Canada,Australia, New Zealand) and “fresh graduates” (India, Malaysia and selected countries in Asia and the Caribbean).These partnership and sharing factors have bound the Commonwealth in making common progress, in spite of our huge economic, social and cultural differences. In my view, there are considerably many more material and human resources that are needed by the developing
(“undergraduate”) democracies.To put in place autonomous parliamentary administrations for effective Parliaments, staff recruitment and training require strong leadership and determination by an informed stock of Members of Parliament and Presiding Officers.The need to expand parliamentary staff establishments and training is obvious and the task is enormous; but funds for training are often limited or scarce. In fact, some of the parliamentary establish- ments are so undersized and the skills so wanting that the services cannot satisfactorily cater for the Members’ needs for the effective execution of parliamentary duties and responsibilities. It is my opinion that if the “post-graduate” Commonwealth democracies redouble their support to train staff and expand the parliamentary establishment of “undergraduate” Parliaments, the Commonwealth can match the efforts being universally made to monitor the exploitation of economic resources for a better world. In the last two decades, donated support or development aid has been wasted because, in large part, Parliaments were extremely weak in their government scrutiny and oversight role. As the CPA Chairperson, Hon. Dato’ Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal,MP, calls for a renewed examination of how we
share our resources for international development, I foresee the possibility of the “postgraduate” Commonwealth democracies redoubling their efforts to improve the communication capability of the young parliamentary adminis- trations.Articles such as computers, books, basic health instruments,water supply and agricultural implements could be availed through simpler (not free) trade arrangements to help the fight against global poverty. Indeed, the kingpin issue in the relationship in our noble Commonwealth of Nations is the division between the haves and have-nots, as perpetrated by the world trade system. Exacerbated now by the credit crunch, environmental degradation, energy costs, terrorism, immigration restrictions and continued undervaluation of primary commodities, the fate of people in poor but richly endowed countries is worrying.That is why it is relevant to argue that the meaning of the Commonwealth and the CPA to the youth of this community must be based on material change, and this is what the CPA Chairperson is also putting forward for serious consideration. The last factor in parliamentary strengthening is with regard to public outreach of the institution of Parliament.
This arises from some public comments in some countries that young people consider Parliaments to be ineffective and “irrelevant” in their lives.This negative perception arises from poor communication between Parliament and the public, as well as the lack of structures and staff dedicated to the composition, preparation and dissemination of use- ful parliamentary information for the public. To carry out effective parliamentary outreach programmes, however, requires that funds are appropriated for the
purpose.This need therefore ushers in the demand for parliamentary budget offices and autonomous parliamentary budget estimates. In the young “undergraduate” countries where autonomous parliamentary budgets have been established and implemented, parliamentary strengthening and public awareness have increased tremendously and the integrity of Parliament has multiplied several-fold. I have in mind such young democracies as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, whose Parliamentary Service Commissions, established only a few years ago, have already played a role in strengthening their staff complements and strengthening the effectiveness of the institution. Lastly, as many members of the parliamentary community join the rest of the world population to celebrate the end of 2008 and the New Year 2009, it is important to reflect on how we will contribute, individually and collec- tively, to co-operate to solve the economic, financial, environmental and poverty problems which we face.To what extent are our Parliaments going to provide the best platform to draw the attention of the world community is something that gives us the opportunity and challenge, particularly from a Commonwealth perspective.We will need the full assistance of all our staff. I conclude this year by wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a more prosperous New Year.