Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “participation in law-making” is as follows:

• The legal framework establishes the right to participate in the law-making process and the obligation for parliament to consult with people directly affected by proposals for laws.
• Mechanisms and processes are in place for public participation in the law-making process, including through public and committee hearings on or off the parliamentary premises, written submissions and the provision of comments on proposals for laws.
• Proposals for laws are presented in easy-to-understand language to facilitate participation. Sufficient time is allocated to participation processes, especially when they deal with complex topics. Public input is taken into account during the law-making process. 

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.

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “institutional capacity for public participation” is as follows:

• Parliament has a documented strategy or plan for developing public participation, as well as policies and practices for its implementation.

• A comprehensive set of mechanisms is in place enabling parliament to organize, coordinate and channel public participation in all aspects of its processes and activities.

• Parliament has easy-to-use tools to support public participation. These tools take account of different groups within the community, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, disadvantaged groups, and groups in remote areas or with limited digital access.

• Parliament monitors the level and depth of public participation and seeks feedback from participants on their perception of the experience. It uses this information to evaluate and refine the mechanisms and tools for public participation.

• Parliament dedicates sufficient resources to public participation activities.

• Public participation processes and activities are widely used by members of the public and are taken into account in parliamentary work. 

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “legal framework for public participation” is as follows:

• Parliament contributes to the protection of the enabling civic space necessary for effective participation in all areas of public life, including but not limited to parliamentary work. 

• A clear legal framework provides the right for members of the public to participate in parliamentary business, such as by bringing issues to the attention of parliament, contributing evidence to legislative and oversight processes, and commenting on proposals for laws. 

• The legal framework for public participation contains provisions that protect the privacy of people who engage with the parliament.

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “multilingual service delivery” is as follows:

• In countries with more than one official language, parliamentary information and services are available in all official languages.
• MPs are able to contribute to parliamentary work in any official language. Simultaneous interpretation between official languages is provided in plenary and committees.
• In addition to official languages, parliament endeavours to make at least the most important information and services available in languages that are widely used in the country.

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “combating sexism, harassment and violence” is as follows:

• Parliament has adopted a workplace policy for combating sexism, harassment and violence in parliament that is in line with national and international obligations and best practice.
• Parliament takes specific measures to protect MPs and others working in parliament who are subjected by third parties to threats, assaults, or sexist or sexual violence, including online harassment/cyberbullying.
• Parliament has a confidential complaints mechanism to receive and process complaints by MPs and staff. This mechanism is confidential; responsive to complainants; fair to all parties; based on a thorough, impartial and comprehensive investigation; and timely.
• Parliament regularly conducts awareness-raising and training programmes for MPs and staff on combating sexism, harassment and violence.
• Parliament monitors the effectiveness and impact over time of policies to combat sexism, harassment and violence in parliament, including by collecting baseline data and the experiences and perceptions of people working in parliament.

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “workplace environment” is as follows:

• The legal framework requires parliament to ensure the health and safety of MPs, staff and visitors to parliament. Health and safety policies and regulations are subject to regular monitoring and evaluation.
• Parliament provides a safe and functional workplace for MPs and staff with disabilities.
• Parliament’s rules of procedure enable MPs who are breastfeeding or caring for young children to fulfil their parliamentary duties, including voting.
• Parliament provides family-friendly facilities and services for MPs and staff, such as breastfeeding spaces, spaces for family members, and childcare facilities.
• Parliament takes measures to facilitate work-life balance for MPs and staff, including predictable sitting hours and session periods, flexible working hours, and opportunities for virtual participation and remote working. 

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “workforce diversity” is as follows:

• The legal framework establishes that parliament is an equal-opportunity employer and provides for non-discrimination in the recruitment, employment and advancement of parliamentary staff.
• Parliament has a gender equality policy or plan that includes a clear and detailed set of objectives and processes for achieving gender balance within the parliamentary administration, including at senior levels.
• Parliament adopts positive approaches that provide real opportunities for all groups in society, including underrepresented groups, to be included in the parliamentary workforce. Human resources policies place a special emphasis on the recruitment, retention and promotion of underrepresented groups.
• Workforce diversity, including gender balance, is regularly monitored. Data on the composition of the parliamentary administration is publicly available. The effectiveness of diversity and gender equality policies is regularly reviewed.

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “youth inclusion” is as follows:

• Parliament regularly consults with youth organizations with a view to developing effective mechanisms for including young people in formal and informal political processes.
• Parliament provides young people with meaningful opportunities to engage in core aspects of parliamentary work, including the work of its committees. Such forms of engagement are substantive and influence parliamentary decision-making.
• Parliament has developed diverse, meaningful and youth-friendly programmes for youth inclusion and education, including programmes developed in conjunction with schools, universities and youth organizations.
• Parliament gathers data and participant feedback on its youth inclusion and education programmes for the purpose of continuous improvement.

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “gender-responsive budgeting” is as follows:

• The legal framework requires the executive to produce a gender budget statement to accompany the draft budget.
• Parliament has a dedicated body or bodies responsible for supporting gender-responsive budgeting, which have established procedures and authority to obtain supplementary information from the executive.
• Parliament has sufficient research and analysis capacity to support gender-responsive budgeting. MPs have access to training on gender-responsive budgeting and to information needed to support their work.