Date:27/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/27/stories/2007102758650400.htm

New Delhi

Capital hosts first e-Parliament

Staff Reporter

To spread best legislative practices

NEW DELHI: The Capital on Friday played host to the first e-Parliament consultation that saw participation of legislators, non-government organisations and academicians among others.

The group discussed issues pertaining to climate change and how good governance can be reinforced through e-Parliament.

The consultation, organised by the International Council of e-Parliament together with NGO Development Alternatives, discussed the concept of good governance and how it can be reinforced through e-Parliament.

“The objectives of the workshop include listing and discussing the views of various groups on governance pertaining to climate-related issues and to get their advice on how an e-Parliament headquarters in Delhi could be most helpful to legislators and civil society,” said e-Parliament secretary-general Nicholas Dunlop.

This global forum for democratic legislators around the world is aimed at spreading best legislative practices and good policy ideas, through a combination of video conferences and face to face international parliamentary hearings.

“While accessibility of information is a challenge, our community will also enable legislators to hear from civil society and academic experts and to exchange ideas and experience among themselves. Few legislators in the developing countries have the time or resources to find the best experts in the world who can advise them as they are shaping legislation and policy for their own countries. e- Parliament is a global forum for facilitating this,” added Mr. Dunlop.