By HICGI Staff – Updated at 09:39 EAT on Thursday 29th Feb 2024

The stage is set for the 2nd East Africa Regional Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations Conference, organized by the Centre for Policy, to convene at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel. With the theme “Digital Technology and Parliamentary Monitoring: Re)imagining futures and responsibilities,” the conference promises to be a pivotal event in shaping the future of parliamentary oversight in the region.

Hosted by the Centre for Policy, a leading think tank dedicated to promoting good governance and accountability, the conference aims to bring together parliamentary monitoring organizations (PMOs) from across East Africa to explore the transformative potential of digital technology in enhancing parliamentary transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.

As countries in the East African region continue to embrace digital innovation, the conference provides a timely opportunity to reflect on how these advancements can be leveraged to strengthen parliamentary monitoring efforts. From digital platforms for tracking legislative activities to innovative data visualization tools, participants will examine a wide range of strategies and technologies aimed at promoting greater transparency and public participation in parliamentary processes.

The conference agenda features keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive workshops led by experts and practitioners in the field of parliamentary monitoring and digital technology. Topics to be explored include the role of social media in shaping public discourse, the use of artificial intelligence for analyzing legislative data, and the challenges and opportunities of digital advocacy in an increasingly interconnected world.

One of the highlights of the conference will be the launch of a regional platform for parliamentary monitoring, designed to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among PMOs across East Africa. The platform, developed with support from international partners, will provide PMOs with access to resources, training materials, and best practices, empowering them to more effectively hold their governments to account.

With participants representing a diverse array of civil society organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies, the conference promises to be a dynamic forum for dialogue and exchange. By harnessing the power of digital technology, parliamentary monitoring organizations in East Africa are poised to play a leading role in shaping more transparent, accountable, and responsive governance systems for the benefit of all citizens.

As the conference unfolds at the Sheraton Hotel, stakeholders from across the region will come together to chart a course for the future of parliamentary monitoring in East Africa. With innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to democratic values, the stage is set for a transformative dialogue that will pave the way for a brighter future for the region.

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