Dimension: 6.1.3 Public education about the work of parliament

This dimension focuses on parliament’s efforts to increase public understanding of its role and work. In order to maximize participation, the public should know not just where and when parliamentary processes take place, but also how they can participate in and influence decision-making. These efforts, which aim to ensure an active citizenry, should be non-partisan and should promote the basic principles of democracy.

Public Public All the members of a community in general, regardless of their citizenship status. education can take many forms, including direct interaction by MPs with the public through their constituencies, or opportunities to engage or visit parliament and its offices. Different groups within the community can also be targeted. 

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Aspiring goal

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “public education about the work of parliament” is as follows:

  • Parliament has infrastructure, policies, programmes and materials in place to educate the public about its work. Public education aims to improve the breadth and depth of public understanding of parliament and includes information about the role of parliament, as well as about the work that takes place in parliament and how to engage in it.
  • Public education programmes are provided nationwide and are designed to reach a broad range of stakeholders, including hard-to-reach communities. They are non-partisan and focus on promoting the basic principles of democracy.
  • Public education programmes provide opportunities to access parliamentary premises and observe the work of parliament in person. They are also available remotely.

Assess your parliament against this dimension

Assessment criteria

No 1: Education programmes

Parliament has developed policies and materials for nationwide programmes to educate the public about its role and working methods, as well as about how members of the public can engage in its work. 

No 2: Infrastructure and resources

Parliament has developed infrastructure and has allocated budgetary and human resources to support a range of public education programmes. This infrastructure can accommodate members of the public with special needs, including persons with disabilities. 

No 3: Accessibility

Public education programmes are easily accessible for all groups within the community. Various online and in-person tools are in place to ensure that education programmes reach all sections of society, including women, children, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural or remote communities. 

No 4: Non-partisanship

Public education programmes are non-partisan and promote the basic principles of democracy.

How to complete this assessment

This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based. 

The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:

  • Infrastructure, policies and materials for nationwide public education
  • Public Public All the members of a community in general, regardless of their citizenship status. education programmes promoted by parliament
  • The number of individuals taking part in parliamentary public education programmes per year

Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.

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Get help with this assessment

The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators. 

Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.

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