CPA STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2025
Context The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in the 21st century Established in 1911 and one of the oldest Commonwealth organisations, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has had to adapt and evolve over the years, arguably never more so than in recent times. This Strategic Plan 2022-2025 has been developed in a time of great external flux and this has presented us with new challenges but also opportunities.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a tragic loss of life across the world, with a devastating impact on families and communities. The economic and fiscal effects of the restrictions brought in to address the pandemic have resulted in governments and Parliaments facing difficult choices in the subsequent period.” The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a tragic loss of life across the world, with a devastating impact on families and communities. The economic and fiscal effects of the restrictions brought in to address the pandemic have resulted in governments and Parliaments facing difficult choices in the subsequent period. With democratic values, human rights, civil society space and multilateralism already questioned or threatened in many parts of the world, despite the powerful commitments set out by both the United Nations and the Commonwealth, it is vital that scrutiny and accountability are not further eroded and that the efforts of Parliamentarians to uphold these are supported. The United Nations described 2020-30 as a ‘Decade of Action’ to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with their core commitment to 'leave no one behind'. Agenda 2030 was always going to be difficult to achieve and emergencies such as COVID-19, refugee crises and natural disasters make the job tougher still. In developing this plan, we have identified Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff as playing a crucial role in delivering the SDGs: developing legislation, allocating budgets and holding governments to account in order to implement the SDGs in the timeframe set.
“Connected to this is the deep commitment of Commonwealth citizens and civil society to the values and principles set out in the Commonwealth Charter, including the crucial role of effective and democratic Parliaments in protecting human rights, promoting economic empowerment and challenging injustice.”
6 | Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Strategic Plan 2022-2025
