What do we mean by open democracy and a transparent and reliable government in times of crisis and how can we make it a reality? Participatory democracy and civic tech could be part of the answer.
There is a lot about the current situation with COVID-19 that is frightening and unknowable. However, there are also some extraordinary opportunities to do things differently – and do them better. There are some things that those involved in systems of governance can do to transform the current emergency into an opportunity to restructure gendered power norms and create healthier, more vibrant societies and communities.
Those interested in democracy and good governance should be alive to both the risks and the opportunities posed by the coronavirus pandemic – their voices could make the difference between setback and progress.
As ever, but especially during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, WFD’s priority is to support our staff and safeguard those we work with. That is why we are taking action across our programmes to minimise the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
Commonwealth organisations are hosting a three-day conference in London which begins today (4 March) which aims to put inclusion and accountability high on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda in June 2020. Over the last two years the UK Government has helped advance inclusion and accountability across the Commonwealth […]
This guide is an introduction to independent oversight institutions and their relationship with parliament. It addresses institutions’ mandates, leadership, reporting, and budgeting, from the perspective of parliaments with their role to establish, oversee, and collaborate with independent institutions in order to strengthen democratic governance
by Paul Dillane, David Davies of Llandinam Fellow in International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Across the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people face widespread discrimination and violence. More than a third of countries criminalise consensual adult same-sex relations.I In many countries, transgender people face extreme violence, not to […]
A global and country-specific analysis of parliaments’ relationships with Supreme Audit, Anti-Corruption, and Human Rights instututions.
Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), in partnership with Joaquim Chissano Foundation and the Institute of Governance, Peace and Leadership, conducted a High-Level Policy Dialogue on democracy development in Mozambique on 18 June 2019. The former President of the Republic of Mozambique, His Excellency Joaquim Chissano, was the patron of this High-Level Policy Dialogue on democracy […]
As the involvement of parliaments in the ex–post stage of law making remains under-theorised, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy has just released a new publication, providing an analysis of the main rules, practices and trends on PLS in Europe, focusing on the experience of seven national parliaments: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and the […]
Many factors limiting women’s participation in north Macedonia In the latest Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia, 45 out of 120 of MPs (38.3%) are women. Local councils established after the 2017 elections are 29.8% women. These numbers show progress in women’s political participation, but the figures still linger at the threshold of the […]
Being clear about how government allocates money to be spent – and on what – is one of the key aspects of modern democratic governance. Experience suggests that the best way to effectively manage public money is through having budgeting systems that are transparent, open to public involvement, and well-supervised by independent institutions. Empirical evidence […]
