HDP Newsletter December 2022

This year marks the final term of congressional service for HDP's co-founder and Chairman, David Price. During his leadership, HDP established and grew relationships around the world and advanced legislative practices that contributed to scores of democratic advancements and reforms - including groundbreaking firsts for the Commission and lasting impacts for the legislatures we work with.

In recent years, HDP hosted the Legislative Track for the Summit for Democracy (S4D); hosted our first-ever Parliamentary Leaders Summit in Washington that brought Speakers/Leaders from all of HDP’s Parliaments to Congress; hosted a regional Summit in the Caribbean that brought all 7 countries in the Eastern Caribbean together with Members of Congress for the first time in a parliamentary forum; and hosted a Parliamentary Forum on the margins of the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles earlier this year.

"I am immensely proud of the work HDP has accomplished over the past 17 years.  I am grateful for the opportunity HDP has given me and many of my colleagues to work with, learn from, and create relationships with our colleagues around the world", said Chairman David Price.

I know that moving forward HDP will continue its vital work with strong leadership and support from both within and outside of Congress."

Please see below for recent highlights of our work.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

ARMENIA AND MOLDOVA - OCTOBER 2022

HDP and House Moldova Caucus Chairman, David Price, led a congressional delegation that included Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), Jim Cooper (D-TN), and Andy Levin (D-MI), to Armenia and Moldova. This trip allowed the Commission to reaffirm its longstanding support for the parliament and democratic institutions in Armenia, and formally establish a partnership and increase engagement with Moldova's National Assembly.  The delegation was welcomed by the Presidents, Prime Ministers, Speakers of the House, parties in power and the opposition, civil society, and media in both countries.  Of note, Chairman Price was honored with the Moldovan Parliament’s highest distinction, the Medal of Democracy. HDP very much values the relationships with both countries' legislatures and will work to ensure they flourish in the years to come.

SPOTLIGHT: KENYA AND IRAQ

Kenya: HDP is particularly proud to have supported Kenya’s parliament throughout the nation’s historic year of democratic progress. HDP conducted four virtual and in-person technical assistance consultancies on advancing the capabilities of parliamentary research services, codifying human rights protections, preparing for and conducting effective new member orientation, and managing public debt.

Iraq: HDP maintained strong engagement with Iraq's parliament in 2022 during political infighting and deadlock, with millions participating in a mass movement calling for democratic reform. HDP facilitated one virtual and three in-person technical assistance consultancies on topics including strengthening parliamentary research services, advancing budget analysis capabilities, and creating oversight reports.

KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTS

Cybersecurity Handbook for Parliaments: As the world increasingly moves online, cybersecurity is not just a buzzword but a critical concept for the success of parliaments, and the security of information (both online and off) is a challenge that requires focus, investment, and vigilance. It is critical that parliaments develop a comprehensive security plan to protect against cyber attacks, which are increasingly seen as an inevitable reality. This handbook is an open-source resource designed to help parliaments develop a coherent and implementable cybersecurity plan. It includes explanations of key security topics that parliaments and their staff should be aware of, essential strategies and recommended tools to limit risk, and tips and links to additional resources.

Global New Member Orientation Guide: HDP produced a Global New Member Orientation Guide to support newly elected members of parliament and staff in onboarding to the legislature. The manual offers guidance for legislators and staff in their orientation to the legislature by outlining global examples from HDP partner countries and beyond. The primary goal of the manual is to help members and staff better understand their roles and more effectively perform the core mandates of lawmaking, representation, and oversight. Each section is structured to provide those responsible for implementing new member orientations with the substance necessary for specific sessions and guiding questions to support orientation session design and execution.