Link with commonwealth parliaments

29 September 2009

A New Zealand delegation of three members of Parliament will attend the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference in Arusha, Tanzania, from Thursday (1 October, 2009), the Speaker, the Hon Dr Lockwood Smith, announced today.

Shane Ardern MP, National, is the leader of the delegation and he will be accompanied by Sue Kedgley MP, Greens, and Carmel Sepuloni MP, Labour.

Moana Mackey MP, Labour, will also be attending in her capacity as the Representative of the Pacific Region to the Executive Committee of the CPA.

Dr Smith said the theme of the conference, “Meeting Future Global Challenges”, provided an opportunity to discuss a broad range of issues of international importance with an expected 1000 delegates from across the Commonwealth.

“CPA is an international community of Commonwealth parliaments and legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to democratic governance.”

There are 169 national, state, provincial and territorial Parliament branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association representing some 16,000 parliamentarians.

“The range of workshops includes parliamentary democracy and the role of parliament in combating global issues including the current financial crisis, climate change, terrorism and the elimination of violence against women.

“Other topics of interest to New Zealand include the role of parliament in shaping an information society and engaging future generations in representative democracy.

“Participation at the conference provides members of Parliament with the opportunity to engage in a significant international organisation. It also ensures that matters of importance to New Zealand and the Pacific region are included on the CPA’s agenda,” he said.