The Parliamentary Centre in Asia

Other Activities

The Centre is called on regularly to provide advisory services to legislatures. Additional work in Asia has included:

Bangladesh

As part of a UNDP project to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh, the Parliamentary Centre was chosen by United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) in Bangladesh to organize a one-week study mission for a group of Bangladesh MPs in Ottawa at the end of October. Training was provided on committee work, parliamentary oversight and public consultation. Full Report

Lao PDR

In December 2003, the Parliamentary Centre undertook a visit to Lao PDR to meet with UNDP officials and members of the Lao National Assembly. The purpose of the trip was to obtain a deeper understanding of the UNDP Governance Project that works to enhance the human resource and institutional capacity of the National Assembly of Lao PDR. The Centre’s aim was also to share its experiences on legislative support projects within Southeast Asia and China, in order to investigate how and in what areas the Centre may be able to assist the UNDP and Lao National Assembly in the next phase of their project. Follow-up meetings were undertaken in August 2004, and areas of possible collaboration in which the Centre can contribute to the next phase of the UNDP Governance Project have been identified.

Mongolia

Under contract to the UNDP, the Centre undertook a legislative assessment mission to Mongolia. The purpose of the mission was to provide advice and technical assistance in the area of strategic planning. This involved discussions with the Secretariat, providing a review and recommendations to the Task Force on the draft Strategic Plan of the State Great Hural, facilitating a National Conference on Developing the Parliament as a Democratic Institution in Mongolia, and conducting an In-House Seminar for staff of the Parliament Secretariat on Institutional Reforms in Legislatures. A final mission report was completed and submitted to the UNDP.

Pakistan

Under contract to the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) the Centre undertook two legislative assessment missions to Pakistan. The purpose of the latter August 2001 mission was to provide an independent assessment of the Government’s plans for elections and the restoration of parliamentary government. Another purpose was to provide an update on the first mission to Pakistan undertaken in April 2000. Full Report

Through the Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project, IFES is facilitating the introduction and sustained operation of mechanisms designed to enhance public information and outreach by the legislative branch of the government and the establishment of communication channels between legislatures and civil society at the national and provincial levels. This is being done through the application of information and communication technologies and more effective use of mass media. IFES is bringing together stakeholders in the legislatures and the Government of Pakistan, as well as Pakistani and international talent, such as the Parliamentary Centre to help realize these objectives. The Parliamentary Centre will provide support to IFES in the following areas: Priority Assessment and Workplan Development for a Pakistan Parliamentary Research Office; Support to Develop a Pakistan Parliament Curriculum for Research Staff; and Support to develop a Global/Pakistan State of the Parliament Report Framework.

Philippines

Mrs. Amelita Armit, Director of Asia Programs at the Parliamentary Centre, participated in 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. Mrs. Armit’s presentation illustrated the unprecedented opportunities and challenges that globalization presents to democratic governance. By highlighting a case study from the Centre’s Cambodia-Canada Legislative Support 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

Sri Lanka

In 2003, The Parliamentary Centre’s Executive Director, Mr. Robert Miller, undertook a mission to Sri Lanka to assist in the end-of project review of the Sri Lanka Governance and Institutional Strengthening Project, a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded bilateral project implemented by the Human Rights Research and Education Centre of the University of Ottawa. The five-year project (1999 to 2003) was aimed at supporting Sri Lankan institutions that could potentially address the root causes of the decades-old conflict in Sri Lanka. It included supporting outreach mechanisms on human rights, promoting and strengthening public accountability, supporting innovative approaches to conflict resolution and strengthening judicial responsiveness. The end-of-project review was carried out between September and December 2003, and included an evaluation of the results and operations of the project, the identification of lessons learned, and the formulation of advice and recommendations for future programming. A final mission report was completed and submitted to CIDA.

Thailand

In October 2002, the Parliamentary Centre in cooperation with the King Prajadhipok’s Institute organized a Study Tour to Canada for Members of the Thai Parliament. The goal of the study tour was to promote the principles and practices of good governance and democracy in Thailand by strengthening the representative capacity of the Parliament through the sharing of information. Emphasis was placed on an equitable presentation of Canadian experiences and included both its strengths and shortcomings. This approach ensured that the participants received an overview of the Canadian system but were also made aware that the Canadian parliament itself is continuously evolving to meet the demands associated with conflict management and including the public in policy development. Full Report

In 2004, the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI) requested the assistance of the Parliamentary Centre in organizing a study mission to Canada for senior members of the KPI Institute Council, which is the equivalent to KPI’s Board of Directors, chaired by the President of the National Assembly of Thailand. In June 2004, the KPI delegation travelled to Canada to study our legislative system, the organization of political parties, municipal governance issues, and institutions supporting the work of Parliament. The main purpose of the Study Visit was to familiarize Thai Parliamentarians and Senior KPI delegates with Canadian approaches to governance and more specifically to study the Canadian parliamentary process. The other purpose of the Visit was to learn more about how municipal government operates. Full Report

On November 5, 2004, the Parliamentary Centre’s Executive Director, Robert Miller, delivered a Keynote Address, “Politics as a Vocation and the Art of Peacebuilding”, in which he explores the relationship between democracy, politics, peacebuilding and conflict. The talk was delivered at the VI Congress of the King Prajadhipok’s Institute on the Culture of Peace and Sustainable Democracy, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Vietnam

The Parliamentary Centre was contracted by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to design and implement a study visit to Canada for Members and Senior Staff of the Ethnic Council of the National Assembly of Vietnam. The study visit, Canadian Legislation, Policies and Programs Impacting Ethnic and Minority Issues, included meetings with the Provincial Governments in British Columbia and Ontario, the Federal Government, a number of non-governmental organizations as well as Aboriginal and First Nation's groups. Full Report

Laurentian Seminar

Legislators and representatives from Civil Society have participated in the Laurentian Seminar, bringing an Asian perspective to deliberations and gaining a better appreciation of Parliament's role in global policy. Partner organizations in Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia organized follow-up workshops, developed anti-corruption strategies for their legislatures and published national editions of “Controlling Corruption: A Parliamentarians' Handbook”. These can be obtained from the King Prajadhipok’s Institute in Thailand, the Centre for Social Development in Cambodia and Indonesia’s Corruption Watch.

For additional information about these programs, please contact: