In 2017, WFD launched a new two-year programme in Morocco, funded by the British Embassy to promote inclusive and responsive governance in the Moroccan Parliament. This programme runs parallel to ongoing work with the House of Representatives (2016-2021) and House of Councillors (2016-2020).
In response to the protests of the Arab Spring, the King of Morocco introduced a new constitution in 2011. The new constitution strengthens the Parliament’s legislative role, and establishes the principle of gender equality. Both Houses of Parliament have developed Strategic Plans, setting out a roadmap to enact their new powers as set out in the constitution. Since 2011, WFD has been working with the Parliament to deliver on these commitments.
WFD is training MPs and parliamentary staff, to improve the effectiveness of committees and the quality of the laws they produce. In the long term, this programme sets out to make the Moroccan Parliament more representative, and more effective in holding the Government to account.
Since March 2016, WFD has also been involved in a European Union Twinning programme to support the Moroccan House of Representatives meet the commitments in the 2011 constitution. The programme brings together expertise from the French National Assembly and the House of Commons coordinated by WFD. To date, the programme has contributed to the adoption of a new law to introduce public petitions, and the development of research and library management procedures.
IT systems may not have the same allure as the human stories of politics, but improved IT infrastructure has the power to change the lives of voters and modern, reliable and accurate systems are essential for viable democracies. WFD is supporting a new system in Jordan.
