Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 19, 2017 (SKNIS): Some 11 Speakers of National Assemblies, as well as parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth region are currently in the Federation participating in the 42nd annual Regional Conference of the Caribbean, the Americans and the Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) under the theme “Enhancing Democracy through the use of the Parliamentary System and the Media”.
Speaker of the Federal Parliament in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Michael Perkins, noted that the theme is very important, especially as it relates to the media and democracy.
“This theme was crafted by us here because we felt there is a need or there is need for a lot more to be done to enhance our democracy, and we are of the view that we cannot do it without the input from the media,” he said. “The media, that fourth branch of governance or the fourth arm of government as it has been known by over the years is important.”
The Honourable Speaker explained that there is a love hate relationship between politicians and parliamentarians and the media and therefore the theme is vital and very timely. He noted that it is his hope during the conference to discuss why there is such an affair. He said that it is also his hope for participants to use the conference to find ways to foster a better relationship between the media and parliamentarians.
“As a vital umbrella, our regional CPA Branch, I believe, is ideally placed to forge better links that would make that above objective of fostering a better relationship with the media possible. Having said that, the truth of the matter is that throughout our region our parliamentary branches are not functioning at the level to which they should,” said the speaker, adding that it is his belief that the root of the problem may very well be the relationship between members of government and opposition members.”
Honourable Perkins said that it is also his hope during the CPA for parliamentarians to be able to use the conference to discuss the current state of parliamentary branches throughout the region, “and seek to have our branches established properly”.
As part of the celebrations, there will be the 13th Regional Youth Parliament Debate. There are about 13 presiding officers or speakers already registered. In addition to the speakers, there are approximately 90 delegates made up of elected and nominated parliamentarians and also Clerks of the various parliaments. Another activity included on the programme was a forum on “Seeking to Increase Women’s Political Participation”, which was held on Saturday, June 17.
