CPA Secretary-General Khan Visits Bermuda
The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association [CPA], Mr Akbar Khan visited the Bermuda Branch of the CPA and highlighted youth participation in the Overseas Territories.
The Secretary-General was invited to visit Bermuda by Speaker Randy Horton, with the visit marking his visit to the island as Secretary-General since his appointment in January 2016.
“During his visit to Bermuda, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association met with the Premier of Bermuda, Michael Dunkley and with the Leader of the Opposition, Marc Bean. The Secretary-General also paid a courtesy call on the Acting Governor of Bermuda, Mrs. Ginny Ferson,” a spokesperson said.
“The Secretary-General discussed the range of parliamentary strengthening programmes that the CPA offers and is developing to support the professional development of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff. The CPA is the only Commonwealth body that works to strengthen sub-national and territorial assemblies and legislatures such as the Bermuda House of Assembly.
“The relationship between the Bermuda and the CPA is therefore key in providing a platform to develop good parliamentary practice within the Overseas Territories and to share good practice with other similar legislatures across the Commonwealth.
“The CPA Bermuda Branch has been an active Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and hosted the study group which resulted in the publication of the CPA’s Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures in 2006.
“The CPA Secretary-General visited five schools and colleges in Bermuda – Bermuda Institute, Berkeley Institute, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Saltus Grammar School, Bermuda College – as part of the CPA Roadshows tour of the Commonwealth schools and universities.
“The Secretary-General was accompanied on the CPA Roadshows by Hon. Randolph Horton, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Bermuda and Hon. Wayne Scott, Minister of Education. The CPA Secretary-General also visited the Bermuda Youth Parliament to meet participants and hear about their projects.
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Mr Akbar Khan said: “As the CPA approaches its 105th year, we are very excited about bringing the CPA Roadshow to Bermuda for the first time to engage with local students on the values that unite the Commonwealth and to highlight youth participation in the Overseas Territories.
“I am delighted to visit the Bermuda Branch of the CPA and to talk about the important and innovative work in the region. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Speaker of the Bermuda House of Assembly, K. H. Randolph Horton, for his invitation to visit the Branch and further strengthen relations between the CPA and the Bermuda House of Assembly.”
The CPA Roadshows provide an opportunity for young people to learn about the political values of the Commonwealth such as diversity, development and parliamentary democracy; to discuss issues of concern about the society in which they live; and to meet local Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff and to find out about the work of the CPA.
With the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries having a combined population of more than 2 billion, of which more than 60% are under 30 years of age, the CPA Roadshows aim to engage with young people and education establishments to promote parliamentary democracy and participation in political life.
Why did they not make a visit to the college?