BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 23RD 2005 (CUOPM) – Chairman of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and Political Leader of the Concerned Citizens, the Hon. Vance Amory will be among three Prime Ministers, Premiers, Chief Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition, and other political party and civil society leaders from twelve Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean meeting in Trinidad next week.
The July 25th to 27th meeting will discuss how governments and opposition parties can work together to strengthen the democratic process in their countries and the region.
The theme of the Conference is “Government and Opposition – Roles, Rights and Responsibilities.”
“It is hoped that through an exchange of information, views and expert knowledge, participants will be able to distill current thinking on the subject, highlight examples of good practice and after consideration of past and present experience, make practical proposals for future action,” said Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha.
The First Session deals with “How should Governments govern.” The Second Session is on “How should Oppositions oppose.” The Third Session is on “Reforming Parliament: and the Electoral System,” while Session Four will be on “Accountability: Oversight Institutions, the Media and Civil Society.”
“Political Parties: strengthening the key link in the chain” will be discussed at Session Six and Session Seven will deal with “The Broader Context – gender and human rights.”
At the meeting, which will be opened by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, the Hon. Patrick Manning, the leaders will highlight best practice and make proposals for future action.
Commonwealth Secretary-General The Right Hon. Don McKinnon will be visiting Trinidad and Tobago during the workshop and will address the gathering on 26 July.
The Opening Session of the workshop, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday, 25 July, will take place in the Chamber of the House of Representatives.
Speaking at the Session also will be the Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Basdeo Panday; Speaker of the House of Representatives in Trinidad & Tobago, the Hon. Barenda Sinanan; Director, Political Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, representing the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr Matthew Neuhaus; Programme Manager, Foreign Policy and Community Relations, CARICOM, representing the CARICOM Secretary-General, Ms. Charmaine Atkinson-Jordan; Director of Programmes, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Mr. Niall Johnston and Co-ordinator, Citizens' Agenda Network, Trinidad & Tobago, Mrs. Sheilah Solomon.
The workshop has been organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in co-operation with the Citizens' Agenda Network, a Trinidad and Tobago non-governmental organisation.
A similar meeting between government and opposition leaders was held in Maputo, Mozambique, in January 2004 for the thirteen Commonwealth countries which are members of the South African Development Community (SADC).
This was organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in conjunction with the SADC Parliamentary Forum. The Commonwealth Secretariat and CPA plan to have a similar workshop for Commonwealth Pacific countries later this year.