06 Jan 2020

National Assembly Speaker, Mr Phandu Skelemani is in Ottawa, Canada for the 25th annual Commonwealth conference of speakers and presiding officers.

According to a National Assembly press release, the conference, scheduled to run until January 10, will discuss maintenance, fostering and encouragement of the impartiality and fairness of speakers and presiding officers of Parliament .

The release says the conference will also discuss the promotion of knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms.

Other discussions will be about the development of parliamentary institutions, it says.

Also on the conference agenda  are topics on parliamentary engagement; openness, transparency and accountability, challenges and opportunities arising from the displacement of a parliamentary assembly, parliamentarians as effective legislators and constituency representatives security of individuals in the parliamentary context and beyond as well as security of individuals in the parliamentary context and beyond.

The parliamentary engagement topic will cover issues of connecting Parliament and citizens effectively and efficiently and leveraging technology to deliver relevant and timely parliamentary information and messages.

On challenges and opportunities, the release says the conference will deliberate on  procedural, ceremonial and administrative implications of the renovation and rehabilitation of parliamentary buildings, business continuity during urgent and unforeseen temporary displacements.

The role of domain experts given increasing complexity of policy issues and finding support beyond officially recognised parties for chamber and committee work will be discussed under another topic dealing with effectiveness of legislators and constituency representatives.

According to the release,  emerging cyber-security issues and the implications on parliamentary privilege including social media as an effective tool, not a weapon and ensuring continued access yet security of individuals will also be covered. The conference will also include special plenary topics such as the role of the speaker in supporting emerging procedures and practices, embracing the changing face and needs of parliament.

Mr Skelemani and his delegation are expected back January 13. ENDS