Comparative Research Study of Knowledge Resource Institutions that serve Parliaments

Study Visits to Canada by members of the Bangladeshi Parliament

From October 17-21, 2005 and November 14-18, 2005, the Parliamentary Centre, at the request of the Bangladeshi Parliament and the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS), Asia Branch, organized study visits to Canada for senior delegations from the Parliament of Bangladesh . The October 2005 study visit consisted of members of parliament and senior parliamentary staff while the November 2005 study visit consisted of chairs of Standing Committees on Ministries and a senior parliamentary official.

The main purpose of the October 2005 study visit was to provide the delegates with an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and experience on the rules of procedure and practices of the Canadian Parliament in performing various functions such as legislative management and oversight. The main purpose of the November 2005 study visit was to expose the delegates to the ways in which committees work in the Canadian House of Commons and Senate and to provide them with an opportunity to exchange experiences and insights with their colleagues on various parliamentary and policy issues. Both delegations met with a variety of Canadian parliamentarians and officials, both provincial and federal, as well as Committee Chairs and, as a result, gained an enriched understanding of how various institutional components, such as political parties, committees and staff institutions operated and interacted in practice to support the function of the overall system.

Report – October 17-21, 2005 visit
Report – November 14-18, 2005 visit

Asia-Africa Videoconference on “Parliamentary Oversight of Poverty: Gender Implications”

On September 9, 2005, a video conference on “Parliamentary Oversight of Poverty: Gender Implications” was organized and facilitated by the Parliamentary Centre in Ottawa, Canada with the support of the World Bank Institute. The conference, which involved participants from Asian and African countries as well as participants from the Parliamentary Centre, was part of a series of videoconferences examining issues related to gender. The purpose of the video conference was to follow-up on discussions and recommendations from the Asia-Africa Policy Dialogue held in Phnom Penh in October 2004, and to provide an assessment of poverty reduction initiatives undertaken in various African and Asian countries. The videoconference allowed for much sharing of information and elicited a desire for further cooperation between countries. Full Report

Role of the Canadian Diaspora in Global Diplomacy & Policy Making Brainstorming Conference

“Diaspora communities are a growing part of the Canadian socio-political context and thus must be part of our public discourse on domestic and international affairs. A better understanding of their activities, motivations and interests will help define a framework for their engagement.”

On September 8, 2005, Ms. Amelita Armit, Director of Asia & Eastern Europe Programs for the Parliamentary Centre, participated in a day long brainstorming conference on the ‘Role of the Canadian Diaspora in Global Diplomacy & Policy Making’, which took place at the University of Winnipeg in Winnipeg, Canada. The term “Diaspora” is defined as the dispersal of any group of people from their original country to other countries.

The conference reviewed demographic data on Diaspora communities, examined the range of Diaspora activities, and explored the role of the NGO community, universities, private sector and media in how to best encourage full participation of Canadian Diaspora in political decision making. Discussions took place on the Diaspora impact on global diplomacy and foreign relations and the role of information and communication technology. The conference concluded with recommendations and an action plan for further research and for the integration of knowledge and practice across jurisdictions.

For more information on the conference, contact the University of Winnipeg, Global College at http://globalcollege.uwinnipeg.ca

Strengthening Legislative Institutions in an Age of Globalization

"Our experience has also validated the fact that globalization, the information revolution and the knowledge economy have profound implications on the capacity and effective performance of parliamentarians.”

Ms. Amelita Armit, Director for Asia of the Centre, made the comments when presenting to the 'Second International Conference on Legislative Strengthening in response to Globalization & International Security Issues', which took place in the Philippines on December 2 and 3, 2004.

Ms. Armit’s presentation illustrated the unprecedented opportunity and challenge that globalization presents to democratic governance. By conducting a case study on the Centre’s Cambodia Legislative Strengthening Project, she underscored the rising need for strengthening the capacity of legislative institutions in developing countries in order for them to respond effectively to the increasing conflict between economic globalization and political fragmentation.
Full Report

News: Asian Parliament – No Longer a “Distant Dream”

Pakistan 's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and visiting parliamentarians from the Russian Duma during the inaugural session of the fifth General Assembly of the AAPP – Reuters Photos

“We believe fervently that the vision we in the AAPP share of an Asia without dividing lines is no longer a distant dream,” said the Pilipino House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. when he applauded a decision of Asian parliamentarians to create an Asia-wide parliament.

As reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the 5 th General Assembly of the 40-nation Association of Asian Parliamentarians for Peace, which concluded on December 3 in Islamabad, approved a proposal of the Philippine delegation to convert the AAPP into the Asian Parliamentary Assembly within 5 years. [Read More]

Democracy, Good Governance and the Millenium Development Goals in Asia

“The connections between the goal of reducing poverty and governance are direct, multifaceted and powerful, realities we too often lose sight of.”

In a recent speech delivered at the CIDA International Cooperation Days conference, Bob Miller talks about the critical link between governance and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Asia. More ...