The Global Centre for Information and Communication Technologies in Parliament Daniela Giacomelli Programme Officer Global Centre ICTP ECPRD - Information and Communication Technology Working Group 6 October 2006, Vilnius, Lithuania

About  Technical cooperation initiative of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)  Launched at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis, November 2005  Establishment of the Global Centre in Rome

Promote the effective use and integration of ICT in Parliaments by:  Serving as an intermediary for sharing information, experiences and identifying best practices  Raising awareness on the use of ICT in parliaments, among the stakeholders at different levels  Facilitating project development and technical assistance to parliaments and IT management  Promoting research on emerging topics Objectives

How the Global Centre operates  Its work is guided by a Board composed of Speakers / Presidents of Parliaments  The Centre works as an alliance of: –Regional, national and sub-national assemblies –Bilateral and multilateral agencies –Academia and research centers –Private sector

Areas of work  Networking and Coordination  Technical Assistance  Research

Linking up with regional networks European Network African Network Americas Network Asia-Pacific Network ECPRD SADCPF Africa i-Parliament Action Plan NCSL??? ?????

Global Network of IT experts in Parliaments Objectives:  Providing members access to global discussion forums on ICT in Parliament  Facilitating the identification of technological solutions to address specific issues and needs  Keeping members informed on the developments in ICT for Parliament and on the United Nations work in this area  Allowing members to voice their interests and consulting them for input and advice

You can add value to the network  Join the network of IT experts in Parliament  Provide ideas and advice on the development of the network  Help identify needs and priorities through online forums

Next steps…  Dedicated area for members in portal of the Global Centre for ICTP: –Post documents and online discussion forum –IT experts database –Live in November 2006 

Areas of work  Networking and Coordination  Technical Assistance  Research

Technical Assistance Initiatives  In the field: –Africa i-Parliament Action Plan  Capacity Building: –Conferences on ICT in Parliament –Fellowship programs for hosting experts and trainees

Areas of work  Networking and Coordination  Technical Assistance  Research

Global Report on ICT in Parliament  Global survey on the use of ICT in parliaments  Case studies and overview of existing technical assistance projects on the use of ICT in parliaments

Questions

Annex: acronyms ECPRDEuropean Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation GCICTPGlobal Centre for Information and Communication Technology in Parliament NCSLNational Conference on State Legislatures SADCPFSouthern Africa Development Community Parliament Forum