VIEW FROM THE COMMONWEALTH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS (CWP) CHAIRPERSON
NETWORKING BETWEEN PARLIAMENTS AND CREATING ALLIANCES How the ASEAN network has used networking to further women’s participation
View from the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Chairperson Women Parliamentarians must foster solidarity, Political-Security Community, Economic Community, cooperation, collaboration, inspiration, leadership, Socio-Cultural Community. It is also key to continued and other skills to build capacity and capability economic growth, to a reduction in the development gap between parliaments. Through establishing networks and the sustainable development of the region. and alliances between Parliaments, women The ASEAN region is now planning for the next Parliamentarians can establish shared values and phase of regional integration, based on the themes identify priorities, which can in turn lead to change. of “people oriented” policy and “good governance”. Looking at ASEAN (The Association of However, the concept of ASEAN Connectivity South East Asian Nations) as an example, remains important in enhancing the development women Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Interof the ASEAN region to be a more economically parliamentary Association (WAIPA) have competitive and resilient region, especially as the Hon. Dr Dato’ Noraini Ahmad, shown a tremendous commitment to facilitating fastest growing market in the world with a consumer MP, Chairperson of the networking between women Parliamentarians population of 625 million. Commonwealth Women of the region, and to establishing networks Women Parliamentarians need to engage with the Parliamentarians (CWP) and with other women’s associations and women’s meaning of economic integration and connectivity Member of the Parliament of meetings within international organisations, to provide capacity building and the necessary Malaysia. including the CPA, the CWP network and the IPU. foundations and tools for success among women. Trade Economic and social development both liberalization, movement of professionals, intellectual present many opportunities to women and women Parliamentarians policy rights, and competition policy are some of the areas which have and we should undertake every available opportunity and develop helped develop the economic integration and connectivity between our skills to ensure that the inspiration to succeed is reinforced. ASEAN member states. Such cooperation from women to women and led by women ASEAN has also engaged other countries in developing economic definitely fosters more momentum for success amongst women. The partnerships and to ensure regional comprehensive economic development of key skills and a new ‘skills-building’ process amongst strength. India, China, Korea, Japan and New Zealand are some of women would enhance and strengthen our capacity. Women the more economically viable countries and work in tandem with Parliamentarians who have the parliamentary capacity could monitor ASEAN’s connectivity aspirations. As an example, Japan has had a and evaluate the progress of women for their future success. comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN since 2008, and Women Parliamentarians as leaders are thus urged to do more for has been investing in ASEAN infrastructure and finance. interactive participation which would meet all nations’ demands for One of the pressing issues regarding connectivity is bureaucracy, greater public engagement. and as such, the ASEAN Secretariat could help place or organize As a way forward, ASEAN has announced its master plan continuous meetings for better coordination between Ministers, Such AEC 2025, for the next phase of regional integration. AIPA and platforms allow conceptual and contentious issues to be discussed. women Parliamentarians play a pivotal role in the making of the Youth represent a huge demographic population of ASEAN, next generation and the sustainability of all projects and future which is behind the huge consumer boom within ASEAN. One of the infrastructures; thus, women Parliamentarians need to be more farkey points in the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur 2015 was the sighted and move towards increased collective actions. inclusion of youth in the entrepreneurship economic blueprint where ASEAN connectivity transforms the region into a more competitive they have developed a strategic plan. and resilient network and allows it integrate itself into the global A total of 885,800 youth participated in youth development economy. The Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) is a programmes between 2011 and 2013 in the areas of leadership, blueprint, which consists of a 5-year plan of action to enhance the socio-economic development, volunteerism, and international youth region’s physical infrastructure, institutions, and people-to-people cooperation. In addition, 10,812 youth participated in entrepreneurship relations to realize the cooperation between ASEAN countries. programmes to enhance their skills and capabilities in doing business. MPAC was adopted on the 28th October 2010. Recognising the potential for youth to become future leaders and Connectivity is key to realizing the ASEAN community based on 3 pillars, upholding the responsibility of long-term planning for the prosperity 192 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue Three