New E-Learning Course on Open Parliaments!
Parliaments around the world are striving to become more open - strengthening transparency, accountability, and public participation to deepen trust and enhance democratic effectiveness. Achieving this is an ongoing, collaborative effort.
The Inter Pares team is pleased to introduce a new e-learning course designed to support that journey:
What you'll gain:
• Master the core concepts: Gain a solid grasp of transparency, accountability, and participation in an open parliament context.
• Understand the evidence: Review the global evidence base and our evolving understanding of these issues.
• Build an action roadmap: Develop a practical roadmap of actions you can take to implement reforms in your parliament.
Enroll now: https://lnkd.in/eEPPid8M
New Parliamentary Brief: Promoting Open Parliaments
In order to deepen public trust and enhance democratic effectiveness, parliaments around the world are aiming to become truly ‘open’ - a goal that lies in collaboration and continuous strengthening.
The new Parliamentary Brief: "Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations (PMOs): Partners in Parliamentary Strengthening,” developed by International IDEA’s Inter Pares project, explores the crucial, collaborative relationship between legislatures and PMOs to enhance transparency, accountability, and participation. Engaging PMOs helps parliaments design more discerning indicators of performance and provide context for stronger public dialogue.
Read the paper for key recommendations on fostering constructive partnerships and strengthening democracies.
Invest in Youth for a Stronger Democracy
The new Youth Parliamentary Academy (YPA) Toolkit, developed by International IDEA's Inter Pares, Parliaments in Partnership, with support from the European Union, is a four-day, in-person program equipping young people (around 20 per program) with the essential knowledge and practical skills for direct engagement with their parliament.
Key Takeaways for Future Leaders:
● Technical Knowledge: Understanding democratic principles and how parliament truly functions.
● Practical Skills: Building capacity in research, public speaking, analytical thinking, and effective team-building.
● Direct Engagement: Creating genuine entry points for continued connection with Members of Parliament and staff beyond the programme.
Equipping young people with these tools is a strategic investment for any parliament's future. How will your parliament empower the next generation?
Explore the toolkit and start planning your YPA today.
International IDEA champions dialogue and resilience at IPU-UNDP Conference
At a high-level workshop in Geneva, from 24-25 October 2025, representatives from International IDEA —including Katarzyna Gardapkhadze, Director of Global Programmes, and Jonathan Murphy, Head of Programme, Inter Pares — stressed that resilient democracies depend first and foremost on resilient parliaments.
Bringing together MPs and parliamentary experts, the event highlighted how good-faith dialogue, inclusive leadership, and proactive institutional strategies are essential for parliaments to withstand today’s pressures — from polarization and public distrust to cyber risks and foreign interference.
International IDEA emphasized that resilience is not about parliaments “bouncing back” but transforming forward: strengthening women’s leadership, reconnecting with disillusioned youth, and taking early action to prevent institutional capture. The core takeaway: parliaments must serve as stabilizing, forward-looking anchors of democracy in turbulent times. Learn more here.