Political Parties and Parliamentary Support Project Update
International Republican Institute (IRI)

SO2: MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
posted by Skip Waskin on Tuesday, December 13, 2005, 8:13PM

Start of New Cooperative Agreement. USAID and IRI signed a three year cooperative agreement for this new project in November, focusing on electoral reform and parliamentary reform. The new grant will continue through October 2008.

Legislation. IRI continued lobbying key Members of Parliament on ethics and committee rules legislation in November.

Open Committee Hearings. IRI also started discussions on conducting an open committee hearing for the Chairman of Economic Standing Committee, MP Damiran. The hearing, one of the first ever in Mongolia, will likely take place some time in January.

Political Parties and Parliamentary Support Project Update
International Republican Institute (IRI)

SO2: MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
posted by Skip Waskin on Friday, November 9, 2005, 8:07PM

End of the USAID-IRI Cooperative Agreement. October 31 marked the end of the USAID-IRI cooperative agreement to implement the Political Parties and Parliamentary Support Project. A new cooperative agreement is being finalized, so that IRI can continue work on election and parliamentary reform. IRI completed work on the previous agreement in October, and we anticipate a smooth transition as work begins on the new agenda. That work will begin as soon as the new agreement is signed by both parties, probably in early November.

Parliamentary Development. IRI’s schedule heated up in October, starting with the re-convening of the fall session of the SGH on October 3. During the month, IRI met with newly seated MP Enkhbold (Constituency #24) and received assurances that he would support IRI’s parliamentary initiatives. IRI also hosted a District Representative training session in Parliament House with cooperation from the Secretariat’s Office. US Charge d’Affaires Brian Goldbeck addressed over 120 MP representatives and staff members from throughout Mongolia. The training focused on the roles and duties of staff members; communicating with the MP; improving constituent services; cooperating with the Secretariat’s Office; the legislative activities of the SGH; and increasing voter participation.

Legislative Work. IRI held discussions with State Structure Chairman MP Batbold in October on key legislation that is closely followed by IRI—especially ethics, committee rules, and anti-corruption and election law changes. Batbold assured IRI that action will be taken on these issues in the fall session of the SGH. On October 20, the annual IRI-SGH Joint Working group dinner was held. Key MPs and USAID officials were in attendance to discuss pending legislation and actions. Throughout October, IRI’s Mongolian staffers have been meeting with an array of interested individuals and organizations to discuss pending legislation, and to promote IRI activities and future cooperation. Meetings have been held with the Secretariat’s Office; the Head of SGH Protocol Office; MPs Gundalai, Enkhsaikhan, Zandanshatar, Erdeneburen, Ms. Mukhtuya, Ms. Oyun, Demberel, and Odkhuu; IRG participants; MP assistants; the Norwegian Ambassador to China (who is also accredited to Mongolia); local international NGOs; and three representatives from the Swedish Parliament.

Political Party Development. On October 3, a legislative lobbying luncheon was organized jointly with the leaders of the women’s auxiliaries from the DP, MPRP, CW-RP and Motherland political parties. Members of Parliament and experts of the State Structure Committee, along with officials from U.S. Embassy and USAID, attended the event. Issues of pending legislation and women’s representation in the Election Law draft were discussed.

Political Parties and Parliamentary Support Project Update
International Republican Institute (IRI)

SO2: MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
posted by Skip Waskin on Friday, October 21, 2005, 3:57 AM

While in Washington the group met with officials from the IMF, the Center for Public Integrity, the National Council of State Legislatures, and the Congressional Research Center, and attended a US House press conference announcing support for a proposed free trade agreement between Mongolia and the US. The highlight of the visit was a personal meeting with House Speaker Dennis Hastert in the Speaker’s Capitol office. In Annapolis, they met with Maryland Secretary of State Ms. Mary Kane, the advisor on ethics to the General Assembly, and the Director of the Office of International Business. The group also toured the US Naval Academy. In Denver they met with Lt. Governor Jane Norton and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, and attended a roundtable on the role of politically active NGOs in society. Also at this meeting, they met State Senator Nancy Spence and former Representatives Glenn Scott and Rob Fairbanks. Later the participants visited the district office of Congressman Bob Beauprez, and the office of international relations at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) where they had an opportunity to descend into the “Edgar Mine” near the CSM campus.

Legislative Support. IRI was especially active in September preparing for the fall session of the SGH, and lobbying political officials and MPs on Committee Rules and Procedures, Ethics for MPs and Ethics Committee Rules, the Election Law, and Anti-Corruption legislation. On October 3, IRI hosted a legislative luncheon with key MPs and US Embassy/USAID officials in cooperation with Women in Politics and Governance.