OPENING CEREMONY
The CPA President speaking to participants in Johannesburg.
MESSAGE FROM H.M. QUEEN ELIZABETH II, PATRON OF THE CPA
On the occasion of the fifty-ninth Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, I send my warmest wishes to all the members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association who are gathered together in Johannesburg.
I was interested to learn that representatives from approximately one hundred and seventy Parliaments and Legislatures will be attending the meeting and that the theme for this year’s discussion will be “Effective Solutions to Commonwealth Developmental Challenges.”
As your Patron, I much appreciate your kind message and, in return send my best wishes to all concemed for a successful and enioyable Conference.
ELIZABETH R. Buckingham Palace
In an effort to ensure gender equality, our Parliaments have an important role to play by passing laws that are responsive to the developmental needs of our people and are able to correct imbalances prevalent in many societies. The Commonwealth Charter stresses the importance of democracy, human rights, international peace and security, tolerance, respect and understanding amongst countries, freedom of expression; the importance of separation of powers, rule of law, good governance, sustainable development; the importance of protecting the environment, the need for access to health, education and food; and the importance of protecting the rights of women and youth. The Charter also calls for the recognition of the needs of small and
vulnerable states as well as the role of civil society.
It is in our interests that the 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference re-affirms our commitment to principles of people- centred democracy, sustainable development, good governance, rule of law, and respect for human rights. It, therefore, becomes important that Parliaments, as custodians of lawmaking and oversight and representatives of our people, must ensure that the Executive is held accountable.
Going forward, for us the face of the world that we seek to build should ensure a better world, a just world, and an equitable world.
I wish you fruitful engagements in your deliberations and a wonderful stay in our beloved country. I thank you.
The Parliamentarian | 2013: Issue Four | 305
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124