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Capacity Building

increased their knowledge of the
importance of public hearings
and their understanding of how
to organise them. Furthermore,
they acknowledged to have gained
important confidence to run public
hearings and identify suitable topics
to be discussed at these events and
expressed their hope to immediately
put their newfound skills, awareness,
and confidence to engage more
The workshop was based on a needs effectively with the public into use.
assessment. Since the establishment of Bhutan’s The workshop was attended by with 66
first parliamentary system in 2008, the National participants including the Honourable Speaker,
Assembly had only conducted one public Honourable Chairperson, Opposition Leader and
hearing. The needs assessment
revealed that 75 percent of the
participants had not participated
in any public hearings or public
hearings training. Several barriers
were identified in holding public
hearings: institutional barriers,
financial constraints, human
resources constraints relating to
lack of knowledge, awareness
and confidence. Practice, through
conducting public hearings, will help
to build the confidence of MPs and
parliamentary staff, institutionalize
procedures and gradually, over time,
change the norms and cultures
surrounding public hearings. Many agreed that the other Parliamentary Members. It also saw the
pandemic accelerated the digital transformation participation of the parliamentary committee
of parliaments and the uptake of digital tools to secretaries and staff from both houses of
effectively engage with the broader community. parliament. Daniel Hachez, Head of Cooperation
This is expected to address some of the resource of European Union (EU) Delegation and other
constraints. distinguished representatives from the EU attended
The interactive workshop consisted of group the opening session. The workshop was funded
exercises, role plays, case studies and sharing by the EU under “Project ‘Nyamdrel | Support
of best practices by a representative from the to Parliament of Bhutan and CSOs”, jointly
Danish Parliament. Participants found the implemented by International IDEA and Helvetas
training to be highly engaging, stimulating, and Bhutan.
Karma Dena
International IDEA
Credit: International IDEA
Link of original article published:https://www.idea.int/news-media/news/workshop-encourages-
bhutan%E2%80%99s-parliament-adopt-public-hearings-engage-citizens

October 2022 | VoICE International | 71