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Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 07, 2017 (SKNIS):  St. Kitts and Nevis is slated to host the 42^nd annual 42^nd Regional Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) from June 16 to 23, 2017, where delegates will discuss matters pertinent to parliament.

 

The theme of this year’s conference is “Enhancing Democracy through the use of the Parliamentary System and the Media.”

 

Appearing on this week’s edition of “Working for You”, Speaker of the House, Honourable Anthony Michael Perkins, and chairman of the conference, said that this is the second time St. Kitts and Nevis has hosted the conference. The first was in 2001.

   

The chairman said that there are a number of events planned for the weekend of the conference including functions held under the auspices of the women’s faction of the conference, the Caribbean Women Parliamentarians (CWP). One such activity includes the 10^th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference.

 

The main part of the conference begins on June 19, where there will be an opening ceremony, said Honourable Perkins. There will also be a panel discussion where delegates would meet as parliamentarians and discuss a number of matters related to the functioning of parliament.

The annual general meeting will also be held where a chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer will be elected.

 

During the week there will be the 13^th Regional Youth Parliament Debate. The chairman said that there are about 13 presiding officers or speakers already registered. In addition to the speakers, there are approximately 90 delegates   who are made up of elected and nominated parliamentarians and also Clerks of the various parliaments.

 

The honourable speaker has invited all parliamentarians within the Federal House and the Nevis Island Administration to share in the activities, “notwithstanding the fact that there are delegates from each territory.” St. Kitts-Nevis has five delegates.

 

“Those delegates would have voting rights and are expected to be a part of the entire conference, but outside of that there is going to be a special invitation to all parliamentarians within the federation,” said the chairman.   

 

Other activities include a forum on “Seeking to Increase Women’s Political Participation.”

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an Associated Organisation of the Commonwealth.

 

The CPA links members of national, state, provincial and territorial parliaments and legislatures across the Commonwealth. Its mission is to promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance.