CPA engage members on adapting their legislative bodies to global challenges

The Turks and Caicos Islands recently concluded the successful hosting of the 45th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Regional Conference, with members coming away with a renewed sense of purpose.

Hosted from July 21 to 28, the conference brought together Parliamentarians and Clerks from jurisdictions across the CPA CAA Region for discussions on the theme ‘Building a resilient region in the face of global challenges’.

The sessions – all hosted at The Shore Club in Long Bay, Providenciales - covered topics including disaster preparedness, biodiversity and climate change and included a meeting of women Parliamentarians in the region, a youth Parliament and several workshops.

Delegates heard presentations from parliamentary leaders throughout the region, including seven Speakers of Parliament, as well as external experts from the law enforcement, banking and health sectors.

CPA Chairperson, Hon. Ian Liddell-Grainger, and CPA Deputy Secretary-General, Jarvis Matiya, were also in attendance.

At the opening ceremony, TCI’s

Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, discussed sustainability, telling delegates: “I believe what we are looking at today is a more comprehensive definition of sustainability. When I think of sustainability, I think of turbulent change, adaptation, sustainability in terms of infrastructure –institutional, our social systems and ecosystems.”

Hon. Gordon Burton, Speaker of the TCI’s legislative assembly and CPA CAA Regional Chairperson, reflected on how the CPA gives Caribbean nations a voice on the international stage.

“We are small island states in the Caribbean but together we have a voice that can resonate throughout the Commonwealth and impact decisions made on a global scale,” Burton told the gathering.

During the week, the CAA Region of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network also hosted their 13th Conference.

Hon. Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize and Chair of the CWP CAA Region, opened the conference.

“The purpose of a women’s parliamentary network in the region is because women are still under-represented. If Parliaments are to be truly representatives of the people, then it needs to reflect this in its numbers and currently in the region, it does not. There is much more work to do,” Woods stated

The two-day conference addressed the crucial role of women Parliamentarians in democratic governance, the shared experiences across the region of women in leadership and the issue of youth crime.

On July 26, young people from across the region took part in the 16th CPA CAA Regional Youth Parliament. The Youth Parliament mirrored the structure of the TCI’s House of Assembly and delegates debated a motion based on the main theme of the conference.

The CPA CAA Region comprises 19 legislatures, including Small Island Developing States, British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean and Central and South American states, such as Belize and Guyana.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth.

The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.