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Deputy Speaker of the St.Kitts-Nevis National Assembly Hon. Akilah Byron-Nisbett is currently attending the 15th ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly in Victoria Canada.

From September 9 to 12, 2018, Hon. Byron-Nisbett along with parliamentarians from across the Americas and the Caribbean will participate in the  conference which will focus on fostering inclusion as an integral component of economic and social growth, and of responsible political discourse in the hemispheres’ countries.

Hosted by the Parliament of Canada, the conference will explore how Parliaments can ensure that all people – including underrepresented and marginalized groups – can fully access the resources, opportunities and rights that will enable their equal contribution to the sustainable development of their communities. International organizations and representatives of civil society will participate with the Parliamentarians in the discussion about legislative and other responses to address changing patterns of population displacement and cross-border movements in the hemisphere.

“I take pleasure in attending the ParlAmericas conferences as it provides for the continued development of #ParliamentaryDiplomacy and Democracy. With 27 member states ParlAmericas allows us to share best practices and it provides an opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with colleague MP’s,” said Hon. Byron-Nisbett

MP Nisbett also indicated that she will neet wtih Canadian MP’s in an effort to assist with the rebuilding of  relations with Canada since losing Visa Waiver status in 2014.

MP Byron-Nisbett said “I’ve also been taking the opportunity to meet with some of the Canadian MP’s as we continue to rebuild relations through regaining our visa free status with Canada. I was able to make a few plugs over breakfast with the Speaker of the House of Commons for Canada as well as dialogue with two MP’s.”

The Deputy Speaker also participated in training on the Parliamentary Budget Cycle and was able to meet and interact with Professors at teh University of Ottawa.

“Yesterday I participated in a training on the Parliamentary Budget Cycle and there met with a Professor from the University of Ottawa who is part of a division that provides training to Government Finance Officers. I had a chit chat with her after to speak of the possibilities of having her team provide training for Finance officers in St. Kitts and Nevis. Hopefully that will bear fruit in the not too distant future. I will keep that dialogue open and push as continued educational development is important,” MP Nisbet-Byron stated.

MP Nisbet continued “Parliamentary Diplomacy is important as it provides for exchange of ideas and best practices that can be of great benefit to our individual countries.”

The agenda for the Plenary Assembly includes a training session on parliamentary budget consultations, as well as working sessions on accessible and equitable labour markets, advancing the leadership of Indigenous women, and integrating migrants and forcibly displaced populations into society.