Harnessing the Potential of Open Parliaments: A Roadmap for Strengthening Transparency and Citizen Participation in Africa
About the Parliamentary Network Africa | Written on September, 2022
Introduction
The dawn of the digital age and the era of rapid information exchange have brought new opportunities to foster openness, transparency, and inclusiveness in parliaments across Africa. A crucial element in this context is the Africa Open Parliament Index. The challenges faced by African parliaments, and the potential solutions through the use of technology and cooperation, become particularly salient when considering the evolving expectations of their citizens.
The Imperative of Peer Cooperation and Networking
The quest for transparency and participatory channels among African legislative institutions cannot be isolated from their need for cooperation and learning from best practices. Peer learning and cooperation play a vital role in mitigating the discrepancy in the degree of modernisation and openness among parliaments in the region.
One of the strategies identified is the establishment of Parliamentary Management Organisation (PMO) networks. Such networks can serve as an engine of change, catalysing a paradigm shift in parliamentary activities. The PMOs, which comprise various Democracy Management Organisations (DMOs) or Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), can interact directly with their parliaments and legislators to co-create open parliament reforms. These reforms not only fit into national action plans but also facilitate the measurement and implementation of parliamentary openness. By leveraging the expertise of these CSOs, parliaments can gain valuable insights into overcoming their challenges and realising their potential.
The Dual Dimensions of Parliamentary Openness
The effort to enhance parliamentary openness and transparency reveals two intertwined dimensions: material and political. The material dimension involves access to tools, human resources, and financial resources, while the political dimension requires courage from the parliament members to steer the institution towards transparency.
A key prerequisite for meaningful progress is political will. As societal expectations evolve, so too must the attitudes and actions of political actors. Without the willingness to embrace change, even the most innovative initiatives will remain unutilised. Parliaments must recognise that opening up to the public increases trust and confidence, reinforcing the perception that they are working in the citizens' interests. With this political will established, the expertise of CSOs can be tapped into to foster systemic improvements.
Enhancing Citizen Participation: Challenges and Solutions
One of the most pressing challenges for African parliaments is facilitating effective citizen participation. Three key impediments are identifiable: technological, procedural, and a lack of technical expertise.
Firstly, the lack of technological capacity within many parliaments prevents the implementation and utilisation of effective participation tools. Collaboration with CSOs, however, can help to bridge this gap. Secondly, even when the technology is available, there can be issues with its usability, either due to discomfort from parliament members or a lack of awareness among citizens. Lastly, entrenched traditional procedures can be resistant to change, which can impede the progress towards more transparency and accountability.
The road to overcoming these obstacles is likely to necessitate changes in parliamentary procedures to meet the demands of the new era. As parliaments become more transparent and accountable, and as citizens become more involved in the process, the legislative institutions can draw closer to the people they represent.
Conclusion
The transition towards more open and transparent parliaments in Africa is a multifaceted challenge that requires innovative solutions. Through cooperation, political will, and leveraging technology, parliaments can make great strides towards meeting the evolving expectations of their citizens. The path may be challenging, but the end result—a more engaged, trusting, and satisfied citizenry — is a worthy objective that underscores the vitality of democracy in the African continent.