VIEW FROM THE CPA CHAIRPERSON
THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS AND PARLIAMENTARIANS IN TIMES OF CRISIS View from the CPA Chairperson
This View article was adapted from the CPA Chairperson’s opening address to the 49th CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference hosted by the Parliament of Malta and CPA Malta Branch with a virtual meeting held from 24 to 25 September 2020.
separation of powers among the three branches of government and the right to participate in free and democratic political process. CPA Regional Conferences, such as the one held for the BIM Region, are an excellent opportunity for Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff alike to join together – either Firstly, I would like to thank the Parliament of in person or virtually - and discuss these values Malta and CPA Malta Branch, and in particular, and how best to approach them in what is often a Hon. Angelo Farrugia, MP, Speaker of the House challenging and fast-moving global context. These of Representatives of the Parliament of Malta Chairperson of the CPA meetings allow us to explore these issues both and former CPA Small Branches Chairperson Executive Committee, Hon. from a regional perspective and, with the valued for hosting the 49th CPA British Islands and Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, MP, involvement of Observer Members and Officers Mediterranean (BIM) Regional Conference in Deputy Speaker of the National from other CPA Regions, from a broader, holistic September 2020. Assembly of Cameroon Commonwealth angle as well. It was a great honour to have been invited to During the two days of the CPA BIM Regional make the CPA Chairperson’s Opening Address Conference, participants had the opportunity at the CPA BIM Regional Conference on the topic of ‘The Role of to share best practice, generate innovative ways of approaching Parliamentarians in Times of Crisis’. I was delighted to be sharing a regional challenges and create long lasting and mutually beneficial platform with my esteemed colleague once again and I am sure that connections between Parliaments within the Region and further all delegates who attended the Regional Conference were greatly afield – all key functions of the CPA’s work. appreciative of the hard work from yourself and your parliamentary Honourable Members, in addition to the CPA BIM Regional team which have ensured that the conference could take place. Conference, I have been very encouraged to see many successful I believe that the CPA BIM Regional Conference was the first to be events this past year being held within the CPA BIM Region, held remotely and its success was testament to the ingenuity of the most notably the CPA Small Branches Sustainable Economic Parliament of Malta and the wider region. It followed a very effective Development Workshop in January 2020. Also hosted by the and fruitful virtual CPA International Executive Committee Meeting that Parliament of Malta and the CPA Malta Branch and attended by 19 I chaired in August 2020 and I imagine we will be harnessing these Commonwealth Parliamentarians from across our network, including new technologies increasingly in the coming months as face to face the CPA Small Branches Chairperson, Hon. Niki Rattle, Speaker of meetings still remain difficult in many parts of the world. the Parliament of the Cook Islands as well as Parliamentarians from As background for those new to the CPA, may I briefly state that the CPA Branches of Alderney, Australian Capital Territory, The the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which was founded Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cook in 1911, comprises some 180 national and sub-national Branches and Islands, Fiji, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, Northern Territory, Perlis, seeks to promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by Seychelles, St Helena, St Lucia and Turks and Caicos. The outcomes enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance. from the Small Branches workshop and the subsequent CPA toolkit The CPA connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians on ‘Climate Change and Small States: A Guide for Effective Climate and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the Change Action’, are just some examples of the effective impact of implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. the CPA in aiding our membership. CPA activities focus on the Commonwealth’s commitment to its The CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region was also fundamental political values, including - just and honest government, an active participant in the celebration of the CPA community’s the alleviation of poverty, fundamental human rights, international unique connection of almost 2.4 billion people on Commonwealth peace and order, global economic development, the rule of law, Day in March 2020. It was only shortly after this occasion that the equal rights and representation for all citizens of both genders, the Commonwealth was struck by the full force of one of its greatest 286 | The Parliamentarian | 2020: Issue Four | 100 years of publishing 1920-2020
