GOPAC Message on the International Day of Parliamentarism 2022

Doha – Public engagement is crucial for the work of parliament. As the representative of the people, it is ideal for parliamentarians to engage with the citizens in every area of parliamentary work. An engaged and vibrant public will help parliament to better exercise their duties of law-making, budget preparation, and oversight agenda. It is also a significant tool to combat corruption.

GOPAC welcomes the Global Parliamentary Report 2022: Public Engagement in the Work of Parliament recently published by the IPU and the UNDP as a reminder that every parliament needs to make its way to strengthen public engagement both in the national governance and in the parliament. Civic participation allows parliamentarians to access more information, ideas, or issues that might be overlooked and build consensus on policy issues. Parliamentary engagement also ensures civic space for public debate and promotes inclusive community participation in law-making or public policy formulation in order to assure that no one is left behind.

As the only international network of parliamentarians dedicated to combat corruption, GOPAC will actively promote the role of parliamentarians to take measurable actions in public engagement through various programs and activities, particularly through the Global Task Force (GTF) Open Parliament and Participation of Society.

GOPAC highlights the need of parliaments to be open to the public through the use of current technology and to guarantee public access to information. Only by keeping ourselves open, the citizens can have the required access to better engage with the parliament.

On this year’s International Day of Parliamentarism, GOPAC urges fellow members and parliamentarians to advocate for a more Open Parliament. From this day forward, Parliamentarians should collaborate and work hand-in-hand with the community to attain parliaments who are responsive, participatory, and inclusive for the benefit of the people.