Parliamentarians in Grenada are sharpening their skills at a two-day seminar here this week, hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
The Post-Election Seminar is intended to build capacity among newly elected members of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament and to equip parliamentarians with the relevant knowledge to help them perform their roles more effectively.
Declaring the seminar at the Coyaba Beach Resort open, Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell encouraged his parliamentary colleagues to embrace the opportunity to better equip themselves to serve the people of Grenada.
He said, “For those of us who are seasoned politicians, it is important that from time to time, we take advantage of opportunities to sharpen our skills and broaden our knowledge base.”
Dr. Mitchell, a parliamentarian for 34 years, said it is an opportunity for newly elected members to get better acquainted with parliamentary procedures and expectations.
“Over the next two
days, you have an opportunity to take a step back, evaluating what you have been doing and arming yourselves to continue that forward march and to offer the very best representation to those you serve,” he stated.
President of the Senate, Honourable Chester Humphrey and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Michael Pierre have also welcomed the CPA seminar, noting that it is long overdue.
They both gave assurances that the presence of only one political party in Grenada’s parliament does not detract from the quality of the debate.
In his turn at the podium, CPA’s Director of Operations, Mr. Jarvis Matiya said the CPA recognises the ever-evolving nature of democracy and the fact that no country or institution can provide or be provided with a one-size-fits-all system of parliament or governance.
He said the CPA has long recognised “the need for elected members to be supported throughout their time in office and to enable them to fulfill their constitutional duties whilst also maintaining the ambition and enthusiasm that the election captured.”
Mr. Matiya also commended the Prime Minister for his commitment to the inclusion of young people.
“This commitment to young people and to ensuring that they can help shape their own future is something that is supported wholeheartedly by the CPA, and reflected in our programmes and outreach activities.”
He added, “it is vitally important that young people, as leaders of today and tomorrow, are informed about the nature of Commonwealth political values and why the commonwealth should matter to them in the 21st century.”
Parliamentarians from Antigua/Barbuda and Trinidad and Tobago are among the resource persons for the two-day seminar.
