Study visit of the National Assembly of Zambia to the Austrian Parliament

Sharing lessons on digital tools that make parliaments more accessible and responsive to citizens

The Inter Pares – Parliaments in Partnership programme, funded by the European Union, convened a collaborative work stay between the Austrian Parliament and the National Assembly of Zambia from 29-30 April, focused on strengthening digital parliamentary practices through partnership and exchange.

This initiative centred on enhancing institutional approaches to website and content management – key elements in ensuring transparency, accessibility, and citizen engagement in parliamentary work. As part of the programme, staff from the National Assembly of Zambia engaged in an immersive learning experience within an EU Member State parliament.

Throughout the exchange, participants built practical skills in areas such as website content management, navigation, accessibility, and on-demand information services. They also gained first-hand insight into how the Austrian Parliament structures and delivers its digital communication, while engaging directly with parliamentary staff to share experiences and best practices.

Beyond technical capacity-building, the activity fostered meaningful dialogue and long-term institutional collaboration. Expected outcomes included a joint post-shadowing report capturing key lessons and recommendations, as well as individual briefing notes outlining how newly acquired approaches can be adapted and applied within the Zambian context.

The value of the visit extended beyond skills and knowledge. For the participants, it was also a deeply personal and transformative experience. As one member of the Zambian delegation reflected: "When you are exposed to a place you are not used to, it creates room for growth – going back home will not be the same, we will be going back home reenergised and revamped."

Through initiatives like this, Inter Pares continues to invest in knowledge-sharing, innovation, and peer-to-peer cooperation to support more open, effective, and responsive parliamentary institutions worldwide.