Over the past few years, the World Bank Institute’s Parliamentary Strengthening Program and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association have created a web-based professional development program for parliamentary staff. After extensive pilot projects and a successful first year, we have several new courses in the pipeline for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Module 1: Parliamentary Strengthening for Curbing Corruption (September, 2009)
The course, equivalent to 5 days (40 hours) of classroom training, lasted for approximately 6 weeks and considered such topics as the role for parliament as a role model, legislator and representative in reducing corruption in a nation and improving the standards for fighting against it, and the impact of corruption on social, economic and environmental norms.
Module 2: The Role of Parliaments in Promoting an Information Rich Society/The Media (October, 2009)
The course, equivalent to 5 days (40 hours) of classroom training lasted for approximately 6 weeks and focused on parliaments and ATI. It aimed at helping parliaments to faciliate the flow of information between parliaments and the community via the media.
Module 3: The Role of Parliaments in Climate Change (Spring, 2010)
The course, equivalent to 2.5 days (20 hours) of classroom training will last for approximately 3 weeks and focus will focus on the ins and outs of Climate Change, and the role for parliaments in preserving the environment.
Module 4: Parliaments and Extractive Industries (Spring, 2010)
The course, equivalent to 5 days (40 hours) of classroom training will last for approximately 6 weeks and will look at the paradox of the oil, gas and mining industries’ role in a country’s economic growth and social development. Participants will learn that while there is great potential for the industry to offer opportunities for foreign direct investment, private sector development, government revenues, foreign exchange earnings, and employment, many resource-rich countries are currently inhibited with the resource curse and sit near the bottom of international human development indicator rankings. The moderated elearning program will discuss the relationship between Extractive Industries, weakened states, corruption, conflict, war and economic hardship. After discussing mechanisms behind the resource curse, learners will discuss methods for transforming a troubled resource-rich nation into a productive economic and social environment, specifically through parliamentary oversight, legislative and representative functions in the industry, and institution-building.
Places are limited, and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There is NO FEE for the participation.
Requirements for completing the course
Participants are expected to commit at least 8 hours per week to the course, including reading through materials, participating in web-based discussions and completing an assignment (which can be done in groups).
For more information, please contact Ms. Brooke Prater at parliamentarystrengthening@gmail.com
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