Over the next few days, parliamentarians from over 50 countries will discuss crucial issues facing modern parliaments at the 46th Conference of the Caribbean, The Americas, and Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
This year’s focus is on “Democracy: Challenges Facing Modern Parliaments.” The conference is being held here from September 1 to 7.
The Speaker of the Guyanese National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, who is also attending the conference, highlighted to Stabroek News the positive reception of Guyana’s efforts to engage youth and the public with parliamentary heritage.
Initiatives such as live-streaming sessions, distributing toys with educational literature to children under ten, and organizing national and regional youth debating competitions have garnered praise. Additionally, increased school visits to the National Assembly and enhanced social media presence have been recognized as steps toward greater public involvement.
The Speaker emphasized the value of in-person conferences, noting that these gatherings facilitate meaningful exchanges of experiences. For instance, a recent discussion on migration featured a poignant story from a Turks and Caicos MP who shared his journey as a Haitian migrant, a narrative that might not have had the same impact in a virtual setting.
Founded in 1911, the CPA includes parliamentary bodies from all Commonwealth nations—countries formerly under British rule, including Britain itself. Membership extends beyond national parliaments to include regional and state parliaments, such as those in Canada, India, and various African nations. The CPA’s mission is to promote cooperation among parliaments, encourage the sharing of best practices, and bolster democratic values and institutions. It also serves as a repository for parliamentary information and offers technical assistance to legislative bodies.
The CPA has three main branches: the CPA itself, the CPA Women’s Arm, and the Youth Parliament. This conference marks the second post-COVID gathering, reflecting significant changes in parliamentary landscapes since the last meeting in 2019 due to elections, resignations, and other departures.
As the conference advances, participants will focus on identifying and promoting key initiatives aimed at enhancing democracy and parliamentary effectiveness worldwide. Key areas of focus will include Peace and Security, Migration, the 14th Conference of Women Parliamentarians, Gender-Sensitive Parliaments – Toolkit/Guidelines, Artificial Intelligence, Benchmarks for Democratic Parliaments – Code of Conduct, Healthcare Access for Women and Girls, the Experiences of Women Presiding Officers, Family Violence Bill No. 11 of 2024, Accountability through Effective Oversight Committees, and Building Greater Autonomy for Legislative Bodies.
