International Legislative Modernization Working Group
A resource about modernization efforts for legislators across the globe
About the International Legislative Modernization Working Group
The International Legislative Modernization Working Group seeks to promote the exchange of experiences and insights about modernizing efforts for legislators across the globe. It is an initiative of POPVOX Foundation’s Comparative Legislative Strengthening Project, which helps make parliaments more effective, efficient, and transparent for legislators in various countries.
The International Legislative Modernization Working Group meets virtually to discuss topics relevant for legislative processes. Modernization Working Group members are currently-serving legislative staff (in local and capitol offices), committee staff, and institutional staff from Brazil, Chile, Ghana, Mexico, Portugal, and the United States. The working group is invitation-only; legislative staff interested in joining may fill out this form.
The International Legislative Modernization Working Group also stays connected through a regular newsletter with the highlights of each meeting, and policy reports on the most important issues discussed in the year’s meetings. To subscribe to the newsletter, please fill out this form.
Schedule
October 2023: Modernization
The group will assess existing modernization efforts in the participating legislative bodies.
November 2023: Committees
The group will explore how the participating legislative bodies carry out committee activities.
December 2023: Constituent Engagement
The group will examine how participating legislative bodies approach their relationship with constituents.
January 2024: Artificial Intelligence
The group will discuss possible ways to incorporate Artificial Intelligence into the working routine of participating legislative bodies.
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International Legislative Modernization Working Group Discusses Constituent Outreach
At a recent meeting of our International Legislative Modernization Working Group, participants discussed initiatives that promote constituent engagement, including Mexico's Portal Ciudadano & Chile's Congreso Virtual
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Beyond Tech: Insights from the International Legislative Modernization Working Group
Modernization goes beyond applying technological advancements to the legislative process. Rather, it also involves modernizing other components of what makes a legislative body work, such as rethinking committee work, staff training, and retention efforts.
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First Meeting of the International Legislative Modernization Working Group
At the first meeting of the International Legislative Modernization Working Group, participants who work in the legislatures of Brazil, Ghana, Mexico, Portugal, and the United States presented recent legislative modernizing initiatives from their countries and identified opportunities for cross-country experience sharing.
Additional Resources
A compilation of resources on modernization efforts in a comparative perspective that will be constantly updated.
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Senate Mashinani: Bringing Senators to Kenya’s Counties
In Kenya, during a “Senate Mashinani,” the entire Kenyan Senate relocates from the capitol in Nairobi to legislate from one of the country’s 47 counties, a reminder that often the most effective way for lawmakers to connect with the people they serve is to meet them — literally — where they are.
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Bússola Tech Webinar on AI in Portuguese-Speaking Parliaments
Bússola Tech hosted a webinar on AI in Portuguese-speaking Parliaments, featuring speakers from Angola, Brazil, Mozambique, and Portugal. Participants reported on how their legislatures are incorporating AI into their workflows.
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IPU and ASGP Launch Guide to Help Parliaments Promote Digital Transformation
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP) released a new guide on the digital transformation of parliaments at the 147th IPU Assembly in Luanda, Angola.
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International Innovations: Portal Ciudadano
The need to bring legislators closer to citizens led Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies to develop the Portal Ciudadano, a website that introduces the institution to the Mexican people.
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ParlAmericas and NDI
In 2021, ParlAmericas and NDI promoted a two-session event focused on the modernization of legislatures in Latin America. Their report summarizes key considerations for modernization in various countries.
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Organization of American States
The Organization of American States (OAS) also has a webpage on the modernization of legislative institutions that lays out their approach to the topic.
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International IDEA
International Idea has a broader report focused on the modernization of institutions more broadly, not just legislative ones.
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U.S. House Modernization Committee
The U.S. House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress studied and developed recommendations to make the House more effective, efficient, and transparent. The committee's final report is a good source of modernization ideas.
