National Assembly Strategic Support Project (NASSP)
The role of the National Assembly is to represent the views of Lao citizens, enable citizens to participate in decision-making processes, and ensure that national policies answer to the needs of Lao people. SDC is helping the National Assembly strengthen its role as a legislative, overseeing, and representational part of government, in support of democratic development in Lao PDR.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Laos |
Governance
Democratic participation and civil society
Public sector policy |
01.08.2013
- 30.04.2017 |
CHF 1'500'000
|
- Constituents will be able to access timely information on the legislative work of the
- national assembly and participate in public consultations;
- Discussions within the National Assembly will better reflect the views and needs of constituents;
- The National Assembly will be better at interacting with Non-Profit Association (NPAs) and constituents; The National Assembly will be more responsive to citizens’ concerns;
- Members of the National Assembly and nonprofit associations will be better equipped to engage in discussions about complex and technical issue.
- United Nations Development Programme
- UNDP Representation in Lao PDR
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Public sector policy and administrative management
Democratic participation and civil society
Public sector policy and administrative management
Cross-cutting topics The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F08710
| Background |
Lao PDR is a socialist state ruled by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. National governance is characterized by centralized decision making and top-down implementation of policies. In the past, Lao citizens have had limited opportunities to participate in governance processes, but the political system is now slowly becoming more open, professional, and effective. Particularly the National Assembly is becoming more autonomous and thus better positioned to function as an effective representative body. The National Assembly was established in 1991 and is a unicameral institution with 132 members, who are elected from a list of 190 candidates who have been pre-selected by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. The National Assembly convenes twice a year for two four-week long sessions and inter-session programs. In recent years, the National Assembly has assumed a more assertive role when considering laws, when scrutinizing the government and national budget, and when representing Lao citizens’ views. New National Assembly members are eager to take on a more meaningful role and have begun debating sensitive issues, such as land governance, and raising critical views. The public can follow national assembly sessions via TV, and broadcasts where citizens can question national assembly members have gained popularity. However, the National Assembly still faces many constraints that prevent it from fully fulfilling its mandate as the legislative branch of the Lao government. Challenges include parliamentarians’ limited skills, limited resources, and overlap between the legislative and executive functions of national assembly members. In its support of the National Assembly, SDC partners with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lao PDR. SDC’s funding is earmarked for promoting increased dialogue between members of the National Assembly and Lao citizens, seeking to grant citizens greater opportunities to participate in national governance. |
| Objectives |
SDC seeks to promote increase dialogue between members of the National Assembly and Lao citizens to grant citizens greater opportunities to participate and national and local governance. |
| Results |
Expected results: As a result of its support, SDC expects that: Results from previous phases:
|
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Development cooperation |
| Project partners |
Contract partner United Nations Organization (UNO) |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 1'500'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 1'180'220 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 01.08.2013 - 30.04.2017 (Completed) |