Democratic Governance
DFID-UNDP-WBI Consultation on Parliamentary Development and Financial Accountability

Organized by the UK Department for International Development,
the United Nations Development Programme, and
the World Bank Institute

Hosted by the
Government of Belgium

Palais d’Egmont, Brussels
May 21 and 22, 2007

About the Consultation:
The UK Department for International Development (DFID), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank Institute (WBI) have decided to jointly organize a two-day meeting for the donor community to share recent experience and lessons learned on parliamentary development, with a particular focus on financial accountability.  The consultation will focus on donor approaches to parliamentary strengthening, including around the budget process – as well as donor lessons on what works, what doesn’t and why.  Special consideration will be given on how donor support can be harmonized and aligned with country priorities, identifying the sources of demand from such work and the political interests and incentives at play.

The Government of Belgium, as the primary donor for the UNDP’s Global Programme for Parliamentary Strengthening, has offered to support this discussion by providing the location and hospitality for the event; DFID is covering the costs of the invited speakers and certain other organizational costs.  The first day of the consultation will share recent reviews and evaluations on parliamentary development as well as discuss measures and standards of parliamentary performance.   The second day will focus on lessons learned in strengthening the role of parliaments in ensuring financial accountability and budget oversight – a topic that is receiving increased attention given the desire of donors to improve aid effectiveness through greater reliance on general budget support.  In addition, the second day will include a discussion of mechanisms for continuing an exchange among donors on the issue of lessons learned on parliamentary development.