Junior Minister for Tourism Sharie de Castro is representing the government this week at the 2019 Westminster Seminar on Effective Parliaments in London.
The annual seminar — the United Kingdom Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s “flagship capacity-development pro- gramme” — is designed in part to stimulate discussion about the role of parliamentarians and clerks, according to Government Information Services.
“I am happy to be a part of this cohort, where the possibilities are there for gaining a deeper understanding of the components that make up an effective parliament within the Westminster context,” Ms. de Castro said. “This seminar has provided the opportunity to widen networks and to create open communication lines to work collaboratively with peers.”
The programme, which is in its 68th year, also provides a platform for participants from across the Commonwealth to network with their counterparts, exploring approaches to parliamentary democracy, practice and procedure in the context of the Westminster System and drawing comparisons between Commonwealth legislatures, according to GIS.
The seminar started Monday and will conclude tomorrow.
CPA UK works to support and strengthen parliamentary democracy throughout the Commonwealth, focusing on issues including women in parliament, modern slavery, financial oversight, security and trade, according to GIS.