Global Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices Community Meeting

Seminar on Independent Budget Analysis & Transparency

Technical Session 4

How to write MP friendly Reports: Case study in the Kingdom of

Cambodia

July 11, 2004University of Ottawa

Seminar on Independent Budget Analysis & Transparency

Technical Session 4

How to write MP friendly Reports: Case study in the Kingdom of

Cambodia

By Hisham MOUSAR,PIC Research Manager

Professor of Law at the Royal University of Law and Economics

Few words for introducing the Few words for introducing the Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia:Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia:

The Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia (PIC) is The Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia (PIC) is a new independent parliamentary support a new independent parliamentary support

institution based in the Senate compound of the institution based in the Senate compound of the Cambodian Parliament. PIC contributes to the Cambodian Parliament. PIC contributes to the

democratic process and the demand for stronger democratic process and the demand for stronger governance in Cambodia. It serves both governance in Cambodia. It serves both

chambers, the National Assembly and the chambers, the National Assembly and the Senate.Senate.

Please see: www.pic.org.kh/home/Please see: www.pic.org.kh/home/

HHOW DO WE WRITE MP FRIENDLY OW DO WE WRITE MP FRIENDLY REPORTS?REPORTS?

AN BRIEF RESPONSE IN 5 POINTS.AN BRIEF RESPONSE IN 5 POINTS.

1st point Bad news.

In Cambodia, there is not (yet) a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).

2nd point Another bad news!

My colleague and myself, we have no economic education and

background.

3rd point

On a serious note, our job is Parliamentary Research.

What we mean by “Parliamentary Research”?

Our Target, our Clients are Parliamentarians.

Align learning initiative to national priorities and legislative agenda,

targeting key commissions of parliament and parliamentarians from different political parties not

represented in commissions, ensuring multi-party representation

and a gender balance.

Why not targeting the public, the media, the civil society, etc.?

(publication on line after Client’s approval)

Our main task is to be interpreters for

parliamentarians.

Respond to the technical needs of our Clients, expressed by them, in

an understandable and concise way.

What challenges?Time constraints Make technical things become accessible to our Clients with a background information delivery Cost limitationA large scope of area is covered

4th point

In order to address our challenges, PIC established a strong protocol.

What is PIC’s protocol?Client’s request receptionConcept note editing and signatureResearch writing processThe delivery of the research product (closed publication first)Presentation of the research product (in closed-door meeting)Expert hearingForum or seminarStudy mission (abroad)

briefing notesresearch papers

expert hearingspresentations & public forums

Static

Interactive

Explanatory Exploratory

Pete H. Fontaine

Quote from the Swedish Parliamentary Research Service (RUT) (Evaluation Report,

May 2014)

“The PIC is a very young research service and has come remarkably far in a very short period

of time. Its work is very ambitious and the learning process has been rapid. The PIC already

shows a very high degree of research service professionalism. Its organization is adapted to the realities of research services. All the major

building blocks of a good research service are in place: research teams, client contacts, dialogue

routines, networking (outreach) and training (capacity strengthening). All important

principles, policies and routines are in place: there is a mission with core values, an

assignment policy, a research protocol checklist, a workflow management system and a code of

conduct. Last but not least there is an emerging research culture and researchers show an

understanding of the values that are so important to research services: objectivity,

integrity and service, to mention just a few”.

5th and last point

What about establishing a PBO in Cambodia?

Our first act can be to produce a comparative study on this issue if a Client requested to do so., and it is up to the parliamentarians to draw

conclusions. We would be pleased after this first

step to follow our protocol.

Merci pour votre aimable attention.Thank you for your kind attention.

Hisham MOUSARResearch ManagerParliamentary Institute of CambodiaKingdom of Cambodiahisham.mousar@pic.org.kh+855 (0) 15 217 007www.pic.org.kh/home/www.pic.org.kh/home/