): . 2008
Toolkit published by UN-instarw and the Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF). It may be useful to parliamentarians involved in security policy making processes. It highlights the benefits and opportunities of integrating gender issues into national level security policy making as that would increase the participation and the representation of all sectors of society that may be affected by the issue.

Public Opinion, Terrorism and the Jordanian Security Sector [ English ]
Author(s): . 2008
This study aims to analyze the relations between the different branches of the Jordanian state, civil and military based on a compilation of surveys and public polls.

The Internal Regulations of the House of Representatives: Commented Study [ Arabic ]
Author(s): Rachid Medouar. 2008
Study by Mr. Rachid Medouar, Member of Parliament, House of Representatives, Morocco.

Democratic Dialogue: A Handbook for Practitioners [ English ]
Author(s): . 2007
This study, published jointly by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), International IDEA, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to provide decision-makers, dialogue promoters and practitioners with a practical guide on how to organize, facilitate and assess dialogue processes. It combines conceptual and practical knowledge, while providing practitioners with an extensive repertoire of relevant tools, experiences and approaches adapted to the issue at stake, the local context and the stakeholders involved.

Parliament in the Arab Countries - Monitoring and Analyzing [ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2007
This book delves into the status of parliaments in each of Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Egypt. This project was implemented by the Arab Center for the Development of the Rule of Law and Integrity (ACRLI) in cooperation with the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) and the United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR).

The Rights and Duties of Members of Arab Parliaments: Comparative Study of Rules of Procedure of Arab Parliaments [ Arabic ]
Author(s): Mr. Adnan Daher. 2007
This book, published by UNDP’s Parliamentary Development Initiative, Presents a comparative overview of the rights and duties of Arab parliamentarians in the light of the Arab parliaments’ bylaws. The study discusses the sources of rights and duties of parliamentarians, members of parliaments’ right to join parliamentary committees, speak in general assemblies and committee meetings, and submit draft laws. The study also compares the Arab parliaments’ bylaws concerning parliamentarians’ oversight role of the executive power, parliamentary immunity, resignation, and their duties in attending parliamentary sessions.

The Role of Female Parliamentarians in Strenghtening Democratic Institutions [ English ]
Author(s): . 2007
Article published by Africa in Democracy and Good Governance (magazine) which tackles the issue of strengthening democracy through parliaments as they constitute one of the three main democratic institutions, the other two being the executive and judiciary. The main emphasis is on the participation of women in parliaments and the democratization process. The article highlights the way forward in terms of women parliamentarians forming networks within each country and between parliaments.

The Role of Parliament in the National Reconciliation Process in Africa [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2007
A handbook published by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). The handbook was followed by a seminar and focuses on the role to be played by parliaments in post-conflict societies during the transitional period and reconciliation process. The handbook and seminar describe lessons from past cases and point out pitfalls to be avoided during the process.

Conflict and a Gendered Parliamentary Response [ English ]
Author(s): . 2006
Article, Published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), advancing the argument that parliaments experiencing situations of crisis or recovery are presented with an opportunity to integrate a gender perspective into their core functions. Within the article is the argument that men and women are differently affected by conflict and hence a gender-sensitive approach is required to understand the differing needs of women and men in crisis situations and recovery processes.

Constitutional and Parliamentary Information [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2006
This review is published by the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP), a consultative body of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The review contains monographs on the organization and functioning of Parliaments, comparative reports of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments, as well as, whenever possible, texts of new national Constitutions and Standing Orders of Parliaments.

Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21st Century (Volume 1) [ English ]
Author(s): . 2006
This IDEA publication tackles questions on how democracies can deliver social and economic rights, include all citizens in decision making and reduce poverty. It explores ways in which democratic practice can contribute to the management of contemporary conflicts and promote the realization of security and development objectives. It is aimed at different stakeholders concerned with problems such as social exclusion, the quality of democracy and new forms of authoritarian regimes.

Empowering Parliaments through the use of ICTs [ English ]
Author(s): . 2006
A feasibility study conducted by the United Nations Development Program on empowering parliaments on the global and local levels through the use of ICTs as related to legislation, representation, and oversight. The study delineates the inherent difficulties and indicates that e-parliaments are still in the infancy stage even in developed countries. Developing countries on the other hand face greater challenges ranging from access and connectivity to democratization and governance.

Engaging Parliaments in The Millenium Development Goals: a Key Part of National MDG Strategies [ English ]
Author(s): . 2006
This study, published by UNDP, presents input made by several UNDP specialists around the world, who shared their experiences and information about how UNDP has supported parliaments in several countries in engaging in the promotion and achievement of Millennium Development Goals. The main topics discussed are: the role of parliamentarians in rich and developing countries in meeting the MDGs; legislatures in pursuit of the MDGs: a key part of national MDG strategies; best practices for European Union parliamentarians to meet the MDGs; references on parliamentary work on MDGs.

Freedom of Information and Access to Government Record Laws Around the World [ English ][ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2006
This guide, published by the freedominfo.org, is a part of a series of continuous survey of the freedom of information and access to government record laws around the world.

Parliaments, Crisis Prevention and Recovery: Guidelines for the International Community [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2006

Parliaments, Politics and HIV/AIDS: A Comparative Study of Five African Countries [ English ]
Author(s): . 2006
This is a synthesis report from a comparative study in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa on the effective use of parliamentary oversight in respect of the national responses to HIV/AIDS. It provides lessons learned and detailed analysis on the impact of parliamentary oversight of HIV/AIDS as well as key recommendations to strengthen the role of parliamentarians in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Global Programme on Parliamentary Strengthening [ English ]
Author(s): . 2006
This is the brochure for the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Global Programme on Parliamentary Strengthening (GPPS). The GPPS aims to pilot test legislative assistance strategies with a view to understanding the variables critical to the success of parliamentary democracy in developing countries.

The Public Sector in Palestine: Duties and Powers of the Palestinian National Authority Institutions [ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2006
This publication produced by Aman-Palestine introduces the legal framework governing public sector institutions in Palestine by reviewing the legislations by virtue of which these institutions operate, be it the ones implemented by the concerned institutions or the administrative legislations organizing their activity. The study identifies the weaknesses and strengths in the legal situation of public sector institutions in Palestine, as well as the problems faced by these institutions and the obstacles preventing them from discharging their .duties in an efficient way, and suggests practical measures aimed at improving the efficiency of these institutions.

The World of Parliaments: Quarterly Review of the Inter-Parliamentary Union [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2006
The Review, which replaces the IPU Bulletin, serves as a vehicle for the proposals of its member parliaments with respect to international cooperation and matters that directly concern the citizenry. Some of its features are an interview with a Presiding Officer of Parliament, a substantive article on IPU's activities, interviews, and an item on parliamentary developments in the world.

Building a New Iraq: Ensuring Women’s Rights [ English ]
Author(s): . 2005
This report, published by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, discusses women’s political participation in Iraq, including their role in building sustainable peace in the country and drafting the new constitution. It also includes biographies of some Iraqi women leaders and list of publications related to the new role of women in Iraq.

Democracy in the Making: Key Options in Iraq's Democratization Process [ English ][ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2005
This policy paper is aimed at the Iraqi political and social leadership representing different and conflicting visions, but is also relevant to those sectors of the international community called to provide technical, financial and political support to the transition process in Iraq. This policy paper addresses three discrete areas: constitution building processes, electoral system design and political parties in divided societies. It is based on a comparative global analysis undertaken by IDEA. It is meant to offer practical options on how to strengthen democratic institutions and processes.

Executive, Legislative and Judicial Powers, Checks and Balances and Judicial Independence: A Paper Prepared for the UN Project on Constitution Making in Iraq [ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2005
This study, prepared by NDI, focuses on the distribution of power between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the state.

Gender Mainstreaming in Parliaments: International Best Practices [ English ]
Author(s): . 2005
Paper Published by ONA-UNDP that serves as a guide for parliamentarians to facilitate gender mainstreaming into the main functions of parliament such as representation, oversight, and legislation. It also highlights emerging gender issues within these areas and ways to integrate them through a gender perspective.

Global Capacity-Building Initiative for Parliaments on Sustainable Development [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2005
This publication is a report of the conference held by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in 2005, on parliamentary capacity-building in the field of sustainable development. Experts and legislators from over 70 countries discussed the role that parliaments and parliamentarians can play in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and in advancing the agenda for sustainable development.

Handbook for Parliamentarians: Combating Child Trafficking [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2005
Jointly produced by the IPU and UNICEF, this Handbook focuses on concrete measures that parliamentarians can take to combat child trafficking. The Handbook serves as a catalyst for action, providing concrete examples of ways and means of building a protective environment for children and parliamentarians' role in this regard.

Human Rights - Handbook for Parliamentarians [ English ][ Arabic ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2005
This handbook provides an overview of the general principles governing human rights law and the obligations States have entered into under international this law. It discusses parliamentary action for the promotion and protection of human rights by giving examples of what parliaments and their members can do in this area.

Human Rights: Handbook for Parliamentarians [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2005
Published jointly by the IPU and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the handbook is intended for parliamentarians who want to familiarize themselves with the framework that has been set up since 1945 by the United Nations and regional organizations to protect and promote human rights. It presents the notion of human rights and the core contents of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It specifies the obligations of states to protect and promote human rights, and contains suggestions as to action that parliaments and their members may take to contribute to their implementation.

Lobbying Parliament: A Guide for NGOs [ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2005
This guide, published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) provides an introduction to various approaches and techniques for lobbying parliament. It includes an overview of lobbying campaigns, tactics for lobbying individual members of parliament and party caucuses, and guidelines for preparing a written submission to a parliamentary committee.

Making Reconciliation Work: The Role of Parliaments [ English ][ Arabic ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2005
This Guide is published by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). UNDP funded its translation to Arabic. The guide provides some insights into the particular role played by the parliaments in countries which have experienced or are going through transition from conflict, and highlights the pitfalls to be avoided on the road to reconciliation.

Nationality and Statelessness: A Handbook for Parliamentarians [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2005
Published jointly by the IPU and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the handbook provides parliamentarians with a broad description of the international principles regulating nationality and statelessness; discusses the rights and obligations of stateless persons as protected under international law; highlights the main causes of statelessness and suggests practical steps parliamentarians can take to help reduce the incidence of statelessness.

Official Structures in the Service of Research and Information in the Egyptian Parliament [ English ]
Author(s): Karim El Sayed & Ahmed Abdel Razek. 2005
The Egyptian Parliament offers technical and administrative assistance to its members through different organs, with the main objective of empowering MPs to carry out their legislative and control tasks and in this study an attempt is made to describe and evaluate the official institutional structures that offer information and research services in Parliament.

Parallel Structures for Parliamentary Research and Studies in Egypt [ English ]
Author(s): Dr. Ali El-Sawi. 2005
This report reviews the parallel information structures of the Egyptian People’s Assembly. It seeks to place these structures within a theoretical framework that facilitates a comparison with other cases in the area of performance evaluation and raising alternatives to enhance information efficiency in parliamentary debates.

Parliamentary Human Rights Committees [ English ][ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2005
This paper, published by NDI, focuses on the parliamentary human rights committees. It examines their power and mandates and their relation to other human rights actors. It discusses the best practices regarding the conduct of investigation and the legislative initiatives they can make. Finally, it suggests possible tools that members of parliament can use to pursue human rights issues.

Parliaments as Peacebuilders: The Role of Parliaments in Conflict-Affected Countries [ English ]
Author(s): . 2005
Paper published by the World Bank Institute.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers in Africa: Parliaments and Economic Policy Performance [ English ]
Author(s): . 2005
The report, prepared by the Parliamentary Centre, highlights very critical issues that are central to the success of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) implementation and focuses on the role that Parliaments and civil society groups can play in ensuring greater accountability in PRSP implementation. This review was conducted in four PRSP countries (Ghana, Niger, Tanzania and Malawi) in order to examine the strengths as well as weaknesses so far in the implementation of national PRSPs, and to identify the possible roles that parliaments can play to improve PRSP performance.

Report of the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2005
This IPU publication is the report of the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments that took place in New York at the United Nations Headquarters in September 2005. The participants discussed methods to help to bridge the democracy gap in international relations. The main topics discussed were: reform of the United Nations; terrorism and human rights; development; parliamentary involvement in international affairs; parliament and democracy in the 21st century; parliaments and the United nations; responsibilities of parliaments in international affairs; and parliaments contribution to democracy.

Re-tooling for New Challenges: Parliaments as Peace-builders [ English ]
Author(s): . 2005
Published by the Parliamentary Centre.

Strengthening Parliaments in Conflict/Post-conflict Situations: Case Study on Yemen [ English ]
Author(s): . 2005
Study presented by Mr. Ahmed Saif, Professor of politics at the American university of Sharjah

Supporting Parliaments as Mediators In Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations [ English ]
Author(s): . 2005
Prepared by State University of New York, Center for International Development.

The New Parliamentary Peacebuilding Paradigm in Africa [ English ]
Author(s): . 2005
Study published by the Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa.

The Parliament Press in Egypt 2000 – 2003: A Mechanism for increasing Awareness of the Legislative Institution [ English ]
Author(s): Dr. Ali El-Sawi. 2005
This study raises a number of questions that seek to give depth to the debate on the role of the parliamentary press. The analysis in this paper focused on a period from 2000 to 2003, which includes a national parliamentary election round in 2000. This election has seen some new phenomena that have left their mark on parliamentary life thereafter.

The Role of Parliament in Mastering Situations of Radical Change: The Creation of a Democratic Germany after World War Two and German reunification in 1990 [ English ]
Author(s): . 2005
Paper presented by the German Bundestag in the UNDP workshop “Strengthening the Role of Parliaments in Conflict and Post-conflict Situations”.

The Role of Parliaments in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations: Comparative Study of Five Arab Countries [ English ]
Author(s): Dr. Rima Habach. 2005
The present study aims at assessing the role of parliament in preventing, managing and resolving conflict. The assessment builds on field research conducted in four selected countries: Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen.

Vital Resources for Parliamentary Researchers: Perspectives and Experience from Around the World [ English ]
Author(s): Bob Gardner. 2005
This document collects reflections and analyses from legislative research services around the world on the challenges they have faced in providing responsive and high-quality analysis in the unique and demanding environment of a modern parliament, and the lessons they have learned.

A Parliamentarians’ Handbook On The Small Arms Issue [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2004
Study published by The Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa.

Child Protection: A Handbook for Parliamentarians [ English ]
Author(s): . 2004
This Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)/ United Nations' Children Fund (UNICEF) co-publication, launched at the IPU's 110th International Assembly in April 2004, serves as a catalyst for action, providing examples of parliamentarians' responses to the challenges of child protection and addressing 10 specific protection issues.

Fast Facts on Parliamentary Development - How UNDP supports parliaments [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2004
This report outlines the key points of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)'s parliamentary development activities, addressing both regional and thematic efforts.

Government Institutions Strengthening Component Local Government and Parliament Project Report [ English ]
Author(s): . 2004
This report highlights the achievements of the Center for Legislative Development of the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY/CLD) since 1993, in providing technical and administrative assistance to the Government of Lebanon through the Lebanon Relief and Redevelopment Project

Handbook: A Guide to Parliamentary Practice [ English ]
Author(s): . 2004
This Handbook is a practical guide on parliaments and their working methods. It is a tool for officials of international organisations who interact with parliaments to promote co-operation between these organisations and parliaments. It also provides useful hints to parliamentarians on the work of international organisations and how they can access the resources available in these organisations in the accomplishment of their mandate. The Handbook focuses on the policies and strategies of UNESCO with whose cooperation it has been written.

Handbook: Child Protection [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2004
Jointly produced by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UNICEF, this Handbook covers a wide range of themes related to child protection, including trafficking of children, violence against children, female genital mutilation, the sexual exploitation of children, children and war, and juvenile justice. The Handbook serves as a catalyst for action, providing concrete examples of ways and means of building a protective environment for children.

International Seminar for Chairpersons and Members of Parliamentary Human Rights Bodies [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2004
This publication is a report of the seminar that was jointly organized by the IPU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Members of parliamentary human rights committees gathered to learn from each other, as well as to explore ways and means of enhancing cooperation with different national and international stakeholders.

Parliament and Access to Information: Working for Transparent Governance [ English ]
Author(s): Toby Mendel. 2004
This report explains how implementing effective freedom of access to information helps increase the flow of information to the people, improve the performance of parliaments and media outlets in their respective democratic duties and strengthen the societies in which we all live.

Strengthening Governance: The Role of Women in Rwanda's Transition, A Summary [ English ]
Author(s): . 2004
Report published by the United Nations Office of the Special Advisor on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women (OSAGI). It examines and illustrates how women came to play a crucial role in governance and reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda, and occupy 49% of seats in parliament. It sheds light on the change in women's self perception and their contributions towards gender progressive policies within the administration, in additions to challenges they face.

Strengthening Parliament Involvement in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - Toolkit 1 [ English ]
Author(s): . 2004
"Legislative-Executive Communication on Poverty Reduction Strategies" - The handbook emerged from pilot activities, designed by UNDP in partnership with NDI, to strengthen the capacity of legislatures and civil society to participate in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP). This toolkit is intended to provide resources for different stakeholders on legislative involvement in poverty reduction. Some of the topics discussed are: legislative-executive communication on poverty reductions strategies; challenges to smooth legislative - executive communication; cultivating awareness of MDGs and clarifying the PRSP process; information categories and legislative resources on poverty; the communication tools for parliamentary committees; communication tools for the individual MP or party caucus; and media and technology as tools to improve communication.

Strengthening Parliament Involvement in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - Toolkit 2 [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2004
"Parliamentary-Civic Collaboration for Monitoring Poverty Reduction Initiatives" The handbook emerged from pilot activities, designed by UNDP in partnership with NDI, to strengthen the capacity of legislatures and civil society to participate in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP). It is intended to provide resources for concerned stakeholders on legislative involvement in poverty reduction. The toolkit sheds light on global initiatives for poverty reduction; assessing the potential for collaboration and identifying partners; building legislative-civic relationships; creating and maintaining monitoring strategies; maintaining a positive relationship through the monitoring process; and the use of monitoring findings.

Strengthening Parliament Involvement in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Toolkit 3: Legislative Public Outreach on Poverty Issues [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2004
The handbook emerged from pilot activities, designed by UNDP in partnership with NDI, to strengthen the capacity of legislatures and civil society to participate in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP). It is intended to provide resources for MPs, parliamentary staff, civic leaders, social networks and the international community on legislative involvement in poverty reduction. It sheds light on legislative public outreach on poverty issues through discussing the relation between poverty, national reforms and constituents; the reasons for conducting a legislative public outreach on poverty; strategies for pro-poor public outreach; institutional public outreach; outreach by committees; outreach by parliamentary party groups; individual efforts to communicate with constituents.

Strengthening Parliamentary Involvement in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2004
This series of handbooks was designed to strengthen the capacity of legislatures and civil society to participate in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP).

Training Manual for Gender Sensitive Budgeting [ English ]
Author(s): . 2004
The manual, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is designed for trainers and workshops facilitators on gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) and includes materials such as presentations and background information to be used during workshops.

Volunteerism and Legislation: A Guidance Note [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2004
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) jointly produced this Guidance Note. The Guidance Note results from a survey carried out among a selection of parliaments, governments and Red Cross National Societies. It is a practical tool aimed at assisting parliaments and other actors in developing an enabling legal environment for volunteerism.

Handbook for Parliamentarians: CEDAW [ English ][ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2003
This handbook, jointly produced with the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, offers a comprehensive and educational presentation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which is the most comprehensive international instrument on women's rights, and its Optional Protocol. The handbook presents the background to and content of the Convention and the Optional Protocol and describes the role of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which secures implementation at the national level.

Handbook for Parliamentarians: Eliminating the Worst Forms of Child Labour [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2003
This handbook offers an educational approach to this complex subject and to Convention N° 182, the cornerstone of international action to combat the worst forms of child labour. It provides examples of best practices and gives an overview of what parliamentarians can do to help eradicate the various forms of abuse to which child workers are exposed. It also proposes model instruments and reference material as aids designed to facilitate the work of legislators.

Parliament and the Media: Building an Informed Society [ English ]
Author(s): Nicolas Bouchet and Nixon K. Kariithi. 2003
This report is issued by the World Bank Institute (WBI) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) that are seeking to urge Parliaments and their Members to champion the protection of the media in support of good governance and democracy.

Parliamentary Development Practice Note [ English ][ Arabic ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2003
The present note establishes a policy framework for the services that United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provides in parliamentary development. It draws on the UNDP experiences and the expertise available throughout its network of 132 country offices. It will be updated every two years to incorporate new learning and policy advice.

Parliamentary Reform [ English ]
Author(s): . 2003
This book combines the proceedings of the 2nd annual conference of the Parliamentary Program of the Faculty of Economics & Political Science- Cairo University that has been held in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Egypt. The topic of the conference was parliamentary reform, various papers were presented on related issues.

Reconciliation after Violent Conflict: A Handbook [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2003
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) Handbook on Reconciliation after Violent Conflict presents a range of tools that can be, and have been, employed in the design and implementation of reconciliation processes. Most of them draw on the experience of people grappling with the problems of past violence and injustice. There is no ‘right answer’ to the challenge of reconciliation, and so the Handbook prescribes no single approach. Instead, it presents the options and methods, with their strengths and weaknesses evaluated, so that practitioners and policy-makers can adopt or adapt them, as best suits each specific context. It examines the context of reconciliation, the people involved, the instruments used, and the possible role that international community can play.

Ten Years of Strengthening Parliaments in Africa 1991-2000: Lessons Learnt and the Way Forward. Report of a Joint IPU/UNDP Survey [ English ]
Author(s): . 2003
This joint IPU - UNDP publication is aimed at securing a better understanding of the relatively new area of assistance to national parliamentary institutions. It presents the findings of a survey of programmes of assistance to African parliaments in the 1990s.

UNDP Practice Note - Parliamentary Development [ English ][ Arabic ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2003
The Parliamentary Development Practice Note establishes a policy framework for the services that UNDP provides in parliamentary development. It describes the niche of UNDP as a partner in parliamentary development, provides practical advice and guidance for UNDP governance practitioners and sets out key trends and lessons learned from parliamentary development experiences.

Handbook on Democracy Assessment [ English ]
Author(s): . 2002
The IDEA State of Democracy project has developed a comprehensive methodological tool that interested stakeholders can use to assess the functioning of their own democratic systems. The assessments are aimed at raising public awareness, sparking discussions and helping identify areas for reform. The project does not place countries in a ranking order, but rather focuses on progress or setbacks. The methodology was tested in eight pilot countries.

How UNDP Supports Parliaments [ English ]
Author(s): . 2002
A review of the United Nations Development Programme's legislative strengthening programmes.

Guidebook on Strengthening the Representative Capacity of Legislatures [ English ]
Author(s): . 2001
Guidebook, prepared for a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) training staff seminar and published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), that represents a practical guide for those designing programs to strengthen the representative capacity of legislatures. It surveys various programme options on the issue and potential difficulties that may be encountered during programme implementation.

Handbook for Parliamentarians Refugee Protection: A Guide to International Refugee Law [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2001
This handbook features a comprehensive and educational presentation of international refugee law and its development over the 50-year period following the adoption of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It gives an overview of the issues and explains what parliamentarians can do to help provide protection to refugees and displaced persons. It also proposes model instruments and reference materials to facilitate the work of legislators.

Refugee Protection: A Guide to International Refugee Law [ English ]
Author(s): . 2001
This handbook aims to inform parliamentarians about the founding principles and challenges of international refugee law and also to mobilize them, as policy makers, in the implementation of the law for securing adequate protection of refugees.

The Role and Practice of Legislative Hearings in Democracies: Examples from Germany and the United States [ English ]
Author(s): . 2001
The paper, Published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), is based on seminars that took place in China on legislative public hearings to provide Chinese participants with first-hand accounts on the context and functioning of such hearings in the United States and Germany.

USAID's Experience Strengthening Legislatures [ English ]
Author(s): . 2001
A Brief history of the USAID's Legislative Strengthening Program, June 2001 Center for Democracy and Governance, Bureau for Global Programs, Field Support, and Research.

A Guide to Legislative Research on the Internet: An Introduction to Parliamentary and Policy Oriented Web Sites [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
A guide published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) providing information on methods to use the internet for legislative research. It provides a list of search engines and websites on a diverse set of topics including constitutions, legislature, general research, ethics, and international treaties.

Creation of a Parliamentary Research Centre [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
Overview of the Cameroon experience in developing a parliamentary research center by M. Alim Garga, Centre for Parliamentary Research, National Assembly, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Governing Systems and Executive-Legislative Relations (Presidential, Parliamentary and Hybrid Systems) [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report examines three aspects of executive-legislative relations, the separation of powers, the removal from office and the structure of legislative parties and leadership.

Guidebook for Implementing Legislative Programs [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
This Guidebook is intended to assist staff implementing legislative programs in developing democracies. Some of the topics discussed are: the training methods; training the members of the legislature in effective committees, oversight and relations with the executive, and dealing with the public. It also sheds light on the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) experience in legislative drafting, institutional assistance such as staff training, libraries and publications, and information technology.

Guidelines for the Content and Structure of Parliamentary Web Sites [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): . 2000
The booklet contains the complete text of the guidelines as well as the accompanying IPU Council resolution which was unanimously adopted in May 2000 in Amman. The booklet is addressed primarily to Webmasters, information technology experts and all those working in the field of parliamentary information and involved in planning and realization of parliamentary Web sites. The Guidelines should be of particular interest to those parliaments that are currently embarking on Web-related projects.

Handbook on Legislative Strengthening [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
The USAID policy handbook, intended to assist the agency's field staff make informed decisions with regard to legislative strengthening strategies, outlines a framework for assessing the needs of legislative bodies and designing appropriate responses.

How to Conduct a Legislative Needs Assessment [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report discusses the legislative needs assessment, what should it do for decision-makers? When should UNDP respond to a request for assistance? From whom should requests for assistance come? What should an assessment review? How well does the legislature perform its lawmaking and oversight functions? And who should conduct the assessment? Sample Terms of Reference for Legislative Needs Assessment

Internal Organization of the Legislative Branch [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report analyses how legislatures are organized internally in order to expedite the execution of legislature functions of lawmaking, representation and oversight.

Lawmaking and Stages of Legislative Procedure [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report examines the lawmaking function of the legislature and the related processes of introducing, considering and enacting laws.

Legislative Chambers: Unicameral or Bicameral? [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report examines the question of how many chambers a parliament should have, a unicameral or bicameral system and the perception underlying each view.

Legislative Committee System [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report examines the committee systems and their role in shaping legislative outcomes.

Legislature and Constituency Relations [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report discusses the importance of legislative constituency relations, the key issues and challenges faced by legislatures in developing countries with regard to the legislative-constituency relations and the activities and structures to enhance these relations, such as reforming the electoral systems, opening the legislature to the public, public hearings, strengthening civil society groups, civic education, etc.

Political Parties in the Legislature [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report examines the party systems, party functions and the internal organization of parties in a legislature.

Public Participation in The Legislation Process [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
This document presents the summary of results from a nation-wide regional Survey and a national conference conducted by the National Council of Namibia and National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in 2000. The survey aimed to poll the people on Mechanisms topics concerning Namibia’s Legislative Process, communication between Parliament and the regions, enhancing communication between the regions and the public and enhancing information flow between Parliament, the regions and the public.

Towards Developing Arab Parliamentary Work [ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 2000
This book published by UNDP – POGAR, includes the proceedings of the Symposium on Arab Parliamentary Developmentheld in Beirut in 2000. The papers present a comparison between the Arab parliament’s regulations, as well as a comparison between their legislative functions. It also discusses the oversight role of Arab parliaments, and sheds light on the Lebanese parliamentary life. It also includes a plan for developing Arab parliamentary life, and highlights the challenges and possible domains for institutional development.

Women Politicians: A Global Force for Peace [ English ]
Author(s): . 2000
Recommendations and highlights from the women parliamentary conference published by the Center for Asia-Pacific Women in Politics. It provides guidelines for women parliamentarians to construct peaceful societies and for the removal of major causes of potential conflicts. It highlights a human security approach whereby security concerns are shifted from that of states to security of people.

Concept Paper on Legislatures and Good Governance [ English ]
Author(s): . 1999
A Concept Paper on Legislatures and Good Governance - based on a paper prepared by John K. Johnson and Robert T. Nakamura for UNDP.

Developing a Parliamentary Research Service, the Experience of Egypt [ English ]
Author(s): . 1999
Overview of the Egyptian experience in developing a parliamentary research services by Wafaa Ali Abdel Elah, Research Service, People's Assembly of Egypt.

Guidelines on the Rights and Duties of the Opposition in Parliament [ English ]
Author(s): . 1999
The representatives of African Parliaments meeting in Libreville from 17 to 19 May 1999 on the occasion of the Parliamentary Seminar on Relations Between Majority and Minority Parties in African Parliaments adopted these guidelines for the rights and duties of the opposition in parliament. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized the seminar at the invitation of the Parliament of Gabon.

Handbook for Legislators on HIV/AIDS, Law and Human Rights [ English ][ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 1999
The handbook provides examples of best legislative and regulatory practices gathered from around the world. Best practices are given for each of the twelve guidelines contained in the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights published in 1998 by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). It also presents concrete measures that legislators can take to protect human rights and promote public health in responding to the epidemic.

Report of the Second Tri-Partite Meeting on Follow-Up of the World Summit for Social Development [ English ]
Author(s): . 1999
A summary of the discussion that took place at the second Tri-Partite Meeting of Representatives of Parliaments, Governments and International Governmental Organizations.

Democracy and Deep-Rooted Conflict [ English ]
Author(s): . 1998
The handbook, published by IDEA, provides practical advice on how to broker peace in countries emerging from deep-rooted conflict and outlines options negotiators can draw upon when trying to build or rebuild democracy. The handbook provides a thorough overview of democratic levers - such as power-sharing formulas, questions of federalism and autonomy, options for minority rights, constitutional safeguards and many others.

Constituency Relations: A Two-Way Street, A Workshop for Members of the Palestinian Legislative Council [ English ][ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 1997
This document is a report of the workshop held by NDI in Palestine in 1996 titled "Constituency Relations: A Two - Way Street". The goal of the workshop was to discuss the different methods and tactics available to develop effective relations with the public despite shortages in resources.

Organization of the Parliamentary Session: Balancing Democracy and Efficiency [ English ][ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 1997
This document is a report of the workshop held by NDI in Palestine in 1997 titled "Organization of the Parliamentary Session: Balancing Democracy and Efficiency". The goal of the workshop was to discuss methods of increasing the efficiency of the plenary procedures, organizing the plenary in the absence of party mechanisms.

The Lebanese Parliament: Dynamics and Assessment, 1997 [ English ]
Author(s): . 1997
English abstract of the monograph "The 1992-1996 Lebanese Parliament" published originally in Arabic by the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies. The research focused on the performance of the Lebanese Parliament as the legislative branch of the government.

Committees in Legislatures: A Division of Labor [ English ][ Arabic ]
Author(s): . 1996
The paper published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) highlights the importance and responsibilities of legislative committees. It also describes the various types of legislative committees and the regulations governing each.

Constituency Handbook: For Members of Parliament [ English ]
Author(s): . 1996
The handbook is intended for parliamentarians in Malawi to assist them in working more effectively with their constituents. It includes methods for constituency outreach and contact information of individuals and organizations in Malawi.

One Chamber or Two? Deciding Between a Unicameral And Bicameral Legislature [ English ]
Author(s): . 1996
This research paper, published by the National democratic Institute (NDI), highlights the structure of legislative chambers and discusses the question of cameral selection. Its sheds light on the unicameral and bicameral legislatures, patterns of legislative structures and legislatures in practice. It discusses methods of reconciliation in a bicameral system as well as cameral change.

Presiding Officers: Speakers and Presidents of Legislatures [ English ]
Author(s): . 1996
This study, published by National Democratic Institute (NDI), sheds light on the general models of the presiding authority of legislature bodies. The study suggests three main models: the Westminster model, the U.S. Congress model, and the French Bureau model.

The First Months of the Palestinian Legislative Council [ English ]
Author(s): . 1996
This report published by NDI is an assessment of the Palestinian Legislative Council. It provides a snapshot of the PLC in its early weeks. Some of the issues covered are: the role of parties and factions in the PLC, the formal powers of the Palestinian council and constraints on it and its members, organization of the Council and its meetings. it also covered the Council structure, the legislative process, and the legislative executive relations.

Political Development and the Majlis Ash'shura [ English ]
Author(s): . 1995
The International Republican Institute (IRI) has conducted a survey of the development of popular governmental participation and the Majlis Ash'Shura (Consultative Assembly) in the Sultanate of Oman, one of the world's last remaining monarchies. This report provides an examination of these Omani political reforms and offers insight into their future.

Global Legal Information Network [ English ]
Author(s): .
GLIN is a project of the Law Library of Congress, which maintains and provides a database of laws, regulations, and other complementary legal sources. The documents included in the GLIN database are contributed by the governments of the member nations from the original official texts which are deposited, by agreement of the members.

Handbook on Parliamentarians and Policies to Reduce Poverty [ English ]
Author(s): .
This handbook, published by the World Bank Institute in collaboration with the Parliamentary Centre, examines the interplay between governance challenge, and the policy efforts being made to highlight action against poverty. It considers the most basic steps in poverty reduction strategies as well as the role of parliament in supporting poverty reduction via budget cycle. It also focuses on broader accountability of the executive and examines the constituency side of the parliamentarian's job. Finally, it discusses parliamentary capacity building to work against poverty.

Inter - Parliamentary Union - PARLINE Database [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): .
The PARLINE database (a derivative of Parliaments on-Line) is developed on the basis of official information provided by national Parliaments. PARLINE provides general information on each of the Parliament's chambers, description of the electoral system, results of the most recent elections, information on the presidency of each Chamber and information on the mandate and status of members of Parliament.

Inter - Parliamentary Union - PARLIT Database [ English ][ French ]
Author(s): .
PARLIT (a derivative of Parliaments and Literature) is a database of bibliographic references on the role, structure and working methods of national parliaments, and on electoral systems, constitutional law, history and political science.

Internal Communication: A Critical Function for Political Parties [ English ]
Author(s): .
A presentation, published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) explaining the importance of effective communication within political parties and how to maintain such communication within and outside the party. It also explains the significance of effective communication in evaluating progress and the efficient use of human resources, to assess programmes for the future development of the party, and to avoid information overload.

Legislatures Around the World [ English ]
Author(s): .
A web link from the US - CSPAN.ORG that provides alphabetical access to the web sites of national parliaments online with a reference to those with televised or broadcasted coverage.

National Parliaments from the Inter-Parliamentary Union [ English ]
Author(s): .
The IPU web link provides alphabetical access to the web sites of parliaments online.

Parliamentary Accountability and Good Governance: A Parliamentarian's Handbook [ English ]
Author(s): .
This handbook contains a collection of essays that focus on parliamentary accountability, the role of parliament as an important link in the chain of accountability between government and citizens. Each of the chapters focuses on some aspect of the challenge that parliaments must confront if they are to serve as institutions of accountability, one of the global requirements of good governance.

UNDP Parliamentary Strengthening Reference Material [ English ]
Author(s): .
A collection of writings prepared by consultants under contract with the United Nations Development Programme.