Learning Objectives
How does parliament ensure participation

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

• The value of ensuring the participation of and consultation with diverse populations in matters of governance, and examples of this;
  
  
• Other opportunities for participation open to parliamentarians, such as through networks.

Introduction and Overview

Participation is one of the guiding principles of democratic governance and has been recognized as such nationally and internationally. It is important that such participation –both with those external to parliament such as the public, and internally in the composition of the parliament– includes the diverse voices in our societies. This unit provides background and examples for ways that such participation can be facilitated.