The Parliamentary Centre in Southern Africa

Parliamentary Capacity Development Program (PCDP)

The PCDP (1999-2002) has contributed to the increased professionalization of staff of the Legislatures of Southern and Eastern Africa. This Program, supported by the Partnership Branch of CIDA comprised two projects. The first is with the Library, Research and Information Services and the Committee Sections of the South African Legislatures the second with the Association of Parliamentary Libraries of Eastern and Southern Africa (APLESA).

South Africa Project:

Working with the Library, Research and Information Services Sections of all 10 legislatures of South Africa, the Centre supports the legislatures' efforts to improve legislative support services to Members. The Centre's experience and lessons learned been captured in "Building Research Services in Emerging Legislatures". Activities funded include national workshops and skills development short-courses and management courses for staff. These have been implemented in cooperation with local training institutes and academic institutions.

With the Committees Sections of the Legislatures, the Centre has implemented a multi-year, accredited committee staff-training program through the School of Government at the University of the Western Cape. This program will be made available to committee staff of the legislatures. An overview is available.

Under the PCDP, the Centre has worked with the Gauteng Legislature to develop and implement a ‘parliamentary oversight model.' A paper by the consultant is available. ‘Oversight Tools' for parliamentary staff serving committees are also being developed. The preliminary outline of the ‘Tools' can be seen.

Since 2001, the Centre has also partnered with the Association of Public Accounts Committees (APAC) of South Africa in delivering their learning modules for PAC members and staff. In doing so the Centre has supported the implementation of their training programs for Members of Provincial Parliaments and the staff of Public Accounts Committees.

APLESA Project:

The Centre is partnered with the Association of Parliamentary Libraries of Eastern and Southern Africa (APLESA) to strengthen cooperation among Member parliaments. The Centre has worked with APLESA to develop its website and electronic networks. Additionally, the Centre has worked with APLESA to develop a strategic plan and action plan on such issues as capacity development, fundraising and inter-parliamentary cooperation.

APLESA members are Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The PCDP program will conclude soon. The evaluation report will be available in July via the website.

CIDA recently approved the new program, The Legislative Accountability Program that will focus on oversight committees – both staff and Members – within South Africa and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). The legislatures of South Africa, APAC and the SADC Parliamentary Forum (sadcpf) will be the principal partners.

For additional information, please contact YipP@parl.gc.ca