About the Event
Join us for an information session regarding the Digital Parliaments Project (DPP) — an initiative that supports parliaments moving to modern, interoperable digital infrastructure. At its core, DPP provides a structured framework for parliamentary records digitization and data creation — helping institutions transform physical legislative archives into searchable, structured digital resources built with clear data standards and designed for long-term preservation and access. The DPP also equips parliaments with AI-powered tools — including document intelligence and research capabilities. Beyond the institution itself, better parliamentary data creates new opportunities for civil society organizations, journalists, and citizens to engage with legislative information — strengthening accountability and giving external stakeholders more meaningful ways to make their voices heard. This webinar brings together AFRIPAL, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, and POPVOX Foundation to explore the DPP framework, hear WFD's perspective on what digital transformation can deliver, and outline a path for African parliaments interested in participating in the DPP initiative — with an opportunity to shape a progress report to be presented at the 2027 AFRIPAL Conference in Botswana.
This virtual event will take place via Zoom at 2 PM East African Time (EAT) | 11 AM GMT | 7 AM EDT.
Partners
Program Agenda
Duration: 1.5 Hours | Format: Virtual Webinar via Zoom
Welcome & Introduction — AFRIPAL
Opening remarks and framing of the session.
Digitalization for Democratic Accountability: The What, How and Why? — Westminster Foundation for Democracy
How WFD is engaging on digitisation in support of democratic governance and setting future-proof expectations.
From Paper to Data: Building Modern Parliaments — POPVOX Foundation
Digitization, data standards, and interoperable infrastructure — with lessons from Caribbean implementation.
The Path Forward: DPP in Africa — POPVOX Foundation
Regional adaptation, partnership opportunities, and next steps for engagement.
Closing & Connection to the AFRIPAL 2027 Conference — AFRIPAL
Synthesis of key takeaways and preview of upcoming opportunities.
Moderated Q&A Discussion — AFRIPAL (Moderator)
Interactive discussion with attendees.
About POPVOX Foundation
POPVOX Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization with a mission to help democratic institutions keep pace with a rapidly changing world. Through publications, events, prototypes, and technical assistance, the organization helps public servants and elected officials better serve their constituents and make better policy.
About AFRIPAL
AFRIPAL Convening provides a platform for strategic dialogue on parliamentary democracy and legislative affairs across the African Continent. It serves as a forum to promote high-quality research, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among legislators, civil society actors, academics, and policy experts on innovative legislative practices, both within Africa and globally. As a non-profit organisation, AFRIPAL Convening achieves its objectives through high-level biennial conferences across the continent, publications, and capacity-building initiatives.
About Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD)
Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world. WFD aims to harness the opportunities that digital technologies offer, while building resilience against the risks to protect and strengthen democratic principles and ensure inclusion. WFD recognises that effective digital democracy approaches should be problem-driven and that a human-centred, values-led approach is essential. WFD is exploring the use of technology for democratic resilience, transformation and impact through its Democratic Resilience in a Digital World (DRDW) programme, dedicated in-country programming and thought leadership, research and resources (such as developing AI Guidelines for Parliaments, Cybersecurity for Parliaments and certified courses in Legislative Scrutiny and Technology).
Contact
Chloe Ladd, Program Manager, Global Initiatives, POPVOX Foundation, chloe@popvox.org