The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with 22 partner parliaments around the world to support the development of effective, independent, and responsive legislatures. HDP is proudly implemented by the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
In this iteration, BILGUUTEI.O, senior staff at the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute in Mongolia, shares his experience participating in HDP programming.
What parliament and chamber are you a staff member of?
I work at the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute as a senior staff in charge of the environment and agriculture sector.
What HDP program did you participate in?
I participated in the “Enhancing Accurate and Independent Parliamentary Research to Better Serve Citizens” program of the House Democracy Partnership.
What is your favorite thing about your country?
I like lots of things about my country. For example, Mongolia is one of the most liberal countries around the world. We have freedom of speech, and we can express our opinion without any restrictions. Also, Mongolia is a beautiful country with wild nature and is rich in natural resources. Therefore, I see my country as a land of opportunities.
Why did you decide to become a staff member in parliament?
I graduated the Seoul National University as a forest researcher. My area of expertise was suitable for environmental research and related to my work at the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute. That’s the reason I decided to become a staff member in parliament.
Looking back on the HDP program, what was most impactful for you?
Looking back on the HDP program, the topic on developing information resources was most impactful for me. The topic emphasizes the importance of updating reports, covering one issue using various products, building on existing materials, and developing longer products out of shorter products.
How are you applying your experience from the HDP mission to your role as staff?
During HDP, I learned that the Congressional Research Service’s product development is considerably similar to Parliamentary Research and Training Institute’s publication development. The development process starts with identifying the issue, collecting background information, and designing the research framework. After that, we analyze the draft research. In the final stage, it is reviewed by the senior advisor. The similarity was helpful for me to apply what I learned from HDP sessions to my work.
I am also applying my experience from HDP in determining the scope of the project and designing the review progress. It helps me to plan and have a clear understanding of whether the project addresses the existing issue.
What advice would you give to new parliamentary staff?
Although I don’t have long experience as a parliamentary staffer, I would advise new staff to spend time with other senior staff. It helps to understand your research progress and the main issue. Additionally, taking notes is good practice for new parliamentary staff. It’s helpful to plan the deadline of the project. Notes also act as a reminder for relevant information. Lastly, follow your passion.
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