The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with over 20 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 month’s alumni profile, Vullnet Kabashi, Head of the Directorate for Information Technology (IT) of the Assembly of Kosovo, shares his experience participating in HDP programming.
What parliament and chamber are you a staff member of?
I am a staff member in the Administration of the Parliament of Kosovo, Directorate for IT.
What HDP program did you participate in?
I participated in several activities enabled by HDP, such as: “Information and Communication Technologies in Legislatures,” November 2-6, 2009, Washington, D.C., then “World e-Parliament Conference” in November 2009, U.S. Congress, Washington, D.C., as well as “Enhancing Parliamentary Efficiency: Leveraging Data Driven Decision Making in the Legislative Process, Focus on Digital Tools, and Innovation Strategies,” December 5-7, 2023, Pristina.
What do you want other people to know about your country?
Kosovo is a very beautiful country with great cultural diversity, nice people, and very beautiful nature. It is also one of the youngest democracies in the world with independence declared in 2008.
Why did you decide to become a staff member in parliament?
After many years of work at the university and in international organizations, in 2007, I decided to start working in parliament, knowing that from that time the most important processes for our country began.
Looking back on the HDP program, what was most impactful for you?
From the beginning, the biggest impact was and still is in the work around providing opportunities for the use of information technology – through the digitization of work processes in the parliament, from administration work to the digitization of work processes in the legal part of the parliament, as well as the parts where MPs have access. Innovative ways in this regard, as well as the use of ICT for increasing transparency and accountability, are the parts where HDP programs have had the most impact.
How are you applying your experience from the HDP mission to your role as staff?
Since the first training with HDP, together with my colleagues, I have started with the idea of digitalization of processes, and we are working in this direction continuously – from the implementation and the beginning of using the e-parliament platform which has many challenges to the use of the Legislative Tracking System, a platform which has become an example in the region.
What information, if any, that you gained through the HDP program have you shared with fellow staff members in parliament?
Information and advice regarding digitization processes, change management and regarding the innovative possibilities of using IT tools in the work of the parliament in general and the deputies in particular.
What advice would you give to new parliamentary staff?
To always look for new and innovative ways to use information technology and never be discouraged if users do not immediately embrace new ideas. You have to be persistent and demanding – first of yourself and then of others.
What accomplishments in parliament are you most proud of?
During the many years of work in the parliament, I am very proud of the creation of the IT Department, the creation of the basic IT infrastructure, as well as digital platforms for joint e-parliament work, for digital archives, for the Legislative Tracking System, as well as for management digital work in the plenary hall of the Assembly.
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