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:hq.sec@cpahq.org

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