Report

Ms. Alexandra Mendès M.P. attended the meeting of the International Executive Committee (EXCO) Working Group on Programmes of the CPA in London, United Kingdom, on behalf of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and as Vice-Chairperson of EXCO from January 24 to 25, 2019.

The CPA Headquarters Secretariat hosted this International Working Group of Parliamentarians in London, UK to review the revised CPA Programmes Strategy and programmes activities. The CPA Working Group was chaired by Ms. Alexandra Mendès, M.P., Vice-Chairperson of the CPA (Canada Federal).

Members of the CPA Working Group representing the Regions of the CPA included: the CPA Treasurer, Ms. Vicki Dunne, MLA (Australian Capital Territory); the CPA Small Branches Chairperson and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta, Hon. Angelo Farrugia, MP; the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Chairperson, Hon. Dato Dr Noraini Ahmad, MP (Malaysia); Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, MP (South Africa); Hon. Clayton Mitchell, MP (New Zealand); Hon. Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb, MNA (Pakistan).

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Executive Committee in London, in November 2018, resolved to establish a Working Group to conduct a high-level strategic review of all CPA programme activities undertaken since April 2016 when the current revised programmes strategy was adopted. The purpose of the meeting was to identify those programmes which should be focused on or developed, those which should be discontinued, and any to be introduced, in order to maximise CPA’s impact in fulfilling its mandate.

The Working Group operated throughout on a consensus basis. It was able to reach consensus on all material issues leading to the recommendations.

The Working Group was supported during its meetings by the Secretary-General and his staff, together with a consultant, who facilitated the meeting.

Members of the Working Group heard presentations on CPA Programmes activities from the CPA Secretary-General, Akbar Khan and CPA Headquarters Secretariat staff.

The papers and presentations received covered:

• An overview of CPA’s recent development and approach to its programmes
• Financing of programmes
• Public Outreach and Communications to support the programmes
• Briefings on each of the programmes

The Working Party’s recommendations were developed on the basis of a clear logic aimed at delivering maximum impact and efficiency in delivery of CPA’s purpose of empowering legislatures by upskilling parliamentarians and parliamentary staff. They constitute a coherent set of programmes that make optimal use of the respective resources and expertise of CPA’s Secretariat and Branches and a strong basis for the next phase of CPA’s development.

Recommendations will be made to the International Executive Committee in Ottawa, in April 2019. After discussion and approval by the Executive Committee in April 2019, the next steps will be for the CPA Secretariat to develop a plan to implement the changes from 2019 onwards.

Respectfully submitted,

Yasmin Ratansi, M.P.
Chair of the Canadian Branch of the
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)