Parliamentary strengthening project
In 2007, a UNDP Project Design Team (PDT) visited Nauru to
design a Parliamentary Strengthening Project. The PDT identified a
number of challenges faced by the Nauru Parliament, particularly in
respect of lack of financial and physical resources, and lack of
training opportunities for staff. The PDT prepared a project
document outlining how these challenges could be met.
The Parliament of Nauru began work on implementing the
Parliamentary Strengthening Project in 2009. Whilst Parliament is
yet to secure external funding for the project, it has already been
possible to make some progress towards the project goals.
The Parliamentary strengthening project has three components:
strengthening the Parliament Secretariat, building the capacity of
Members of Parliament, and engaging with the public. These three
project components are directed towards three distinct goals or
target outcomes: what the project hopes to achieve is -
- A strengthened Parliament Secretariat that is able to provide
efficient services to Members of Parliament
- Accountable and responsive Members of Parliament with the
capacity to effectively discharge their law-making, oversight and
representative functions; and
- Greater understanding among members of the public in terms of
their role and the role of their MPs as effective participants in a
participatory and representative democracy.
The project document outlines a number of activities for each
component of the Project, aimed towards achieving these target
outcomes.
Among the things originally recommended by the UNDP Project
Design Team that have since been achieved are: provision of
computers for all staff, improved internet access for staff and
members, offices for all members, and better access to legal
counsel for Parliament. Among the principal things that Parliament
is presently working on in terms of parliamentary strengthening are
the development of a detailed work plan, a comprehensive human
resource development framework, and an operational plan. The
Secretariat will soon embark on the development and implementation
of an improved workflow plan for hansard production, and training
for staff in the provision of Committee services.
The Clerk and the Parliamentary Counsel are required to provide
quarterly updates to the House Committee on the progress of the
project.