Political Context
Throughout Central and Eastern Europe, poor technology infrastructure—particularly with regard to information and communication systems - is a major obstacle to building effective governing institutions. NDI has worked to address this handicap by developing IT programs that not only improve efficiency but also increase transparency in the legislative process, provide wider access to information about the work of parliament, and enhance communication between the public and Members of Parliament (MPs). IT programs in the region include constructing websites for parliaments, governments and political parties; teaching computer and internet research skills to MPs and staff; and creating computer resource centers.
Bosnia-Hercegovina
With funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), NDI implements IT projects with the state parliament and the Muslim-Croat federation parliament. NDI assisted the BiH parliament in developing its first official web site, and will train staff, clerks, and MPs to ensure that it is properly maintained and updated on a regular basis. NDI conducted an IT assessment of the federation parliament, and consulted with the General Secretary of its House of Representatives on the need for computer training and hardware/software. When the federation House of Representatives received funds from the government for equipment, NDI helped the parliament to draft and publicize a tender for the computer purchase. At the parliament's request, NDI offered a plan to enact the recommendations in its assessment, and consults with the parliament on IT needs and opportunities.
Croatia
In 2001 NDI performed an informal assessment of the Croatian parliament to determine the state of computer technology. Based on these findings, NDI provided the parliamentary reading room with four computers, for use by MPs and parliamentary staff. After the installation of the computers, NDI trained over 80 parliamentary staff members to support the work of parliament through enhanced research and communication. Later, in 2003, NDI began training MPs on ways to use computer technology for internal and external communication, with the use of such tools as e-mail and the Internet. Also in 2003, NDI equipped a new training room in the parliament building with four computers to use for these and other training sessions.
Macedonia
With funding from USAID, NDI completed the equipment installation phase of its IT program in the Macedonian parliament in 2002. NDI equipped parliament with a network of 150 personal computers (PCs) and 60 printers. Those computers were distributed to political parties and MPs based on proportional representation, with at least one PC for every political party holding a seat in Parliament. The next phase will focus on NDI-sponsored IT training based on the expanded PC network capabilities. In 2003, NDI will administer needs-assessment questionnaires to MPs and parliamentary staff in order to assess what level and amount of training is needed.
Montenegro
In December 2001, with support from the Royal Netherlands government and in cooperation with the Montenegrin parliament, NDI began implementing an information and communication technology (ICT) program. The goal of this ICT program is to improve parliament's legislative operations and pubic outreach. NDI provided equipment and software to improve the Assembly's voice and data infrastructure; supplied PCs to key MPs and staff; upgraded existing PCs to connect to the network; established a Resource Center for use by MPs and staff (and eventually the public); trained 50 staff on utilizing the new ICT infrastructure; and installed a new server and developed a parliamentary website to include information on public education and legislative information. NDI commenced training for 75 MPs and organized a study mission to the Dutch parliament for approximately eight MPs and key staff.
Serbia
In cooperation with Price Waterhouse and the US Embassy in Belgrade, NDI initiated a program in the Serbian parliament to increase its research capacity by setting up a resource center. The project not only has improved legislative research, but also has offered access to on-line legislative resources, developed the IT skills of staff and MPs, and improved communication between MPs and the public by establishing email access for MPs and staff. NDI initiated renovation work in October 2002 and completed the project in January 2003.
Contact Information
For more information on NDI's information and communications technology programs, please contact Chris Spence in Washington, D.C. at 202-728-5554.
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