Workshop on Orientation Program Set-Up with the Parliament of Montenegro

On April 7, 2022, 16 staff from the Montenegrin Parliament participated in an online event to hear about how different European Member State Parliaments organize Orientation training for new Members of Parliament. EUMSP staff from the Parliaments of Austria, the Czech Republic and the Hellenic Parliament shared their experiences on the practices they deploy to organize MP orientations, including when they are carried out, who conducts the orientation, what is coved and how, and if MPs receive any induction about carrying out their oversight duties.  

The aim of the activity was to assist the Montenegrin Parliament Secretariat to think about how they might start an orientation program for new Members.  The activity was welcomed and appreciated, 92% of staff responding to an exit questionnaire were satisfied with the activity, 92% indicated they learned new knowledge about setting up MP orientations and how to orient MPs on their oversight duties, and 84% of respondents indicated that they could use the information in their daily work. 

In the first Session, Ms. Sarah König, an Advisor in the Legal, Legislative & Research Services Division of the Austrian Parliament described how the Austrian Parliamentary administration set up a Service Center in 2013, which in 2019 offered three days of very comprehensive orientation using a services booklet, and a checklist so MPs would know of support available, including a dedicated hotline / single point of contact, information available via the intranet and individual support and training offers.  

Martin Kuta, an expert in the Parliamentary Institute, of the Czech Republic Parliament described how the Institute conceptualized the orientations it offers by considering what MPs need to know about parliamentary affairs, parliamentary business ( the functions, including oversight) and sectorial policies and parliamentary engagement.

The final session was presented by two staff members from the Hellenic Parliament.  Mr. Andreas Koskinidis, Head of Department for Questions and Applications to Submit Documents, described how the Hellenic Parliament orients MPs, generally, and regarding their oversight role. Mr. Isidoros Koutsogiannis, Officer at the Department for MPs and Parties, described the services that are offered to MPs which are explained to them in the beginning of their mandates.