In order to actively engage citizens in a parliamentary democracy and enhance the role of parliament, it is imperative to empower citizens with information. Therefore, Transparency International (PNG) in partnership with the Office of the Speaker of Parliament and European Union Delegation agreed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Open Parliament Project (OPP). The MoU was signed on 14th April 2013 at the Parliament State Function Room.

The overarching goal of the OPP is to build the integrity of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea and enhance its role as law maker, accountability agent and people’s representative.. This goal will be achieved through the gathering and dissemination of parliament information that will empower citizen’s to actively engage in the parliamentary democratic process whilst enhancing the role of Parliament and its members.

The specific objectives of the OPP are to:

1. Encourage and help Members of Parliament to share information with the public about themselves and the good work they do.
2. Enable the public to have a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of their elected representatives
3. Provide a platform for the public to communicate with their elected representatives and vice versa.
4. Increase the public awareness of the functions of parliament, its committees and procedures.

The objectives of the project are in line with the Speaker’s reform agenda. In support of the Speaker’s vision to “restore, reform and modernize” Parliament, a database and website of Parliament information and work of Parliament has been established. The website is linked to SMS as one of the many mediums for the public to access information. This report is another medium of sharing vital information. The Open Parliament Project is not designed to criticize individual Members of Parliament or the institution of Parliament itself.

Open Parliament Project is a two year project which started on the 14th of April 2013 and will end in 14th April 2015. After the completion of the project, it will be handed over to the Parliament to sustain it.

The Open Parliament Project has a Project Steering Committee (PSC) who provides oversight to the implementation of the project. The PSC comprised of representatives from Parliament, TIPNG and European Union. They meet once every three months, as and when need arises to discuss matters relating to the project.

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