cpa presentation june 2008
TRANSCRIPT
Dr. William F. ShijaSecretary-General
The Commonwealth, the CPA and Parliamentary Democracy
The Commonwealth from 1948 to Today
A voluntary association of independent
sovereign states … consulting and
co-operating in the common interests
of their peoples and in
the promotion of international
understanding and world peace.
The Commonwealth Mission
53 Sovereign Nations – Nearly Two Billion
People
Common Heritage in Language, Culture, Law and Education
No Constituti
on or Charter
A Voluntary Organization
Based on Consensus
Commonwealth Membership Criteria
Connection with an existing member country
Comply with Commonwealth
values, principles and priorities
Accept Commonwealth
norms and conventions
Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles (1971)
We believe in the liberty of the individual, in equal rights
for all citizens regardless of race, colour, creed or race, colour, creed or political belief, and in their inalienable right to political belief, and in their inalienable right to
participate by means of free and democratic political participate by means of free and democratic political processes in framing the society in which they liveprocesses in framing the society in which they live.
We therefore strive to promote in each of our countries those representative
institutions and guarantees for personal freedom
under the law that are our common heritage.
Harare Commonwealth Declaration (1991)
DemocracyDemocracy, democratic processes and institutions which reflect national circumstancesnational circumstances, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, just and honest government;
Fundamental human rightsFundamental human rights, including equal rights and opportunities for all citizens regardless of race, colour, creed or political belief;
Equality for womenEquality for women, so that they may exercise their full and equal rights;
Promotion of sustainable development and the alleviation of povertyalleviation of poverty
We invite the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and non-governmental Commonwealth organizations to play their full part in promoting these objectives.
Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme (1995)
MEASURES IN SUPPORT OF PROCESSES AND INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PRACTICE OF THE HARARE PRINCIPLES
Assistance in creating and building the capacity building the capacity of requisite institutions
Assistance in constitutional and legal mattersconstitutional and legal matters, , including with selecting models and initiating programmes of democratisation
Support for good government, particularly in the area of public service reformpublic service reform
Collaboration with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and other bodies, to strengthen the democratic democratic culture culture and effective parliamentary practices.parliamentary practices.
Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles (2004)
Accountability and RelationshipRelationship between the ExecutiveExecutive, LegislatureLegislature and JudiciaryJudiciary
Mutual Respect Mutual Respect for Constitutional Roles of Each Institution
IndependenceIndependence of Parliaments and the Judiciary
Executive AccountabilityAccountability to Parliament
Effectiveness of the Law-MakingLaw-Making Process for Good Good GovernanceGovernance
OversightOversight and ScrutinyScrutiny of Government
Opportunities for Civil Society Civil Society Participation
1911: Empire Parliamentary Association
1948: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Parliamentary Arm of the Commonwealth
Constitution adopted in 1993
Work Endorsed by Commonwealth Parliaments and Heads of Government
Patron: HM Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth
Present in 52 of the 53 Commonwealth Countries (except Brunei).
Over 180180 BranchesBranches in National, State, Provincial and Territorial Parliaments
More than 16,000 Parliamentarians16,000 Parliamentarians
The CPA: A Community of Parliamentarians
CPA Branches in Nine Regions
Promotes Parliamentary Knowledge and Understanding
Seeks Good or Best Practice
Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference
Communiqués
Mission Statement
To promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and
understanding of democratic governance and by building an
informed parliamentary community able to deepen the Commonwealth’s democratic
commitment and to further co-operation among its Parliament
and Legislatures
“Solution-Seeking” Organization
Branch Delegations (approx. 650 Members)
Officers of the Association (5)CWP Chairperson (1)Regional Representatives (30)
Regional Secretariats (9)
National, state, provincial, territorial Parliaments and Legislatures (over 180)
CPA Officials, Members and Branch Secretaries
Secretary-General and staff (14)
The CPA Structure
General Assembl
y
Executive
Committee
Regions
Branches
Members
Secretariat
Strategic Plan 2008-2012: Areas of Work
Professional Development for Members and
Staff
Technical Assistance Programmes
Human Rights (Gender, HIV/Aids, Freedom of
Information)
Global, National and Personal Security
Sustainable Development
Strengthening the CPA through Communications
The Secretary General’s Mission
Generate Knowledg
e and Expertise
Create Products
and Literature
Promote a Common
Understanding and
Position
Make a Global
Contribution
The CPA Secretariat
The CPA Secretariat: Key to Organogram
• Print & On-line Publications
• Research
• Events Organization
• Programme Activities
• Human Resources
• Finance
• Support Services
• Programme Activities
Communications and Research
Administration and Finance
CPA Finance
Income, mainly from
annual Branch
membership fees,
totaling £2.2 million
in 2007.
Most of the fees are
returned to the
Branches in services.
Membership fees based
largely on size of Branch’s delegation
entitlement to the annual conference.
Central expenditure
of £2.5 million in
2007.
Vertical Communicati
on
Communication Process
From Members From Members attending the General Assembly to all Members to all Members in respective Branches
Between Regions Between Regions and Branches
Between Members Between Members in each Region and each Branch
Twinning arrangements Twinning arrangements (e.g. Malawi and Scotland, Tasmania and Samoa)
Horizontal Communicati
on
Horizontal Communicati
on
Other
Between Parliamentarians and the
Public
Between Parliaments
Communication Issues
Between Members
General Assembly to Members in
Branches
Branch Meetings & Motions in the
HouseBetween Regions
Dates & Invitations to Regional
Meetings
Topics designed to shareComparative Studies
Sharing and Cultural Exchange
Gender Issues
Parliamentarians and Constituents/
Civil Society / Media / Gender
Quarterly Journal: The Parliamentarian
CPA Newsletters:First Reading and CPA Update
Parliamentary Information and Reference Centre (PIRC)
CPA Website (www.cpahq.org)
CPA Reports & Leaflets
Information Services
Communications Instruments and Products
Reach and Effectiveness
E-mailRadio,
Television & Video
Systems
The Documentary
Publications Electronic Media
Direct Communicati
on
Basic Research
The CPA and the Public
The CPA Centennial Celebration
in 2011
Taking the message to the
people
The 53rd Annual
Conference Documentary in
India
Future Regional
Conference Documentarie
s
Working with other international organizations and institutions – UNDP, World Bank Institute, WTO, DFID, CIDA
Working with young people (Commonwealth Day Activities & Youth Parliaments)
Programmes and Outreach
Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association Secretariat
Westminster House, Suite 700,
7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA
United Kingdom
Email:[email protected]
Web: www.cpahq.org
Tel: (+44) 20-7799-1460
Fax: (+44) 20-7222-6073
Dr William F. Shija, CPA Secretary-General
A Community of Parliamentarians