Embracing Digital Transformation in the Parliament of Saint Lucia
About the Parliament of Saint Lucia | Written on January, 2023
The Need for Digital Transformation
The Parliament of Saint Lucia stands on the precipice of a significant digital shift, acknowledging the necessity of a robust digital transformation strategy and the need to be resilient in an increasingly technological world.
The Current State of Affairs
The Parliament of Saint Lucia, though small with a staff complement of just 15, recognises the potential benefits of digital technology. At present, employees often perform tasks outside their job descriptions, such as catering and mail delivery, due to the limited staff. The introduction of digital technology could streamline operations, freeing up the staff to focus on their primary responsibilities.
Two areas were highlighted as immediate beneficiaries of digital technology: transcribing handstands and technical support. The current process of transcribing handstands is laborious and time-consuming, with reporters having to type out each word by hand. As such, the Parliament seeks a high-quality speech-to-text programme to aid in transcription.
Technical support is another area that stands to benefit from digitalisation. The Parliament currently lacks an in-house IT department and relies heavily on the government's Information Technology services. As the legislature becomes more digitally transformed, the demand for a dedicated IT professional within the Parliament is anticipated to grow. The office of the clerk, along with the librarian, currently handles digital solutions.
Structural Changes for a Digital Future
Louis stressed the importance of updating the Parliament's internal rules and structures to facilitate a robust digital transformation strategy. This aligns with the mission of facilitating good governance, protecting individual rights, and keeping the public fully informed about parliamentary achievements and processes. The vision is to be a dynamic organisation, enabling the enactment of laws and providing unqualified and professional service to Parliament and the public.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for the necessary technology and capabilities to work efficiently in such situations. The Parliament managed to operate effectively during the pandemic without changes to standing orders. However, the experience highlighted the need for updating technology in the chamber, amending standing orders, and considering necessary infrastructural changes to allow virtual settings for members.
Challenges to Overcome
The journey to digital transformation is not without challenges. Foremost among them is finance. As a small Parliament, securing funding for digital initiatives is a recurring issue. Additionally, the lack of an in-house IT department and the need for more advanced IT capabilities among the staff present hurdles to digital transformation.
Communication with the public is another area requiring improvement. The Parliament's website is not up-to-date, and while there are plans to revitalise it, these efforts are hampered by financial constraints and a lack of technical expertise. The aim is to increase citizen engagement via the website through polls, question and answer segments, and regular updates.
Steps Towards Digital Transformation
Despite the challenges, some strides towards digital transformation have been made. Parliamentary sittings are broadcast live on the national station, YouTube, and Facebook. There are plans to add these broadcasts to the Parliament website once it's up and running.
Further discussions are in progress regarding informative television programmes about parliamentary practice and procedure, digital tours, and roadshows. Tablets have been provided to each Member of Parliament and some staff members with the aim of moving towards a paperless Parliament.
Zoom meetings have also been adopted, facilitating boundary commission meetings and other committee meetings in a hybrid form. This move recognises the busy lives of members and strives to make their work more manageable.
The Future of Legislative Power
The future vision for the Parliament of Saint Lucia extends beyond just digital transformation. There is an aspiration for a greater separation of powers between the executive and the Parliament, in line with the judiciary's established independence. The legislature's role in providing checks and balances, fostering effective debates, and ensuring the proper functioning of committees is crucial in this context.
Conclusion
The digital transformation journey in the Parliament of Saint Lucia offers a fascinating insight into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The Parliament recognises the power of digital technology in improving its operational efficiency, public engagement, and the enactment of robust governance. Despite financial constraints and a lack of technical expertise, the Parliament has shown an admirable commitment to navigate these challenges and take the necessary strides towards digital transformation. This journey is not just about adopting new technology, but also about reshaping the Parliament's operations, updating its rules and structures, and evolving to meet the needs of an increasingly digital world.