Digitising Democracy: A Case Study on the Modernisation of the Nationale Assemblee of Suriname
About the Nationale Assemblee of Suriname | Written on September, 2023
Introduction
The adoption of digital tools and platforms in legislative bodies is a growing trend aimed at streamlining operations, enhancing security, and fostering transparency. The Nationale Assemblee of Suriname has embarked on a comprehensive modernisation initiative to achieve these goals. This essay delves into the various components of the initiative, analysing their efficacy and areas for improvement.
Collaboration and Information Sharing
The Nationale Assemblee has implemented a web-based platform designed to facilitate seamless collaboration among MPs, staff, and other stakeholders. The platform enables the sharing of blogs, community files, forums, metrics, and wikis. Importantly, the platform is structured around communities that act as repositories for legislative bills, agendas, and other essential documents.
Security Concerns
While the platform provides an array of collaboration features, it is essential to note that security is a critical concern. The access to these communities is gated by invitation, and depending on the role, members can view, edit, or own documents. While this tiered access offers a level of security, there is a need for a more robust cybersecurity strategy, particularly concerning the nature of the documents and the potential ramifications of unauthorised access.
Communication and Time Management
The platform also incorporates a mailbox and calendar feature to streamline the scheduling of meetings and the dissemination of documents. This integrated system simplifies the planning and execution of both in-house and public meetings.
Speaking Times Monitoring
In addition to these features, the system also has a unique feature that monitors speaking times during public meetings. Each political faction is allotted a specific time, and this allotment is carefully monitored. While this feature may appear trivial, it adds a layer of fairness and organisation to the proceedings, helping to balance the voices in the legislative body.
Public Engagement
The Nationale Assemblee has been proactive in reaching the general public through various channels. They operate a dedicated TV channel, a radio station, and even a YouTube channel to broadcast sessions. Although these platforms do an excellent job of maintaining public engagement, the next step could be to integrate feedback mechanisms within these platforms to better gauge public sentiment.
Document Management and Archiving
All bills and legislative documents are digitalised and stored securely. The process is designed to be swift, reducing bureaucratic delays. Although the system is robust, its efficacy could be enhanced by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to categorise, sort, and retrieve documents more efficiently.
Towards a Paperless Parliament
The initiative also aims to transition to a paperless system. Currently, the Parliamentary Library is still not fully digital, but efforts are underway to digitise all existing documents. This not only is environmentally beneficial but also reduces the risk of document loss.
Future Goals and Cybersecurity
Looking ahead, the Nationale Assemblee is evaluating the possibility of migrating to Microsoft 365 and is keen on incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its operations. However, with digitisation comes the increased risk of cyber threats. The parliament has taken steps to monitor data traffic and scan incoming and outgoing documents but needs to invest more in state-of-the-art cybersecurity infrastructure.
Conclusion
The modernisation efforts of the Nationale Assemblee of Suriname are commendable and align well with global trends. The transition to a digital platform for collaboration, document management, and public engagement has set a precedent. However, there are areas that require improvement, especially in terms of cybersecurity. As the legislative body continues its digital journey, it must remain vigilant against potential threats while striving for operational excellence and public engagement.