The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega is challenging Parliaments and legislators to play a more central role in development as the globe charts its path on the post 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Agenda.
At the same time, the EALA Speaker wants legislators to ‘walk the talk’ in fighting inequalities, ending poverty and institutionalisation of rights based approach to development. Rt. Hon Kidega was speaking this morning when he opened a two-day Parliamentary Exchange workshop in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Speaker implored legislators to explore opportunities envisaged under the Global Development Framework as the timeframe given to implement the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) winds down.
“Despite all concerted effort, we have not fully realized what was anticipated for the 2015 MDGs Agenda. Part of the reason perhaps, may also be attributed to our very own shortcomings as Parliaments. I say so in good faith since Parliaments have a crucial role to play, particularly in improving their country’s ability to assume full ownership of national development policies and programmes”, Rt Hon Kidega said.
“But this should not discourage us from plotting for our future. The time is ripe and opportune for us to map out on the post 2015 agenda. National development approaches cannot and should not be shaped and driven purely by Governments and Development Partners as Parliaments similarly have a fundamental contribution to make”, Rt. Hon Kidega added.
The workshop themed “Institutional Strengthening of International Parliamentary Bodies and their Role in Development” brings together continental, regional and national legislators. In attendance are Parliamentarians from the Parliament of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Vincent Mavooungou - Bayou, legislators from Pan African Parliament and EALA Members.
Legislators from the Partner States’ National Assemblies are also in attendance. The workshop is supported by the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA). The Workshop aims at enhancing institutional development of supra-national Parliaments and their interactions and in the sharing of experiences by Parliaments at national, regional and continental levels.
The workshop participants are also expected to engage in and to explore strategies key to ensuring the Global Development Framework (Post 2015 Agenda) is implemented and realised. It is anticipated the knowledge base on processes revolving on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) shall be enhanced. The workshop also hopes to renew and harmonise structures for the Network of African Parliaments and other networks of engaging Parliamentarians towards achieving the MDGs/SDGs.
The EALA Speaker further called on the Assemblies to continue their stance in advocating for the achievement of democracy and good governance. “Indeed, it is Parliament's traditional responsibility to debate and to pass legislation that provides a legal framework for good governance and the rule of law. Besides, Parliament, through its oversight function, ensures accountability which is also an indispensable ingredient of good governance’, the Speaker said.
In his remarks, the Speaker of CEMAC, Rt. Hon Vincent Mavoungou- Bayou reiterated that integration was fundamental in strengthening regions. “In this time and age of globalisation, we need to stick together through the path of integration. Exchange of information and sharing of best practices is vital”, Speaker Bayou remarked,
He remarked that CEMAC as a young institution was keen to look at the EALA model, which had proven to be effective in strengthening integration.
John Corrie, a Member of AWEPA and a Honorary Life President of the African Caribbean Pacific – European Union (ACP-EU), termed institutional strengthening of Parliaments as fundamental. He remarked that AWEPA was committed to partnering with Parliaments in the region to enable them continue to play the vital role in development.
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For more Information, contact:
Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer;
East African Legislative Assembly;
Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945+254-733-718036;
Email: bodiko@eachq.org
Web: https://www.eala.org
Arusha, Tanzania
