Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697810182647.pdf (Malta)
IT-TNAX-IL LEĠIŻLATURA P.L.

8205 Dokument imqiegħed fuq il-Mejda tal-Kamra tad-Deputati fis-Seduta Numru 466 tad-9 ta’ Jannar 2017 mill-Ispeaker, l-Onor.

Anġlu Farrugia.
Anġlu Farrugia.

_______________________________ Raymond Scicluna Skrivan tal-Kamra 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference 12 - 17 December 2016 London Hon Anglu Farrugia, Speaker Hon Carmelo Abela, MP Hon Clifton Grima, MP Hon David Agius, MP RAPPORT TA' L-ISPEAKER DWAR PARTECIPAZZJONI F'KONFERENZA/LAQGMA/ZJARA TA' NATURA PARLAMENTARI BARRA MINN MALTA 1.

TITLU TAL-KONFERENZA/LAQGMA:IT-62 KONFERENZA PARLAMENTARI ANNWALI TAL COMMONTVEALTH 2.

DATA: 11- 17 DICEMBRU 2016 3.


ISEM IL-MEMBRU/1 LI PPARTECIPAW: L-Ispeaker Anglu Farmgia Onor.

Carmelo Abela Onor.

Clifton Grima Onor.

David Agius 4.

SUGGETT /I FUQ L-AGEND A: Tema Generali tal-Konferenza: "Commonwealth Kollaborattiva: Unita, Diversita 14 Sjidi Kom!Jni" L-Agenda tal- konferenza hi mehmu±a wkoll rna' dan ir- rapport bhala dokument 'A' 5.

KONKLUZJONIJIET TAL-LAQGMA, JEKK IKUN IL-KAZ: Il-konklu±jonijiet tal-laqgha hmna mehmuza frapport dettaljat, bhala dokument 'B' 6.
INTER VENT /I MAGMMUL/ A MILL-MEMBRU /I: Dettalji tal-interventi tal- Ispeaker jinsabu fir- rapport dettaljat mehmu± rna' dan ir rapport bhala dokmnent 'C'.

N.B.

(~ Fil-kaz ta' delegazzjoni ta' aktar minn delegat wie!1ed, jista' jsir rapport wiet1ed li jingabar mill-Imp tad-delegazzjoni li fih jitniZzlu 1-interventi kollha u r-rapport jigi ffirmat minn !mil delegat.
(ii) Inti gentilment mitlub/a li twassal dan it-rapport ghand 1-iSpeaker sa mhux aktar tard minn gtuxart ijiem minn meta tkun intemmet il-konferenzallaqgha.

7.

DOKUMENTI IMPORT ANTI TAL-KONFERENZA/LAQGMA LI TMOSS L1 GMANDHOM IKUNU MEHMUZAJEKK IKUN IL-KAZ.
- Agendi tal-Konferenza (Anness A) o Agenda tal-Konferenza o Agenda tai-Konferenza tal-iSmall Branches tal-Commonwealth - Rapport dettaljat bil-konkluijonijiet tat-62 Konferenza Parlamentari Annwali tal Commonwealth (Anness B) - Interventi mill-JVIembri waqt il-laqghat (Anness C) - Agenda u min uti tal- Laqgha Annwali tal-BIMR u min uti tal-laqgha, kif ukoll rapport annwali ta' Malta li gie sottomess qabel il-laqgt1a tal- BIMR.

(Anness D, Dl) Dokumenti ohra relevanti (Anness E) 8.
JEKK TIXTIEQ Ll TITQASSAM STQARRIJA GttALL-ISTAMPA MILL PARLAMENT ANNETT!

ABBOZZ TAL-ISTQARRIJA GttALL-ISTAMPA U X-XANDIR.

Stqarrijiet ghall-istampa: PR 162864 datata 13 Dicembm 2016 PR 162857 datata 13 Dicembru 2016 PR 162865 datata 13 Dicembm 2016 PR 162866 datata 13 Dicembru 2016 PR 162868 datata 13 Dicembru 2016 PR 162871 datata 14 Dicembru 2016 PR 162880 datata 14 Dicembru 2016 PR 162890 datata 15 Dicembru 2016 PR 162904 datata 16 Dicembru 2016 huma annessi bt1ala dolnunent 'F'.

Onor.
Onor.

C~umelo Abela, Membni tal-Kumitat Ezekuttiv Onor.

Clifton Grima CJ It/ )_c) t::t- Data o/J/.,2<P/1 Data Onor.
Davi Data Jt.,c P'A COMMONWEALTH ~ PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION ._j) 62"d COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE {CPC) LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM 11-17 DECEMBER 2016 THEME: A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME* *Programme as at 15 November 2016- all timings subject to final confirmation Conference Venue: Park Plaza Riverbank London 18 Albert Embankment SEl 7TJ London, United Kingdom Meeting rooms to be confirmed (DAY 1) SUNDAY 11 December 1300-1430 1500-1730 (DAY2) MONDAY 12 December 0900-1730 Arrival of the Co-ordinating Committee Members and Members of the Executive Committee Meeting: CPA Trustees Venue: Executive Room, ll'h Floor .
Coordinating Committee Meeting followed by Performance and Review Subcommittee Meeting Venue: Executive Room, ll'h Floor Arrival of the CWP Steering Committee Members and Small Branch Members Meetings: Executive Committee Meeting- Venue: Plaza Suite 1-4, Level-4 Finance Subcommittee- Venue: Plaza Suite 5, Level-4 Planning & Review Subcommittee- Venue: Plaza Suite 1-4, Level-4 1030-1045 1300-1400 1530-1545 1730 Morning Tea/Coffee break LUNCH- Venue: Plaza Suite Pre function Area Afternoon Tea/Coffee break CLOSE Dinner at respective hotels I (DAV3) TUESDAY 13 December 0900-0945 0945-1015 Arrival of all Delegates/Secretaries attending the CPC and CWP Conference Delegates Official Opening Ceremony of the 351h Small Branches Conference- Venue: Plaza Suite 6-10, Level-4 Group Photographs -location TBC • Executive Committee (only) • Small Branches (only) • Executive Committee with Small Branches 1015-1030 1030-1230 Morning Tea/Coffee break- Venue: Plaza suite Pre function Area Meetings: Main Executive Committee Meeting- Venue: Plaza Suite 1-4, Level-4 Small Branches Conference and Election of the Chairperson of Small Branches- Venue: Plaza Suite 6-10, Level-4 1230-1330 1330-1730 BUFFET LUNCH - Venue: Plaza Suite Pre function Area Meeting: CWP Steering Committee Meeting- Venue: Park Suite 4, Level-l 1330-1730 Meetings: Main Executive Committee Meeting- Venue: Plaza Suite 1-4, Level -4 Small Branches Conference- Venue: Plaza Suite 6-10, Level-4 • Session 1: The role of the Commonwealth in supporting the outcomes of the COP21 Paris Agreement on Climate Change • Session 2: The role of Parliament in the protection and safeguarding of children • Session 3: Eliminating barriers to women's leadership in politics in Small Branches 1530-1545 1730 1930 Afternoon Tea/Coffee break Venue: Plaza Suite Pre function Area CLOSE Dinner at respective hotels 2 (DAY 4) WEDNESDAY 14December 0730-0830 Breakfast Meeting- Regional Secretaries - Venue: Park Suite 1 0900-1030 Official Opening of the 62"d Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and First Plenary - Addresses by the Secretaries- General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Commonwealth Venue: Ballroom, Level-2 followed by main Conference Group Photo- Venue TBC 1030-1130 Briefing for delegates, observers and secretaries followed by briefing for workshop moderators, discussion leaders, rapporteurs and session secretaries.
Venue: Ballroom, Level-2 1130 Morning Tea/Coffee served Venue: Ballroom Pre function/Plaza Suite Pre function, City Suite 1130-1300 Regional Group Meetings: • Africa: Ballroom 1, Level-2 • Asia: Plaza Suite 1, Level -4 • Australia: Plaza Suite 2 • British Islands and Mediterranean: Plaza Suite 3, Level-4 • Canada: Plaza suite 4, Level -4 • Caribbean, Americas & Atlantic: Plaza Suite 5, Level-4 • India: Ballroom 2, Level-2 • Pacific: Plaza Suite 6, Level-4 • South East Asia: Plaza Suite 7, Level-4 1300-1400 1400-1730 BUFFET LUNCH Venue: Ballroom Pre function/Plaza Suite Pre function, City Suite CWP Conference (Part One)- Venue: Ballroom 1, Level-2 Theme: Political Violence against Women • Violence and Intimidation of Women during Elections • Parliament's Role in raising Awareness of Political Violence against Women, and Women's Equal Civil and Political Rights Followed by Group Photo Venue: TBC 1400-1730 SOCATT Meetings Venue: Ballroom 2, Level-2 1430-1500 UNDP Side Event Sustainable Development Goal {SDG} 3: Tobacco Control Frameworks and effective Parliamentary Oversight Venue TBC 3 .. 1530-1545 Afternoon Tea/Coffee Venue: Ballroom Pre function/Plaza Suite Pre function Areas, City Suite 1730 CLOSE Time to be confirmed CPC 2016 Official Dinner Venue: Ballroom, Level-2 (DAY 5) THURSDAY 15 December 0900-1300 CWP Conference (Part Two) Venue: Plaza Suite 1-5 Theme: Political Violence against Women • Legislating effectively to protect Women from Political Violence • The Role of Civil Society and the Media in tackling Political Violence against Women 0900-1300 SOCATT Meeting Venue: Plaza Suite 6-10 1000-1300 Main Conference Workshop Sessions- Workshops A, B C Workshop A: There is a role for the Commonwealth in fostering freedom of religion or belief (to be conducted as a debate) Venue: Ballroom 1, Level -2 Workshop B: The role of the Commonwealth in supporting the outcomes ofthe COP21 Paris Agreement on Climate Change {Small Branches Topic) Venue: Ballroom 2, Level-2 workshop C: The role of Parliamentarians in
 implementing and monitoring policies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Venue: City Suite, Ground Floor 1100-1115 Morning Tea/Coffee Venue: Ballroom Pre function/Plaza Suite Pre function areas, City Suite 1300-1400 BUFFET LUNCH Venue: Ballroom Pre function/Plaza Suite Pre function areas, City Suite 4 1400-1700 Main Conference Workshop Sessions- Workshops D, E, F WorkshopD: Ending violence against women and girls: The impact of social media and the internet in perpetrating violence (Gender Topic) Venue: Ballroom 1, Leve/-2 Workshop E: The radicalisation of young people and how we are dealing with this challenge throughout the Commonwealth Venue: Ball roam 2, Leve/-2 Workshop F: The media plays a large role in promoting public mistrust of Parliamentarians (to be conducted as a debate) Venue: City Suite, Ground Floor 1400-1700 Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Regional Hot Topic Forum Topic: Seeking to Increase Women's Political Participation.
Venue TBC 1400-1700 SOCAIT Meetings (continued) Venue: Ballroom 2, Leve/-2 1545-1600 Afternoon Tea/Coffee Venue: Ballroom Pre function/Plaza Suite Pre function areas, City Suite 1730-1900 Meeting of the Working Party Reviewing the CPC Venue: Park Suite 4, Level -1 Time to be confirmed Launch of the inaugural Commonwealth CPA Parliamentary Lecture Series Venue: Ballroom, Leve/-2 {DAY 6) FRIDAY 16 December 0800-1200 CWP Business Meeting and Election Venue: Ballroom, Level-2 1200-1300 BUFFET LUNCH Venue: Ballroom Pre function Area/City Suite 1300-1600 General Assembly Venue: Ballroom, Leve/-2 1600-1700 Closing and presentation of plaques to retiring Executive Committee Members Venue: Ballroom, Level -2 1730-1930 Meeting of the New Executive Committee (including Investment Training for Trustees) Venue: Plaza Suite 1- 3, Leve/-4 CLOSE 5 Dinner at respective hotels (DAY 7) SATURDAY 17 December Departure day for all conference participants.
6 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and 35th Small Branches Conference A Collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity and Common Challenges Conference organised within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association December 11-17, 2016 Delegation: Speaker Angelo Farrugia; Hon Carmela Abela; Hon Clifton Grima and Hon David Agius.

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PARLIAMENT OF MALTA 1.


Introduction A delegation of four Maltese Members of Parliament: Speaker Anglu Farrugia, Minister Carmela Abela, Ron.

Clifton Grima and Ron.

David Agius, attended the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference on "A Collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity and Common Challenges" and associated meetings recognised the Commonwealth's commitment to equality and for political, economic, social and cultural rights.
The conference, hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat from II to 17 December 2016 in London, United Kingdom, was attended by over 400 Members and Clerks representing Parliaments and legislatnres fi·om across the Commonwealth.

The conference was chaired by the Chairperson of the CPA Intemational Executive Committee, Ron.

Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhnry MP, and Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh.
It also included the 35th Small Branches Conference (SBC) and the 51 h Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) tJie~mial Conference.

The 351 h SBC saw the election of the first ever Chairperson, who will be sitting on the Executive Committee meetings together with other regional representatives and Maltese Speaker of the House of Representatives Ron.

Angelo Farrugia was elected by acclamation.


The 5th Cofm11onwealth Women Parliamentarians trie~mial Conference also held an election for its Chairperson, who will also sit on the Executive Committee and the elected representative is Ron.

Dato' Noraini Ahmad MP (Malaysia) and has pledged to renew the effott to increase women's political participation across the Commonwealth.

The outgoing Chairperson of the Connnonwealth Women Parliamentarians is Rt Ron.
Rebecca Kadaga MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda who has held the office since her election in 2013.

Rt Ron.

Rebecca Kadaga MP has worked tirelessly in promoting inter-regional cooperation among members of the CWP.

Additionally, during the 62nd Cotnn1onwealth Parliamentmy Conference, there were a number of additional conferences at1d meetings including: • CPA Executive Committee (12 and 13 December 2016).

• CPA General Assembly (16 December 2016).


• Society of Clerks-at-the-Table (SOCATT) Meetings (14 and 15 December 2016).

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Ron.


Anglu Farrugia pmticipated actively in the sessions, pruticularly the workshops of both the Small Branches Conference and the 62nd Cotmnonwealth Parliamentary Conference and the contJ·ibutions together with relevant replies are found in Almex Document C. The attached report is a detailed account of the Conference, which includes notes on the opening addresses as well as summaries of the workshops and respective recof!m1endations.

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COMMONWEALTH PARLfAMENTARY ASSOCIATION 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Conference Concluding Statement 21 December 2016 COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARIANS attending the 62"' Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and associated meetings recognised the Commonwealth's commitment to equality and for political, economic, social and cultural rights, in light of the conference theme 'A Collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity and Common Challenges'.
The conference, hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat from 11 to 17 December 2016 in London, United Kingdom, was attended by over 400 Members and Clerks representing Parliaments and legislatures from across the Commonwealth.

The meeting was chaired by the Chairperson of the CPA International Executive Committee, Hon.

Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh.
It also included the 35" Small Branches Conference (SBC) and the 51h Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) triennial Conference.

This concluding statement contains • • • the topics of discussion, a summary of delegates' discussions, and recommendations that were either endorsed or noted.

62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference ·Opening Addresses: The Chairperson of the CPA International Executive Committee, Hon.
Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh, urged Commonwealth Parliamentarians to work together to find common solutions to global issues as she opened the 62"' Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in London, United Kingdom.

from across The Chairperson welcomed Parliamentarians the Commonwealth on behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at the opening ceremony of the 62"' Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
The Chairperson of the CPA International Executive Committee said: "The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) provides a unique platform for inter-parliamentary dialogue to take place.

The diverse nature of the membership provides the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with a unique position within the parliamentary community to offer a comprehensive perspective on how to strengthen parliamentary democracy Commonwealth-wide and discuss new and innovative approaches on how to do so."
The unique conference brings together Speakers, Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff representing the nine regions of the CPA- Africa; Asia; Australia; British Islands and Mediterranean; Canada; Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic; India; Pacific; and South East Asia.

The CPA reaches all 52 countries of the Commonwealth as well as national, sub-national and territorial Parliaments and Legislatures bringing together over 180 CPA Branches of the Association.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Statement of Purpose The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth.

2 The opening ceremony of the conference heard from the Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and tl1e Commonwealth.
The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Mr Akbar Khan welcomed Commonwealth Parliamentarians and delegates to "The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference strengthens our networks and nurtures our shared Commonwealth democratic values.

The fact that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association embodies diversity yet shares values of democracy, rule of law and human rights, only serves to strengthen and deepen our unity.
The need for the CPA to continue to strengthen its core programmatic work and to translate the practical benefits of democratic governance to the peoples of the Commonwealth has never been greater."

the conference and said: The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Han.

Patricia Scotland QC said: "The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is like a beehive.

It buzzes with pollinators whose work will result in fruit throughout the Commonwealth.
Thanks to Commonwealth Parliamentarians coming together, law reform and progressive social and economic development are accelerated.

Exchanges of knowledge and expertise lead to institutions of governance being strengthened, while respect and goodwill within the rich diversity of Commonwealth identity helps build a safer, more prosperous and more inclusive future for us all."

The Master of Ceremonies for the opening ceremony was Hon.
Lindiwe Maseko, MP (South Africa) who welcomed all delegates before introducing the Commonwealth Youth Choir who performed both the Commonwealth Anthem and the Commonwealth Song under the conductorship of Simon Haw MBE, the Commonwealth Music Ambassador 2016-2018.
CPA Video: Highlights of the opening ceremony of the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference #2016CPC https:l/youtu.bei23Zh3MnvNuk 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference: Side Events Alongside the substantive conference workshops and the CPA governance meetings (62'' General Assembly and Executive Committee meetings), the 62'' Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference also included a number of additional events.
Delegates at the conference attended the CPA Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Regional 'Hot Topic' Forum on the 'hot topic' of the region - 'Seeking to Increase Women's Political Participation'.

The CPA Regional Hot Topic Forum heard from a number of distinguished speakers.

The CPA Regional 'Hot Topic' Forums bring together not only Commonwealth Parliamentarians, but also academics, students, civil society organisations and the wider Commonwealth family.
The inaugural Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Lecture was held at the 62'' Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference with former Lord Speaker of the UK Parliament's House of Lords, Rt Han.

Baroness D'Souza CMG PC, who spoke of the Commonwealth's enduring political values that bring challenges and opportunities for Commonwealth Parliamentarians.
The theme for the new Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Lecture was 'The Promotion and Implementation of the Commonwealth's enduring political values- Challenges and Opportunities'.

The United National Development Programme (UNDP) held a side event for Commonwealth Parliamentarians on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Tobacco Control Frameworks and effective Parliamentary Oversight.
A lunchtime event was held by the Commonwealth Initiative for Freedom of Religion and Belief (CIFoRB) on Engaging Effectively with Freedom of Religion or Belief.

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3 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference- Workshops: Main conference theme: 'A Collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity and Common Challenges'.
The six main conference workshops and their recommendations were as follows: Workshop A: There is a role for the Commonwealth in fostering freedom of religion or belief Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right of the people of any country.

With a state religion, freedom of religion is generally considered to mean what the government permits; religious practices of others and sects besides the state religion and does not persecute believers in other faiths.
Throughout history, religion or beliefs have contributed towards social change and civilisation.

In some contexts this has led to conflicts, and it was noted that 'religious' conflicts are not based on religious beliefs exclusively and instead should be seen as clashes or communities, identities, and interests that are secular religious or at least very much secular.

Religion and peace building refers to the study of religion's role and the development of peace.
Scholars generally accept that religion has had a role at different points in history, and that this has been advantageous to the promotion of peace.

Religious pluralism is an attitude of policy regarding the coexistence of diverse religious belief systems in society.

The plurality of religious traditions and cultures has come to characterise every part of the world today.

It isn't diversity alone, but the energetic engagement with diversity.
Mere diversity without real encounters and relationships will yield an increase in tension in our society.

The protection of religious freedom is an integral element of a functioning pluralist democracy.

Recommendations from the workshop were: • The Commonwealth should be able to sanction or call to order States perceived to be impugning freedom of religion.

• Provide a master class and/or bespoke training for parliamentarians on freedom of religion or belief.
• CPA may constitute a Committee to discuss loopholes and devise strategies for ensuring protection of an individual's right to freedom of religion.

All recommendations from the workshop were noted.


Workshop B: The role of the Commonwealth in supporting the outcomes of the COP21 Paris Agreement on Climate Change (Small Branches Topic) Delegates noted the adverse effects of climate change such as drought, flooding and rise in sea levels, and the fact that the impact was worse on small island states and developing countries.
Delegates further noted the obligation under the Paris Agreement for countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to below 2% of pre-industrial levels.

They, therefore, acknowledged the need to share best practices and assist island states and developing countries tackle climate change.

Delegates, in this regard, discussed measures being taken by some countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
These included giving incentives to businesses that employ clean energy technology and using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy.

Recommendations from the workshop were: • Commonwealth states should cooperate to establish strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector by developing alternative fuel (ethanol and hydrogen), and vehicle electrification. '
4 • The successful implementation of the Paris agreement requires collective and concerted individuals, including national and local governments, efforts businesses and community groups.

from all stakeholders, • The role of Parliament is essential in implementing the Paris Agreement and initiatives such as the sustainable development goals, including the added value of entities such as UNEP.
• Climate change is an issue for all nations and the Commonwealth should assist smaller nations in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and dealing with the effects of climate change.

All recommendations from the workshop were endorsed.
Workshop C: The role of Parliamentarians in implementing and monitoring policies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals {SDGs) While broadly supportive of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the workshop discussed the challenges in raising awareness of the goals and translating them into policy priorities at local and national level.

It was noted that the SDGs apply to all countries, irrespective of their state of economic development.
Implementation starts with personal choices but is influenced by the decisions taken by government bodies at all levels.

Every country starts from a different position and the work involved in achieving the goals will be significant.

Members were concerned about the resource implications and how international aid could assist achievement of the SDGs in developing countries.
Parliaments have a role to play in engaging the public and civil society on the SDGs, discussing and passing legislation and monitoring government action.

Members raised questions about how the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association could assist parliaments both in setting up new monitoring mechanisms and ensuring that oversight of work to meet the SDGs is integrated across the broad span of parliamentary processes.
During the workshop the following additional recommendations were proposed: • Each parliament to make a report to the CPA annual meeting on the progress towards Implementation of SDGs (Peer Review Mechanism).

• CPA to conduct seminars in parliament on the sensitization, processing and implementation of SDGs.
Recommendations from the workshop were: • Effective parliamentary oversight of the achievement by governments of the Sustainable Development Goals is essential to ensuring the quality of such achievement.

• Parliaments must ensure women's leadership, including best practice strategies developed by women's health, community organisations and networks, to improve gender equality and reduce gendered violence.
• Parliamentarians should proactively centre stage and monitor implementation of SDGs to ensure their rightful place in national priorities to become a reality by 2030.

All recommendations from the workshop were endorsed.

5 Workshop D: Ending violence against women and girls: The impact of social media and the internet in perpetrating violence (Gender Topic) The growing reach of the internet and social media presents opportunities, social connections and networks.
However, these social media platforms are used by perpetrators to carry out acts of violence against women and girls.

Cyber violence has broad categories as identified by the United Nations: Impersonation; • Hacking; • • Surveillance/tracking; • Harassment or spamming; • Recruitment; and • Distribution of malicious information.

Added to the above is revenge pornography aimed at humiliating and shaming women and girls.
Victims of cyber violence suffer serious consequences, including murder in some instances and teenagers are driven to suicide.

At political level, women tend to be unfairly targeted, stereotyped and bullied using body shaming rather than the focus being on the substance of their work or ideologies.

Laws that specifically address cybercrime are needed as reliance on existing legislation on gender based violence is not sufficient.
Input made indicated that most countries in the Commonwealth have legislation that seeks to address cyber violence, however the following challenges were identified: 1.

Lack of implementation; 2.

Obscurity of perpetrators; 3.

Lack of effective instruments for monitoring and tracking of perpetrators; 4.

Lack of political will to dedicated resources to eliminate cyber violence; 5.

In some instances women and girls are perpetrators themselves against other women.
During the workshop the following additional recommendations were proposed: • The Commonwealth should ensure transfer of technology and knowledge used to track cyber violence to less developed countries.

• Inclusive government approach and multi-sectoral approach should be adopted to elimination of cyber violence.
Recommendations from the workshop were: • Parliament must ensure that Parliamentary Committees on Cyber Crime are resourced with technical assistance to adequately respond to cyber threats through Computer Incident Response Teams.

• CPA should develop digital literacy initiatives that provide: awareness campaigns and strategies to address cyber violence; computing and social media workshops to empower women through technology.
• The internet and social media provide young people with a range of benefits, and opportunities to empower themselves in a variety of ways.

Young people can maintain social connections and support networks.

All recommendations from the workshop were endorsed.

6 Workshop E: The radicalisation of young people and how we are dealing with this challenge throughout the Commonwealth Discussion leaders discussed their perspectives and experiences from within their jurisdictions.
The workshop also heard from an outside expert - the Commonwealth young person of the year from Cameroon - who shared his experiences trying to combat youth radicalisation and create a space for young people to promote peace.
Delegates and discussion leaders compared their experiences of what the causes of radicalisation of young people were, noting that younger people were more often the target of such approaches - one discussion leader pointed out that you never hear about older people retiring and being lured into terrorist acts.
Some causes discussed in the workshop include the use of gangs, convicted terrorists using jails to convert young people, poor governance and a lack of democracy which contributes to intolerance and injustice, and the internet including social media.

One discussion leader noted that CHOGM in 2015 had as one its outcomes to combat radicalisation and pointed out the establishment of the Commonwealth Counter Terrorism Unit which was unveiled at the summit.
He further suggested that to prevent radicalisation the Commonwealth Youth Council should be funded and a commitment made to the expansion of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Another discussion leader suggested that a practical way to address the issue was to use as a roadmap the UN Security Council Resolution No.

2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.


The third discussion leader suggested that, just as we have sustainable development goals which are monitored and assessed, so too should we have benchmarks on youth radicalisation which could be moderated.
Recommendations from the workshop were: • Parliaments must ensure that governance, structural and developmental challenges that engender radicalization are prioritized and addressed, and that human rights-based counter radicalization programmes are adequately resourced.

• Parliaments should partner with young people for sustainable peace, prevention of violent extremism, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2250- youth, peace and security.
• Formulate practical steps, procedures and goals to contain and prevent radicalization.

To promote de-radicalization and set-up a monitoring/grading system evaluating attainment of such goals.

All recommendations from the workshop were endorsed.
Workshop F: The media plays a large role in promoting public mistrust of Parliamentarians The workshop took the form of a debate, with two of the discussion leaders speaking in favour of the motion that "the media plays a large role in promoting public mistrust of parliamentarians," and one speaking against.

The majority of speakers in favour of the motion highlighted examples of factual inaccuracies in news reports, perceived media bias and the rise of social media.
Arguments against included the importance of freedom of speech, journalists holding politicians to account for their actions and a free press being the fourth estate in a modern democracy.

During a vote at the end of the workshop, the motion was carried by 16 votes to 6.

Recommendations from the workshop were: • The media portrayal of politicians and parliamentarians fuels public mistrust, deflects young people from politics and compromises those who work for constituents in public office.
• The media acts as an ombudsman for every endeavour in public life.

Its accurate coverage of parliamentarians can encourage introspection and requisite course correction.

• The CPA should provide masterclasses or training for Parliamentarians on interaction with members of the media, effective communication and the use of social media.

The first and third recommendations from the workshop were endorsed.

The second recommendation from the workshop was noted.

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7 5'" Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference Main CWP Conference theme: 'Political Violence against Women'.

Session 1: Violence and Intimidation of Women during Elections The session focused on the fact that throughout the Commonwealth, women face violence and intimidation when they decide to run for political office.

Such intimidation may range from being assaulted, sexually abused, psychologically manipulated or even murdered.
It is imperative that women in public office work to safeguard the protection of their right to serve in political life, and to put in place such measures as to ensure their protection.

While violence and intimidation may be dismissed as a cost of doing politics, it rather serves as a severe detrimental cost to the entire political process.

The summary of CWP Session 1 above from the workshop was endorsed.
Session 2: Parliament's Role in Raising Awareness of Political Violence against Women, and Women's Equal Civil and Political Rights Members urged global parliamentary bodies such as the CPA to play an effective role in protecting and promoting the cause of women.

The CPA was urged to consider establishing an Observer and Inquiry Commission under Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians where women's grievances can be redressed.
Further, the need for CWP to regularly monitor the status of women in political participation and publish periodical reports thereof, and exert influence on member states in ensuring transparency and level political field in and outside parliament was stressed.

One Member recommended the creation of parliamentary codes of conduct, in all countries, that addresses sexual harassment and associated complaint-settlement procedures.
Parliaments were encouraged to establish women's parliamentary caucuses as a gateway to solidarity in ending gender-based political violence.

The Inter Parliamentary Union representative reiterated the key role of both male and female parliamentarians in ensuring an equitable legal environment that deters violence against women, guarantees strong and enforced laws on equality and combats sexism and violence against women.
Drawing on Canada as a positive case in point, it was recommended that parliaments and political parties ensure that women politicians work in an environment free from sexiest remarks and sexual harassment.

Collaboration with civil society and the media in denouncing unacceptable behaviour against women was agreed as a viable means of mitigating the political culture barrier.

The recommendations were attested to by positive implemented some of the recommendations outlined.
follow up contributions from Members whose jurisdictions have Recommendations from the CWP Session 2 were: • Parliaments should promote institutional reforms and political cultures that guarantee safe working environments for all, including internal policies against sexist language, attitudes and sexual harassment.
• Parliaments must provide conducive political environments for women by focusing on anti women mind-sets {including within Parties) and to eradicate gender-based violence through effectively executing legislation.

• A Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Staff on Sexual Harassment, with training to promote understanding and enforcement with strong consequences for violations All recommendations from the CWP Session 2 were endorsed.

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8 Session 3: Legislating Effectively to Protect Women from Political Violence Some of the significant factors and positions expressed during this session were: women in politics are exposed to violence by sheer virtue of being women in politics; violence against women politicians deters some women from seeking political office; once women have been elected, violence against them serves as an obstacle to fully performing their roles.
Of particular note, social media has greatly increased women politicians' exposure to threats of violence and abuse.

In seeking to reduce violence against women, it is helpful to have quantifiable measures of violence against women.

Where laws do not exist to prevent violence against women politicians, laws should be put in place.

Furthermore, where legislation is in place, it needs to be effective and enforceable.
Where some women politicians have been demeaned or verbally disparaged by some male colleagues, parliamentarians should seek to model respectful behaviour.

This in turn may contribute to changing the culture of violence against women politicians.

Awareness needs to be raised that violence against women politicians is a real issue; and it was noted that education is key.

It is helpful for women in politics to stand up for each other.
Violence against women affects everyone, not just women; it is important to recognise that many male colleagues also wish to prevent violence against women politicians.

An inclusive approach that sees parliamentarians, regardless of gender, working together towards preventing violence against women, would be constructive.
Recommendations from the CWP Session 3 were: • Parliaments should undertake gender mainstreaming in their legislative processes and functions, through gender-based analysis built into standing orders and other rules of parliament.

• Parliament, having promoted the active participation of women in politics, must introduce effective measures to protect women from political violence.
#nopoliticalviolenceagainstwomen • Parliament must promote good practice in legislating to protect women from political violence and work with Parliaments across the Commonwealth raising awareness of women's issues.

All recommendations from the CWP Session 3 were endorsed. '
' Session 4: The Role of Civil Society and the Media in Tackling Political Violence against Women Political violence against women remains one of the key obstacles adversely affecting the welfare of many democracies within the Commonwealth and beyond.

This manifests itself in terms of physical, sexual and psychological violence.

It is commonly observed that women face violence and intimidation when they decide to run for political office.
Delegates noted the different perspectives presented by the discussion leaders and made several recommendations for the consideration of parliamentarians within the Commonwealth community.

The presenter also noted that abuse of language influences certain gender stereotypes which denigrate women in different political settings.

Equally, lack of penal codes in the specific legislations remains a challenge in many parliaments.
Although media and civic society have a significant role to play in addressing the challenge of political violence, it is often argued that a majority of influential positions in the media are still occupied by male counterparts who are still uninformed about the rights of women.

To this end, participants endorsed the recommendation that Parliaments and Governments must work with media agencies to counter the use of language that minimises or trivialises violence against women in politics.
Parliaments must criminalise political violence against women as such.

When committed systematically, ' 9 political violence against women is 'persecution', a crime under international law.

Civic society must invest in education of the boy child and ·in a change of attitudes.

Recommendations from the CWP Session 4 were: • Parliaments and Governments must work with media agencies to counter the use of language that minimises or trivialises violence against women in politics.
• Parliaments must criminalise political violence against women as such.

When committed systematically, political violence against women is "persecution", a crime under international law.

• That political violence against women is not limited to acts against women running for office but has its genesis and perpetuation elsewhere.
• Women parliamentarians united, should speak out, address root causes of violence against women, perform awareness-raising and place the issue on the agenda in different platforms.

All recommendations from the CWP Session 4 were endorsed.

351" CPA Small Branches Conference The CPA Small Branches Conference was held under the main conference theme: 'A Collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity and Common Challenges'.
Session 1: The role of the Commonwealth in supporting the outcomes of the COP21 Paris Agreement on Climate Change Many Small Branches struggle with a fundamental dilemma with respect to climate change.

Many are island states who stand to feel the negative impacts of climate change first and most profoundly.

However, because of their small populations and economies, they have limited ability to influence overall reduction targets and limited resources to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.
Notwithstanding, Small Branches feel a responsibility to participate in climate change mitigation as a means of putting pressure on the efforts of large states, particularly those in the developed world.

Recommendations from the Small Branches Session 1 were: Climate change is an issue for us all, but we cannot do it alone.

The key role of the Commonwealth will be to support the smaller nations.
The CPA can facilitate collaborative action, and it can support Parliamentarians in moving forward in terms of climate action.

Global appetite for action on climate change has increased, which provides an opportunity for a small, isolated nation, to show global leadership and demonstrate commitment to combat this issue.

All recommendations from the Small Branches Session 1 were endorsed.
10 Session 2: The role of Parliament in the protection and safeguarding of children The discussion leaders began the workshop by outlining some of the challenges currently facing Parliaments around the Commonwealth regarding the protection and safeguarding of children.

In a very open and compassionate discussion, Delegates shared their experiences of serious issues facing children in their home countries, as well as initiatives undertaken by their Parliament to address them.
Similarities could be drawn in the problems faced by Parliamentarians in ensuring the protection of children, particularly indigenous children and those in the care of the state or in the juvenile detention system.

The Delegates agreed that whilst the outcomes from Committees and Inquires were useful for providing recommendations and drawing attention to the issues, real financial support needs to be allocated by governments to ensure the recommendations are implemented and followed through.
Recommendations from the Small Branches Session 2 were: • In small states the Parliament must play a pivotal role in ensuring legislative and administrative safeguards for our children, including though its committee system.

• Parliamentarians must be keenly aware of the historic and cultural factors that have led to the need to protect certain populations of children.
• Parliamentarians should give due attention to the implementation of human rights mechanisms and recommendations ensuring adequate budgetary provisions for the rights of the child.

All recommendations from the Small Branches Session 2 were endorsed.
Session 3: Eliminating barriers to women's leadership in politics in Small Branches The presenters emphasised the need for Governments to ensure that adequate funds are available for programmes that promote women to participate in politics and enter into Parliament.

These programmes, in the case of Guernsey, has increased the number of women involved in politics and 30% of MPs are women.
There was also the recognition of the need for all to 'work together' to help mobilise women to stand for politics and increase the number of women in Parliament.

It was also recognised that women overall are still trying to prove to the community their worth to be Parliamentarians.

The trend should be for women and men to be walking and working together.

Gender equality should be promoted and encouraged at all levels.
There should be a paradigm shift put into practice to rid society of barriers hindering women's opportunities to enter politics.

It was acknowledged that because of their varied tasks, women became 'multi-skilled' covering wide-ranging areas which would be advantageous if they become MPs.

Women have the highest number of victims from domestic violence and abuse.

Yet in Parliament women have the lowest number in the Pacific region.
MPs can enact much needed legislation and advocate gender equality in society including Parliament to encourage and support women in politics.

It was generally acknowledged that there should be equal opportunity for women and men in all sectors of society.

It was recognised that in the labour market in many communities there are great discrepancies where women are considered second rate and there potential are undermined.

There is also 'private violence' against women.


In small island communities where everyone knows everyone else, even small issues relating to a specific woman would result in her being ostracized in the community and their chances of moving into politics would be minimal.

On the other hand men don't get this kind of treatment.

Sometimes perception about women in their society has not been too encouraging.

People generally are far too judgmental about women.
Nevertheless, women should be encouraged to be 'role models' for other women and young girls to look up to for their future.

'Equal rights for women and men' should not only be expressed verbally but should be followed up with commitment and practical meaningful actions.

Too often women in the community are heavily and unfairly scrutinised, yet men are not treated as much as women in this regard.
There is also the need to use 'gender neutral' languages, for instance, Policeman should be referred to as Police Officer.

11 It was acknowledged that the number of women MPs differs amongst the various jurisdictions due to numerous factors some of which are cultural, social and economic.

We should not be relying on women to encourage women, this is a joint initiative between women and men.

Traditionally women encourage women, but during these modern times we should be working together.
By the same token, collaborative effort is necessary to rid the barriers hindering women's involvement in politics and opportunities to stand for Parliamentary elections.

Nowadays there is an increase in the sharing of responsibilities between men and women in the home environment.

MPs can design policies and pass legislations to improve women's representation in Parliament.
Even within the Parliamentary precincts, it could be possible to establish children's day care centres to enable young children to be close to their mother rather than the mother travelling back and forward to their homes to attend to the children's needs.

Recommendations from the Small Branches Session 3 were: • Parliaments must ensure that there is funding and support for campaigns to encourage more women to stand for election and take leadership roles within parliaments.
• Gender Based initiatives on increasing Women's representation in Parliament be backed up by mechanisms, strategies and Fundamental Principles including targets, supported by the CPA.

• The logic would suggest that women experience fewer and less severe obstacles to their leadership ambitions in small branches, but the reality is very different.

The first and third recommendations from Small Branches Session 3 were noted.

The second recommendation from the workshop was endorsed.
-Ends- A CPA Press Release For immediate release, Tuesday 13 December 2016 Commonwealth Parliamentarians to focus on unity and collaboration at 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth will gather in London, United Kingdom this week for the 62"• Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is the annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
representing This unique conference brings together Speakers, Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff the nine regions of the CPA.

The CPA reaches all 52 countries of the Commonwealth as well as over 180 national, sub-national and and territorial Parliaments Legislatures bringing together the the CPA Branches of Association.

The main conference theme for 2016 at the annual event is: A Collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity and Common Challenges.
Workshops and debates will be held during the conference on a wide range of topics including the role of the Commonwealth in fostering freedom of religion or belief; ending violence against women and girls; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Climate Change; and the radicalisation of young people.

The 62"• Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will take place in London, United Kingdom, hosted the CPA Headquarters Secretariat.
During the 62"' Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, there will be a number of additional conferences and meetings including: CPA General Assembly; 35th Small Branches Conference- including the Election of the Chairperson of the Small Branches; 4th Triennial including the Election of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference - Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians; Society of Clerks-at-the-Table (SOCATT) Meetings.
The Executive Committee of the CPA met ahead of the 62"' Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in London, UK.

The CPA Executive Committee represents the nine regions of the CPA- Africa; Asia; Australia; British Islands and Mediterranean; Canada; Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic; India; Pacific; South East Asia.

The Executive Committee is chaired by Han.

Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh.
C P~ COMJ\1_0NWE-ALTH PARLIAMENTARY liSSOCtATION Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat Westminster House, Suite 700, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA, United Kingdom.

T: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 I F: +44 (0)20 7222 6073 I Website: www.cpahg.org I Email hq.sec@cpahg.org I Twitter ®CPA_Secretariat 1 Facebook.com/CPAHQ ' The Chairperson of the CPA International Executive Committee, Hon.
Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh said: "The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association {CPA} provides a unique platform for inter-parliamentary dialogue to take place.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's membership not only comprises national parliaments of the Commonwealth, but also provincial and state legislatures as well as devolved Assemblies.
The diverse nature of the membership provides the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with a unique position within the parliamentary community to offer a comprehensive perspective on how to strengthen parliamentary democracy Commonwealth-wide and discuss new and innovative approaches on how to do so.
The 62"" Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is the most prominent event in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's calendar, as it offers a unique opportunity for the representatives of the Association's 185 Member Parliaments and Legislatures to network with colleagues from other jurisdictions and discuss common issues of concern which affect Commonwealth Parliaments.
The workshops for this year's conference will discuss a wide range of topics such as the role for the Commonwealth in fostering freedom of religion or belief; ending violence against women and girls: the impact of social media and the internet in perpetrating violence; the role of Parliamentarians in implementing and monitoring policies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals; and the role of the Commonwealth in supporting the outcomes of the COP21 Paris Agreement on Climate Change."
CPA Flickr Album: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Executive Committee meeting chaired by Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament #2016CPC http :1/ti nyu rl.

com/je3 rwd r Social Media: Twitter #2016CPC @CPA_Secretariat I Facebook.com/CPAHQ I Online www.cpahq.org Notes to Editors -Ends- 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, 11-17 December 2016, London, United Kingdom The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is the annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
The 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will take place from 11-17 December 2016 (inclusive of arrival and departure days) in London, United Kingdom, hosted the CPA Secretariat.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) - The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) organises its annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) each year.
Global political issues and developments in the parliamentary system are analysed in conference debates among leading Parliamentarians representing Parliaments and Legislatures throughout the Commonwealth.

These plenary conferences were biennial from 1948 to 1959 and annual since 1961.

A summary of the main views expressed in conference debates is sent to Members, Commonwealth governments and international agencies.
The conference period also encompasses meetings of the CPA's General Assembly, the Executive Committee, Small Branches Members, the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians {CWP) and meetings for Parliamentary Clerks and Secretaries (SOCATI).
The following CPA Branches have hosted Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences in recent years: C P'A COMMONWEAl-TH l'AIU,IAMEN'tARY ASSOCIATION Commonwealth Parliamentary Associat1on (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat Westminster House, Suite 700, 7 Millbank, London SW1 P 3JA, United Kingdom.
T: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 I F: +44 (0)20 7222 6073 I Website: www.cpahq.org 1 Email hq.sec@cpahq.org 1 Twitter ®CPA_Secretariat 1 Facebook.com/CPAHQ 2014 Cameroon; 2013 South Africa; 2012 Sri Lanka; 2011 United Kingdom; 2010 Kenya; 2009 Tanzania; 2008 Malaysia; 2007 India.

For further information visit www.coahq.org/cpahq/annualconference.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), now in its 105'h year with HM The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth as its Patron, exists to develop, promote and support Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and to implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth.

The CPA is an international community of over 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth's commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.
Parliaments, their Members and officials learn from each other through CPA activities: Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences, Regional Conferences and other symposiums; lnterparliamentary visits; Parliamentary Seminars and Workshops; Publications including The Parliamentarian, the Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments; and the Parliamentary Information and Reference Centre.
For further information, please contact: Jeffrey Hyland, Editor, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association T: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 (switchboard) I T: +44 (0)20 7227 1696 (direct) I E: jh@cpahq.org r . '

C P'A COMMONWE:ALTH l'AI\LIAMENTARY ASSOClA'tiON Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat Westminster House, Suite 700, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA, United Kingdom.
T: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 I F: +44 (0)20 7222 6073 I Website: www.cpahg.org 1 Email hg.sec®cpahg.org 1 Twitter ®CPA_Secretariat 1 Facebook.com/CPAHQ Election of the 1st Chairperson for Small Branche in the Commonwealth - 13112116 Chair: I would like to announce to our members the first election of the small branches.

I would like to inform members that I am presenting at the request of the CPA Secretary General.

Before anything further, I want to continue.

Those in favour say: Aye.

(Hon.


Members: Aye) As per the 35th Small Branches Conference programme, which has been circulated to members, we shall begin the procedure for the election of the small branches chairperson.

At this time I would to like the Secretary General as the confirming officer to announce the procedure for the election.

MR AKBAR KHAN: Thank you Mr Chairperson.


My apologies to you for being late but I will outline the procedure that the Secretariat has taken in order to progress with the election process today.

It was agreed back at the general assembly in 2011, with rules with regard to covering the contested elections.

It was also agreed in 2011, and by the executive meeting in 2016, and by analogy, those are the rules that we are using here, bearing in mind what was adopted by the General Assembly Council.
So we have proceeded on basis of what we are using.

The Secretariat issue in a circular letter on the 6th May 2016, giving notification of the election deadline, by which nominations had to be received, the 5th July 2016, carried a deadline by which candidates statements had to be received in the relevant branches.
Moreover the postponement of the 62nd CPC in Dhaka, new dates for the candidacy circulated branches in each chamber, and an additional application and new dates, 35 small branches elections as provided.

According to election rules, ' '' ' .

Election CPA Pagel cr given that 60 days prior to the new election date, nomination period be opened, branches were given until the 14th October to nominate candidates.

The existing candidates of that time were automatically taken forward.
Candidates' statements had to be submitted to the CPA by the 13th November.

Circular letters were sent to all branches on the 21st October 2016, providing information to re-validate nominations which have been received together with the candidate by the office.

This information was again circulated to target other small branches complaints.

On the 31st October, the Secretariat received a letter from one of the candidates to withdraw from the election.
On the 8th December, a second candidate, informed by the Secretariat, he was also withdrawing for the election; leaving one candidate.

Notification of these withdrawals was circulated to all branches on the 19th December 2016.

The remaining sole candidate submitted his candidate statement by the 14th November deadline.

This was reviewed by the Secretariat.


A preliminary electoral role is compiled using registration information submitted by candidates which was available on website on the 7th December 2016.

All branches and candidates where informed.

Finally the postage on the conference website 24 hours before the start of this conference at 0900 hours on the 12th December 2016.

That concludes the process that has been followed according to the procedure and in accordance with the contested elections.
Thank you very much.

The Chair: Speaker of Bermuda Thank you Mr Secretary General.

Let me just advice the meeting that as valid nominations were received by the 60 day deadline, no nominations shall be excepted from the floor in accordance to Section 1 E of the rules, who say: no valid '.
Election CPA Page 2 C1f nomination is received in the period required in the paragraph b, that should define the small branches conference may receive otherwise valid nominations from the floor at the meeting to which the election of takes place.

I also advise to the committee that the CPA rules for conducting contested elections on section 7C, six states and there is only one candidate.
The persons may vary the requirement for a secret ballot, and even the candidate should have been elected by acclamation.

Hereby asking members to indicate that they would wish to bare the requirement for secret ballot and have him elected by acclamation.

I ask that all those in favour of the requirement, are adhering to as elected by acclamation, please say Aye.

(members: Aye) Those against?

Agreed.


(Members: Cheer, cheer) I take this opportunity to congratulate the Honourable Anglu Farrugia from Malta.

I ask you to the board and address the members please.

HON.

ANGLU FARRUGIA: Your Secretary General, Speaker, Honourable members, colleagues, I have to confess that it is indeed an honour for me to be elected as first Chairperson of such a prestigious role in the small branches of the Commonwealth.
First of all I would to thank the person who nominated me, a colleague from Malta, and also the person who seconded me, the Hon Speaker of Cook Islands Niki Rattle.

In order to support my presidency, as Speaker also of another Small State in the Commonwealth, I have been elected in the Parliament for the last 20 years, I have learnt through the years the strength of a small country in the Commonwealth by being decisive in order to be able to work to the other parliaments, in order to make a difference.
I say this because we have had quite a number of challenges as a small country along the years.

For example, coming ; .

January we will have the Presidency of the European Council.

We are the smallest Election CPA Page 3 ~ country in the European Union.

We have quite a number of challenges: we have Brexit and others.
As a Parliament we are also to host several inter parliamentary conferences, which are of paramount importance, including other conferences, which include the Transatlantic Congress, US Congress and European Parliament.

However, this is also now for me another new occasion to come together to express views, particularly obstacles, as discussed this morning, that we have to face in the coming years, as well as to share good practices which a small Parliament may face.
So, I say this also in the light of historical and present occasions, where greater parliaments had a greater power over other smaller parliaments.

The Maltese Parliament and other parliaments present here, and have influenced at the time our thinking and our way of taking decisions along the way.

However, I am sure that any point in time, in our respective parliaments, we have felt both fortunate and also sometimes frustrated that we belong to such small parliament.
But, I speak from experience and think we should share this idea: instead of regretting our faith, let us use the occasion to present our good practices and learn from each other, as we have have always done so far.
I believe, I strongly believe, that members of Parliament, being from any parliament, irrespective of the size worldwide, should be always the leading actors and chief promoters, firstly of peace and mutual understanding; but also to advocate first and foremost the best interest of the people and of the country.
As I have expressed on previous occasions, I am confident that parliamentary diplomacy, in which we believe very strongly in the results of parliamentary diplomacy on both bilateral and multilateral level is important, and adds another value to the international efforts of cooperation.

From the multilateral level of course, to the work of regional organisations, such as this important Commonwealth parliamentary association, small parliaments are given the Election CPA Page4 6f!

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opportunity and this Commonwealth parliamentary association is a particular organisation that gives this platform to share struggles and well as victories.

So we, as small states must be prepared, must not be afraid, to address contemporary challenges through the powers that our respective parliament possesses.

These contemporary challenges, which we, both as parliamentarians and primarily as legislators, have to face our daily lives, are as we know on the increase.
We have youth unemployment, which is adding the value and contributing towards that we have to put more energy for a stronger Commonwealth, we have to reshape in order to make Commonwealth work, which is also the key of last year CHOGM which was held in my country and the even increasing and pressing need to collaborate in order to combat another issue very challenging: the threat of terrorism.

I don't want to take more time.

I am here to work with you.


I want to take you for your support, for your vote which you took by acclamation.

Thank you colleagues.

I am pleased to be present with you now.


This is a perfect occasion not only to meet on a personal ~ ' level, but also in time and to feel confident that the exchange of ideas and also the dynamic discussions carried put between us will continue not only in the coming months, but also in coming years, in order to collectively yield positive results for all our branches and for all our citizens!

Thank you very much.

(Members: Cheer, cheer) The Chair: Thank you Mr Chairperson.
The meeting is now adjourned.

Thank you.

Election CPA Page 5 Speaker's intervention on the Commonwealth's CPA Conference in London - 15/12/16, workshop on the role of the Media in putting public mistrust in politicians I am the Speaker of the House of Malta.

I would like to make some observations.


The motion is not about whether we should have freedom of the media, or freedom of the press, but the question is whether is served as playing a role in discouraging and in putting public mistrust in politicians.

In order to answer that question, we have to ask another question to ourselves: the new generation are more interested to enter politics than the previous generation?
I can say that in my country it seems that the younger generation are less interested in entering politics than the generation that I was in.

I have been in Parliament for the last 20 and 21 years.

One thing which I feel we should think about in this interesting debate is whether every professional should be regulated by a code of ethics.
At the moment we have a very important Bill which is discussed in our Parliament as regards to the appointment of a commission of public standards in order to investigate any misconduct with regards to ethic behaviour by any politician, irrespective whether he is the prime minister or a back bencher.

The information that the commission of public standards could investigate can be received by any citizen in the country, including journalists!

Now I put and reverse the question to the journalists.
In fact on Monday corning - coincidentally or not - I have a very interesting seminar in Parliament with the leading journalist in Malta, open to the public, where we will discuss whether they would accept a code of ethics to regulate their profession.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander.


Another question which we sometimes happen to give our decision ruling as speakers of the House is what is ~~~~~~~~~~~M MT -on media Page 1 fJ reported by the media, what is said in Parliament and is not reported even correctly ...

The importance is the correctness of the report.

The damage that could be done sometimes is irreparable.
It's true I can give a ruling that whoever reported incorrectly was not reporting in a faithful way, and I may give some remedies to the member of Parliament who was perhaps reported in a diagonal way rather than the proper way .. .

The very recent case was when a member who twitted on Twitter alleging that a Minister lied under oath during a parliamentary committee.
Once you are reporting what has been stated in Parliament could be the reason why the Speaker could rule whether there was a breach of privilege according to the Standing Orders or the Law itself.

Again, the damage that has been done in the trust on politicians is incalculable!

So, it's a hybrid area.

However, I feel that we are not talking about freedom of speech, which is the fourth pillar which you correctly said, and is very important.
I can say that in my country every political party has his own political television and radio station.

Politics in Malta is like a religion!

98% of the population vote in every election!

Even those who are in a dying bed would like to go and vote!

They just pray that did their job!

It is not the question of voting, but is a question of the having future generation being interested in public life, in doing the role of leading the society.
So, the motion, as it is, we should think closely in the debate that with a big yes, there are areas where the media sometimes is in the hands of those who I would say mercenarise the media.

You gave an example about a media which is manipulated.

It is a normal occurrence, like the case of some bloggers that are always hitting and character assassinating particular persons.

Thank you very much.


MT-on media Page2 CJ Intervention by Orest Nowasad during the CPA Conference on the 13th December 2016, dealing with child exploitation.

Sometimes you left it were it is.

We could not get it, because we are certainly sure, and that includes the office where I work, we do look at the issues of alternatives to child care, home care.

It's something that is very critical.

But with children and all victims, we start with the promise to do no harm.
That's were we really have to pay attention.

I think that if we look at the anger in today's world of argue, we have done something wrong in the last 20 years; because there is so much anger, so much frustration so much guilt feeling that do not feel engaged.

So, when the respresentative of Malta said, we really need to pay attention to prevent further mistrust.

We always look at the response to the problem that we find out really create a framework.
I think the discussion on social media is a delicate one, ~ ' speaking of not wanting to loose the freedom of opinion and expression, allows us to think more but with proper role models, like what I don't know, we have also engaged with our organisations and I don't know where the brick wall is, and why.

We are well aware about it, started some progress but yet, it does not move forward.

We can't figure it out.


That's why I would have welcomed the engagement by many and the room where delted issues after the probation to the issue, through the discussion, your practices, you quit practices, you ban practices, and see where we count the table where we can some to a solution.

Access to present situation, you are absolutely right.

Sometimes we focus a little too much on the legal mechanisms; we have the informal mechanisms, the national human rights institutions have Their own way etc.
Some of those cost as much.

Again, we also have the option protocol to the convension of the rights whichever one individual MT-Orest Nowosad Page 1 complaints to the mechanism.

Now, unfortunetaly for them to come into persuation, you have to have exhausted all these procedures.

So that if someone is banned to give the information?

But I am pleased that you mentioned also the issue of time limits.
I think that is absolutely critical and do leave us scars, to start healing and not be left open to reveal other possibilities I have just one comment: we worked very closely with the Inter Parliamentary Union.

It comes ambrace many of the communities.

I don't know if the governmental structure enough to know whether that' s the role that yours CPS Sectretariat is doing to more formally interface between your consituancy and the treating at an instituational level.

Thank you very much for your time.


The Chair: Thank you very much to all the presenters and certainly to all those who have joined the idea of this conversation .. MT -Orest N owosad Page 2 ; .

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Speaker Anglu Farrugia intervention during the CPA Conference held in London, December 2016, during the workshop addressing The Sustainable Development Goals - 15/12/16 Thank you Mr Chairman.

I am the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta, Angelo Farrugia.

I would like to make some comments.


First of all I would like to congratulate all the speakers.

I remember you quite well in South Africa, when we discussed the question of poverty.

I want to say that although we have these goals, there are particular goals that if you address one particular goal you are addressing other goals.
With regard to gender equality, I am coming to that because automatically you are addressing the quality of education and also the peace and justice as strong institutions, and also the reduced inequalities.

One thing which in Malta we did address in recent years is that we gave rights to transgender, LGBTs; we enacted laws for those who had a sex change, to also address their birth certificate.

We also have at the moment, in Parliament, a very important Bill addressing equality of gender.
Coming now, not only enacting the law, you have to have a proper oversight, which has been already addressed, whether you go a parliamentary oversight or for an independent authorities oversight.
I tend to agree for the latter one; not that the parliamentary oversight is not important, it has already been mentioned by the Zambian colleague from the Public Accounts Committee and other committees, but with regards to addressing inequalities, the public must in my opinion, and I think it is something that we are discussing also in our Parliament, in fact we have a Law for the establishment of a Pagel ~ '' " commission regarding human rights and equality of gender.
The concept of having a commission rather than a parliamentary oversight is that the public will be more secure when it comes to human rights that are being properly addressed by an authority.

Of course, when you address the gender equality you are automatically addressing that you are not making any discrimination with regards education.

For example, one thing which we felt is an imperative thing that we had to address in Malta is that we have free education to everyone, including refugees!
As you know in Malta we have a problem of refugees coming from North Africa, after problem in Libya, Syria, etc; where they have free education even at the level of tertiary education!

So there you are sending a message that the concept and one of the goals that you should not have inequalities or reducing inequalities, you are reducing inequalities not only in your society, but also those who are unfortunate to seek better future in the country.

Of course, Australia is one of them!


Another thing that we give importance is, and Parliament should give importance, especially these small state parliaments, where you have the law of the civil society, where civil society do have their own reports on what is happening in society, for example with regards to those living under the poverty line, where the pressure of the civil society might be enough for Parliament to address that problem.
In fact recent reports in my country we had to address the problem of whether the minimum wage should be increased or not; whether the minimum wage itself is sufficient for any person to basically live decently and normally in our society.

That was the pressure of civil society.

So, I think that the question of oversight which was mentioned in the presentation of Mr Charles?
?, whether we should have an oversight committee, I think that the Parliament has a good role there; but definitely we should also think Page 2 about a stronger oversight to ensure that the once the goals are achieved, they are properly followed in the betterment of our society.

Thank you very much.

Chair: Other comments from our panel?

Chair: Thank you Mr Speaker.


I think your comments remind me that I state of mind presentation it is very important how to have a good strong relationship with the states justice agency.

I ' Page 3 ~D ok utJr;?, 1 ]) · CPA British Isles & Mediterranean Region Meeting® CPC 2016 1130 Wednesday 14 December@ Plaza Suite 3, Level-4, Park Plaza Riverbank, London Agenda 1.

Chair's Welcome, Opening Remarks and Apologies (Regional Representative CPA Malta).

2.

3.
2.

3.

CWP Chairperson Elections- three minute presentation from each candidate (tbc) (Chair).

Reports: a.

Regional Representatives; Hon.

Carmela Abela MP (Malta) - to include outcomes from Small Branches' Conference, Rt Hon.

Sir Alan Haselhurst MP (UK), Councillor Christine Scipio O'Dean (St Helena).

c. d. e. CWP from CWP Regional Representative Joyce Watson AM (Wales).

Branches- in addition to e·reports received.


Regional Secretary, to include Conferences- Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences (CPC), CPA BlMR Regional Conferences, 8: BlMR CWP Conferences- weekend nearest International Women's Day (8 March)- with requests for branches to host(?

): • 63'': 2017 (Dhaka?)

• 47th 8: AGM: 21 - 24 May 2017 (Gibraltar) • 48th 8: AGM: May 2018 (Northern Ireland) • 49th & AGM: May 2019 (?)

• 4th: 3·5 March 2017 (Northern Ireland) 5th: March 2018 (Wales) • • 6'h: March 2019 (?)
• 7'h: March 2019 (?)

i 4.

Standing Item: EU -Commonwealth Activities and Issues.

5.

Next Meetings: • BIMR AGM at 47th Regional Conference • September 2017 Meeting at 63'd CPC 6.

Any other business. '

;PA BIMR Secretariat /estminster Ha.

!l Lm1don United.

Kiug:dom SWJA OAA 'I; +44 (0) 20 7219 .5373 i F, +44 (0) 20 233 1202 F: cpa.
({l)padiament.uk I \X': W'\n..v.parliamcnr.uk/cpauk il\ I Li.t Minutes of CPA British Isles a: Mediterranean Region Meeting@ CPC 2016 1130 Wednesday 14 December@ Plaza Suite 3, Level-4, Park Plaza Riverbank, London 1.

Chair's Welcome, Opening Remarks and Apologies (Regional Representative CPA Malta).

1.01.

Chair Hon.

Carmela Abela MP (Malta) welcomed colleagues to the BIMR meeting noting that it would be his last meeting as Regional Representative and CPA ExCo Member.
Jo-Anne Dobson MLA (Northern Ireland) would take on the appointment of Regional Representative at the meeting of the new CPA ExCo on Friday 16 December.

1.02.

Roberta Blackman· Woods MP (UK) thanked Hon.

Carmela Abela MP for his hard work as Regional Representative and as a Member of CPA ExCo.

1.03.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Derek Thomas (Regional Representative, St Helena), the Chair welcomed Councillor Christine Scipio O'Dean (St Helena) as alternate.

2.

Elections.

2.01.


Chairperson Small Branches· Hon.

Angelu Farrugia MP (Malta).

The Chair congratulated Hon.

Speaker Farrugia MP (Malta) on his recent election to the new ExCo and Coordinating Committee upon his appointment as the first Chairperson of CPA Small Branches.

2.02.

Hon.

Angelu Farrugia MP noted that his appointment as the first ever Chairperson of Small Branches is a step forward in bringing the voice of the Small Branches to the CPA ExCo.
Speaker Farrugia had met with the Secretary General, to discuss "how the Small Branches can enhance their role in CPA".

It was stressed that being a Small Branch need not be a handicap so long as there was determination to make a difference.

~ ' 2.03.

CWP Chairperson.

It had not been possible to invite all four CWP Chairperson candidates to speak at the meeting.

The Chair invited BIMR's candidate Joyce Watson AM (Wales) to say a few words.
a. Joyce Watson AM outlined her achievements to date including her instrumental role in establishing the first Anti-Trafficking Commissioner and her work with the White Ribbon Campaign to encourage men to support ending VAWG.

She noted her passion for changing the lives of women - a priority she would bring to the role of CWP Chair.

The Chair wished Joyce well with the election.


b. Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods MP encouraged all female delegates to support Joyce at the CWP election, and asked all female delegates to stay behind to discuss further.

Afternote.

Hon Noraini Ahmad MP (Malaysia) was elected as CWP Chairperson on Friday 16 CPA BIMR Secretariat ' \~esrm.iaster H;tll London Unit.ed Kl ngdom SW!
A MA ·r, +44 (o) 2o 7219 53731 "' +44 <\ll2o z,c~j 1202 E-: cpa@pn.diamem.uk I \XI'~ www.parliBment.ukicpauk C P~ COMMONWEALTH PARLJAMENTARY ASSOCIATION December, receiving 53 votes.

Joyce Watson AM received 15 votes, Poto Williams (New Zealand) 10 votes and Linda Reid MLA (British Columbia) 5 votes.

3.

Reports.

3.01.

Regional Representatives.

The Chair reported that the Regional Representatives had attended a meeting of ExCo on Monday 12 December and participated in the Sub Committee meetings.
Work in all the meetings had gone well and the changes recommended from the April 2016 ExCo Report looked to be on track, if ExCo continue to support them.

The Chair invited ExCo colleagues to report further.

a.

Sir Alan Haselhurst MP (UK) thanked the Chair for his time as Regional Representative and ExCo Member and Councillor Christine Scipio O'Dean for standing in as alternate.

Sir Alan noted that there appeared to be a momentum towards progress within CPA.
Vicki Dunne MLA (Australian Capital Territory) had been elected as Treasurer for three years, CPA Vice Chairperson and CWP Chairperson would take place on Friday 16 December.

Afternote.

Han.

Emilia Likafa MP, Deputy Speaker of Cameroon was elected as CPA Vice Chairperson.

The result of the vote at the first meeting of the new CPA ExCo on Friday 16 December was 20- 12 (Hon.

Alexandra Mendes MP, Canada).

b.

Sir Alan reported further that the first CPC Working Group had met.
The option of having CPC every two years and disaggregating the CWP Conference and Small Branches Conference had been suggested.

c. Councillor Christine Scipio O'Dean (St Helena) noted that the election of a Small Branches Chairperson from BIMR was a great achievement, but expressed disappointment that it had taken a long time for this position to be created.

3.02.

BIMR CWP- Joyce Watson AM (Wales) gave an update of the CWP activity in the region.
I , a. it was reported that The BIMR CWP Conference in Jersey in February had been a success.

Deputy Sandra James who had been the driving force behind the Conference and promoting greater participation by women in Jersey had lost her seat in the recent elections.

Joyce Watson paid tribute to Sandra James's hard work.

b.

It was noted that the next BIMR CWP Conference would take place in March 2017 focussing on the theme of mental health.
The 2018 Conference would take place in Cardiff and focus on women in the economy.

c. BIMR CWP remained one of the most active CWP regions in CPA.

3.03.

Small Branches Conference.

The conference had taken place on Tuesday 13 December, delegates gave a summary of proceedings.

a.

Three topics had been covered at the Conference: Paris COP21, Safeguarding of Children and Women in politics.
All the plenaries had been lively, however Deputy Michelle LeClerc (Guernsey) noted reluctance from some in regard to fulfilling gender quality.

b.

It was noted that it would have been useful for delegates to have prior notice of the recommendations they would be asked to approve at the CPC and the integral conferences.

Concern was also expressed over the wording of the recommendations with the suggestion that there should be further oversight of this at future Conferences.
c. The Small Branches Conference coincided with the first meeting of ExCo, meaning ExCo Members were unable to attend.

As the Small Branches Chair will be a member of ExCo it was noted that this could be an issue if repeated.

d. Councillor Christine Scipio O'Dean suggested this feedback be passed on to CPA HQ as well as a request that a report from the Conference be made available for delegates.

3.04.

Branch Reports.

To be circulated with minutes of the meeting.

3.05.

Conferences.
3.05.

Conferences.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences (CPC), CPA BIMR Regional Conferences, a BIMR CWP Conferences were noted as follows: • 63'd: 2017 (Dhaka?)

• 47th a AGM: 21 - 24 May 2017 (Gibraltar) • 48'h a AGM: May 2018 (Northern Ireland) • 49'h & AGM: May 2019 (request for branches to host) • 41h: 3-5 March 2017 (Northern Ireland) • 51h: March 2018 (Wales) • 611': March 2019 (request for branches to host) • 7'h: March 2020 (request for branches to host) 4.
Standing Item: EU -Commonwealth Activities and Issues.

4.01.

The Chair noted that Malta would take on the rotating Presidency of the EU on 1 January 2017, an interesting opportunity for a small Member State.

4.02.

The Chair noted that Article 50 had yet to be triggered and thus the negotiations of the UK's exit from the EU had yet to commence.

5.

Next Meetings.

5.01.

• BIMR AGM at 47th Regional Conference • September 2017 Meeting at 63'd CPC 6.

Any other business.

6.01.


There was no other business.

'.

'.

Report by the Malta Branch to the Society of Clerks at the Table December, 2016 The Malta Branch has the following to repmi upon since the submission of its last repmi at the CPA BIMR Almual General Meeting, held in Jersey in May 2016: 1.

11.

111. iv.

v. vi.

Hon.

Speaker Anglu Farrugia delivered the annual speech in commemoration of events that took place on 7 June 1919, also known as the "Sette Giugno Commemoration".
This date is associated with a turning point in Malta's history, effectively leading to Malta's right, for the first time, of self-government on domestic matters.

On 20 July 2016, the Parliamentary Service Act was approved by Parliament.

This Act provides for the establishment of a Parliamentary Service and to provide for matters consequential and ancillary thereto.
Through this Act, the Speaker has the control of the parliamentary offices and services in the parliamentaTy precincts and all such offices and services as may be supplied elsewhere by the House or its members.

Thus, there shall be established an autonomous Parliamentary Service independent from the Executive.

On 30 September 2016, Mr Leo Brincat presented his resignation from his duties as Member of Parliament to take up his duties as a member of the European Court of Auditors.
On II October 2016, by way of a casual election on the Ninth Electoral District, Dr Clifton Grima was elected member of the House to fill the seat vacated following the resignation ofMr Leo Brincat from Member of Parliament.

In the run-up to the 2017 Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, PaTliament is organising a number of inter-parliamentary meetings and events in the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the Presidency.
Since May 2016, bills presented to Parliament and cunently at second reading stage included: a.

The Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression: An Act to prohibit conversion therapy, as a deceptive and harmful act or practice against a person's sexual orientation, gender identity and, or gender expression, and to affinn such characteristics.

b.
b.

Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics: An Act to provide for the recognition and registration of the gender of a person and to regulate the effects of such a change, as well as the recognition and protection of the sex characteristics of a person.

vii.

The Bill on Standards in Public Life is on the Parliament's agenda and is currently at Second Reading stage.
This proposed law, which provides for the appointment of a Commissioner for Standards in Public Life by means of a resolution approved by two-thirds of the House, is intended as useful guide for those persons in public life and provides for sanctions in the event of breaches of its provisions.

. '

. '

. '

viii.

Since May 2016 Acts approved by Parliament included: a.
Human Organs, Tissues and Cells Donation Act: An Act to provide for human organs, tissues and cell donation and transplantation in Malta and to provide for matters ancillaty or consequential thereto; and b.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: An Act to make provision for the substantive Articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol to the said Convention, to become, and be, enforceable as patt of the Law of Malta.
Briefing Note in Preparation for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) & Small Branches Conference London, United Kingdom 11 - 17 December 2016 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PARLIAMENT OF MALTA REPUBLIC STREET, VALLETTA, MALTA '' Theme of Conference: A Collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity and Common Challenges According to leaders belonging to the Commonwealth, when asked what the Commonwealth means to them with regard to its community, the following are their answers: "The Commonwealth is a tale of many peoples, many villages and a rich diversity of cultural expressions.
From the Pacific to Asia, to Europe, Afi'ica and the Caribbean our 53 nations are spread across the globe.

We have been supporting this diverse family with its many assets and different needs for more than 50 years.

From parents working to educate their children, to young aspiring entrepreneurs, to nurses and teachers, to policy makers in developing countries, we have been helping to advance human development in our Commonwealth family.
As a Commonwealth our commitment is to work hard every day for inclusive development.

One of our greatest advantages is our ability to bring our members, big and small, rich and poor together to find solutions to shared concerns such as climate change.

Just last November on the very eve of the Paris Climate Summit, Commonwealth Leaders were instrumental in helping the world to come to a strong climate change agreement.
Today on Commonwealth Day, we celebrate these achievements and listen to the sweet chorus of the over two billion and counting voices in our Commonwealth. "

- Deodat Maharaj, Commonwealth Deputy Secretmy-General A young person casting their vote for the first time, or a woman serving her first term in parliament; the Commonwealth exists to ensure citizens experience milestones such as these.
This is why we place such vital importance on promoting democracy through our elections observation work, empowering women through our advocacy and research, and working with governments as a trusted partner for peace.

These activities underscore values such as democracy, gender equality and human rights, which are clearly expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.
"Today we reaffirm our commitment to promote and support true inclusiveness in the Commonwealth, to realise a vision of parliaments where women and men are equally represented, where the rule of law prevails and where every citizen of voting age is able to exercise their fi'anchise and is confident in the integrity of their democracy."
- Josephine Ojiambo, Commonwealth Deputy Secretmy-General "An inclusive Commonwealth means coming together to promote equality, to strengthen the bonds of partnership and to work together in addressing common challenges.

It means upholding the vision of breaking cultural and religious barriers and certainly overcoming discrimination.

Drawn fi'om eve1y region of the world and .fi'mn peoples of different races, religions and cultures, the membership of the Commonwealth reflects these ideals and aspirations.
But also important is that every member of the Commonwealth has the opportunity to participate in the decision making process of the organization and everyone stands to benefit from its rich culture and experiences."

- Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone r. '' "We pride ourselves on a Commonwealth that, at its core, promotes the values of tolerance, respect, understanding, equity, fairness, and where each member state is valued equally and has an equal voice.
I cannot but agree with the Secretary-General's belief that in changing times, the need for the Commonwealth to act as an inclusive network for mutual support, development and growth of opportunity and rights for all is as great as ever.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that was held in Malta last November centred on the theme "Adding Global Value".

I feel very strongly that this is equally reflected in the Commonwealth's 2016 theme of inclusiveness.
Indeed global value cannot be achieved without putting inclusiveness in the driving seat.

Only then can we pursue our goal of making the Commonwealth more relevant, more alive and more connected for the benefit of all our citizens. "

Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta and Commonwealth Chair-in-Office The Commonwealth has a unique place and role within the international community.

It harnesses the creative energy, traditions and values of more than two billion people around the world.
It strongly promotes democracy, good governance, human rights and sustainable development.

These represent the interdependent pillars of any fair and healthy society as there can be no peace without inclusive development and no development without peace.

And no society can long remain prosperous without the rule of law and respect for human rights.
As well as building and strengthening invaluable linlcs between member countries and their citizens, it also provides practical support from election monitoring to promoting trade and security co-operation.

Education, at school and at university level, is a further area where the rewards of closer ties and cooperation, are ours to seize.

Today, the Commonwealth stands as a confident, modern, multicultural and proudly inclusive organisation.
The word "inclusive" has a central place in the Commonwealth's founding document.

This puts the people at its heart and declares that plurality and diversity are its greatest strength.

It also means that we must constantly strive to ensure that no child, woman or man is excluded or left behind.

These are enduring principles which not only bind us together as citizens of the Commonwealth but are absolutely critical for our collective ambitions for our world.
It has never been more important for the Commonwealth to stress the bonds of human compassion and solidarity that unite us across the divides ofrace and religion, gender and geography.

This brief sheds some light on topics to be covered during the conference, examining the various ways that parliament and the public have the opportunity to engage in dialogue as well as their duty as citizens.

. '
. '

'' Workshop A The Commonwealth's role in fostering freedom of religion or belief The Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion, University of Binningham, has announced the establishment of the Commonwealth Initiative for the Freedom of Religion or Belief(CIFORB) with effect from I October 2015.
The Initiative has been funded by a generous contribution from the Templeton World Charitable Foundation and will establish a team of researchers and other professional staff based in Binningham and in Westminster to support Commonwealth parliamentarians in their advocacy of freedom of religion· or belief (FORB) and interventions in the area.
Enshrined most prominently in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, FORB is a central principle ofintemationallaw: Everyone has the right to fi'eedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes fi'eedom to change his religion or belief, and fi'eedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and obsen,ance.
CIFORB 's work will benefit citizens across the Commonwealth and beyond by modelling, supporting and developing effective advocacy strategies for parliamentarians to use to advance religious freedom globally.

It will have lasting and enduring impact in the attainment of a fairer, safer global society where FORB is rightly cherished, and this will be a fitting tribute to the legacy of Sir John Templeton and his commitment to building a more peaceable and tolerant world.
Among other activities, the CIFORB team will: • Create, collate and disseminate intet11ationally-excel1ent research on FORB and strategies for upholding and extending this freedom.
CIFORB's research will seek to understand the many different intemational perspectives on this issue, identify good practice and enable parliamentarians to act as effective advocates for those (particularly religious and non religious minorities) whose freedom has been compromised; • Host training events for parliamentarians, their senior advisors and emerging young leaders with an interest in human rights, religious affairs and foreign affairs on the significance of FORB and strategic approaches to FORB advocacy.
• Establish a high-level Commonwealtl1 Commission which will work in strategically significant nations to support and encourage parliamentary activity and help parliamentarians to maximise their opportunities to speak out authoritatively.
Workshop C The role of Parliamentarians in implementing and monitoring policies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs and Parliaments in September 2015, world leaders gathered at the UN General Assembly to launch an ambitious new sustainable development agenda.

It builds on progress made since the Millennimn Declaration, and seeks to reduce poverty and inequality, improve people's lives, and promote peace, security, good govemance, and the rule of law.
Many voices, including those of parliamentarians have helped shape the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

All state institutions are expected to take part in implementing the SDGs at national and international levels.

Com1try ~ ' I ownership, government accountability and national policy will be essential to ensure that the new set of objectives is attained.
Parliaments are at the forefront of these imperatives, because they play a critical role in meeting those requirements through their lawmaking, budgeting, and oversight functions.

The role of parliaments in achieving the SDGs Parliaments are powerful agents of change.
It is by ratifying international agreements, translating the SDGs into enforceable national laws that respond to country-specific development priorities, monitoring their implementation and ensuring government is accountable to the people for national progress on the SDGs, that parliaments can drive that change.

By regularly holding hearings and requesting plenary reports, parliaments can bring the SDGs to the attention of the public and the media, thereby encouraging accountability at all levels.
In representing those who elected them, and offering a platfonn for communication, parliaments can ensure an ongoing dialogue with civil society over the SDGs.

Parliaments can ensure the process of developing a national development vision is infonned by an inclusive and participatory political dialogue.
Through annual parliamentary reviews of proposed government expenditures, parliaments can ensure adequate financial resources are allocated to the achievement of the post- 2015 objectives and that sustainable development priorities are reflected in national and local budgets.

Their engagement on and oversight of the implementation of national development plans that put the well-being of the people up front and centre can make parlimnents the linchpin for success in driving development forward.
Challenges However, weak governance and institutional capacities were significant challenges to progress on the Millennium Development Goals, and not all parliaments have the capacity to take on the heavy demands of the SDGs framework.

Countries in conflict, post-conflict, transition, and with weak or fledgling democracies need help to prepare their pm·liaments to fulfil their role.
Equal attention will have to be paid to fulfilling SDG 16 on "build(ing) effective, accountable and inclusive institutions" as to the other goals.

Goa116's targets demonstrate an understanding that effective, accountable and inclusive institutions including parliaments are not only important for their own sake, but are also crucial for the successful implementation of the entirety of the post- 2105 Development Agenda.
Recognizing the role of pm·liament as a development actor and contributor to the.rost-2015 targets and objectives, UNDP and development partners must continue to strategically empower parliaments to enable them to promote, and deliver on the new set of goals.

Development partners can ensure that parliaments play an active role from the outset in achieving the post-2015 development objectives.
By supporting parliaments m1d promoting enhanced coordination between all donors and stakeholders, we will be working with an important national institution that can- and must- be positively engaged if sustainable development objectives are to be met.

GOOD PRACTICES UK: The Parliament passed a bill that enshrines in law its commitment to spend 0.7% of its gross national income (GNI) on ODA every year (March 2015).
Pakistan: An SDG Task Force was established in the National Assembly to promote debates, engage, and increase awareness ofMPs on the SDGs.

Trinidad and Tobago: The Parliament established a new Joint Select Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development.

Zambia: MPs in Parliament forn1ed a SDGs caucus (July 2015). ''

Africa: MPs adopt the African Parliamentary Declaration on the Post 2015, assuring their commitment to cooperation towards achieving the SDGs in the region (May 20 15).
WorkshopD Ending violence against women and girls: the impact of social media and the internet in perpetrating violence Millions of women and girls around the world are subjected to deliberate violence because of their gender.

Violence against women and girls (VA WG) knows no boundaries, cutting across borders, race, culture and income groups, profoundly banning victims, people around them, and society as a whole.
The growing reach of the Internet, the rapid spread of mobile infonnation and communications technologies (ICTs) and the wide diffusion of social media have presented new opportunities and enabled various efforts to address VA WG.

However, they are also being used as tools to inflict hann on women and girls.

Cyber-VAWG is emerging as a global problem with serious implications for societies and economies around the world.
The statistics pose risks to the peace and prosperity for all enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and, in particular, to the goals of inclusive, sustainable development that puts gender equality and the empowennent of women as key to its achievement.

Responses, however, have yet to fully address the many degrees and impact of violence, trauma and loss that women, girls and children are routinely exposed to and that go unreported.
It is a problem of pandemic proportion when research asserts that one in three women will have experienced a fonn of violence in her lifetime.

Cyber VA WG could significantly increase this staggering number, as reports suggest that 73% of women have already been exposed to or have experienced some fonn of online violence in what must still be considered a relatively new and growing technology.

The sheer volume of cyber VAWG has severe social and economic implications for women and girls.
Tlu·eats of rape, death, and stalking put a premium on the emotional bandwidth and put a stress on financial resources (in terms of legal fees, online protection services, and missed wages, among others).

The direct and indirect costs to societies and economies are also significant, as needs for health care, judicial and social services rise and productivity goes down witl1 tl1e sense of peace and security required for business to thrive.
Cyber VAGW can also have adverse impact on the exercise of and advocacy for free speech and other hmnan rights.

hl 1995 less than I per cent of the world population was connected to the Internet.

That number has grown to 40 per cent, with over tluee billion ru1ique internet users.

While women are about 25 per cent less likely to have access today, Intel's 2013 report, Women and the Web, estimates 450 million new female Internet users could come online within the next three years.
Another report on women's access to and use of mobile technology shows a growing gender "use" gap which is partly attributable to women's concerns over privacy and security.

Given the ubiquity of the Intemet and its wide ranging impact, particularly on the younger generation, it becomes imperative to ensure it as a safe place for both current and future generations.
The respect for and security of girls and women must at all times be front and centre of those in charge of producing and providing the content, technical backbone and enabling envirorunent of our digital society.

Failure to do so will clip the potential of the hltemet as an engine for gender equality and women's empowerment.

The increasing spread of the hlternet frames the urgency for effective legal and social controls on attitudes and criminal behaviour online.
As this paper goes to print, Ellen Pao, fanner CEO of the online forum Reddit expressed grave concerns about the tensions between balancing freedom of expression with privacy and protection of Internet users.

Rigorous oversight and enforcement of rules banning cyber VA WG on the Internet is going to be a conditio sine qua non if it is to become a safe, respectful and empowering space for women and girls, and by extension, for boys and men.
Governments, regulators, businesses and everyday netizens alike, need to demand and act on the basic principle that an unsafe Internet arena will mean that women will frequent the Internet less freely, with costly societal and economic implications for all.

Sensitization, Safety and Sanctions: a way forward The first imperative in eliminating cyber V AWG is prevention.

Changing social attitudes and nm1ns is the first step to shifting the way online abuse is understood as a serious challenge.
Violence is not new, bnt cyber violence is, and the public needs to recognize this and address it as a priority issue.

Sensitization to cyber VAWG must include educating the next generation of ICT users, both boys and girls, through their parents, teachers and wider communities, as well as police authorities and the justice systems.

The second imperative is to put in place and implement safeguards to secure safe online spaces.
Over the years, traditional VA W safety measures have evolved to include women's shelters, crisis centres, help lines and education.

In light of the new cyber VAWG challenge, the digital world also urgently requires safety measures to keep up with a rapidly evolving Internet.

This will necessarily require resources, attention and active participation of industry (digital gatekeepers), civil society and governments.
Third in this multi-level approach to addressing cyber VAWG are sanctions, which address laws as well as the will and ability of tl1e courts and legal systems to enforce compliance and punitive consequences for perpetrators.

Establishing necessary laws is a starting goal; the next steps should ensure effective implementation.

Sanctions however cannot on tl1eir own accord, define or set societal nouns, or deter unlawful activity, or remedy injuries.
The challenge requires a broad-based societal action, engaging all stakeholders.

For this reason, while part of the solution, a mere legal refonn agenda alone centred on perpetrators or abusers would be limited in both its reach and impact.
WorkshopE The radicalisation of young people and how we are dealing with this Challenge throughout the Commonwealth Commonwealth leaders have agreed to establish a special unit to combat so-called 'radicalisation' of young people from villages tlu·ough to campuses- with a special focus on educated youth.

The unit will work with universities across the Commonwealth.

..
..

This was one of three key initiatives to emerge from the Commonwealth Heads Meeting or CI-IOGM, in Malta- alongside a statement on climate change.

of Govemment Pledges of £5 million (US$7.6 million) from British Prime Minister David Cameron and A$2.5 million (US$1.8 million) from Australian Premier Malcolm Turnbull over five years were annow1ced to support the new Commonwealth Countering Violent Extremism Unit which aims to 'challenge the terrorist narratives that are so attractive to young people'.
The unit will operate in the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The chairman of CI-!OGM, hosting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, explained that the unit would work to develop concrete structures to help different countries with fighting "the main threat in om time".

"Young people are being lured into terrorist groups.

As governments we must counter their fascination with such groups."

He said that more and more and more educated youngsters, including ideologies.
more and more middle-class young people, were being drawn these to Muscat, anticipating the British vote to join the bombing in Syria, made it clear that the fight against terrorism, unfmtunately but necessarily, involved military action, but it was also impm1ant to use education, economic and development tools to combat this.

The Commonwealth, which comprises 53 members, covers one in four of the world's total population - with 60% aged 25 or younger.
'The struggle of our generation' David Cameron spoke of defeating terrorism as "the struggle of our generation".

A key element of the five-year strategy to confront the tenorist ideology would be to tackle materials that are being put up online.

He said the Commonwealth's civil society and education networks make it "particularly well placed to complement intemational efforts to build counter narratives to this poisonous extremist ideology".
According to the UK Prime Minister's Office, a team of experts from various states would be seconded into the unit to work with civil society networks and govemments, particularly in states with a disproportionately high number of foreign fighters, to bnild national, regional and international counter-terrorism strategies.

Malcolm Turnbull said that the new funds would be used to counter extremist narratives wherever they arose.
He saw this as a matter of culture, sharing David Cameron's view that while not all extremism ended up in violence and all violent extremism began with such nanatives.

He said the Commonwealth was well placed to grapple with such cultural issues, with countries learning from each other about law enforcement and other measures and advocating its own culture, based on mutual respect of individuals.
The outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, K.amalesh Shanna, told University World News that the unit would set about producing materials which would ensure young minds were not fertile soil for such narratives.

He said these would be distributed through a special Commonwealth online 'classroom' to make young people - rich and poor, well-educated or not - aware of the positive values that the Commonwealth represented.
He added that he hoped other Commonwealth countries would now add funds to support the unit's work.

This will now be taken forward by his successor, Baroness Patricia Scotland, who won a contested election, standing fi·om her native Dominica.

She is a fonner UK Labour attomey general.


Initial consultations Since CHOGM, a spokesperson for the Commonwealth Secretariat in London has told University i '' '' World News that initial consultations are being carried out with Coventty University, the University of London and Queen's University Belfast and that further work will be canied out with other higher education institutions across the Commonwealth to develop curricula for higher education and schools.
Topics that might be covered by these materials include restorative justice, tolerance, arbitration, and training for leaders and media practitioners.

At CHOGM, Kamalesh Shanna also revealed that the Commonwealth office had been approached by an unnamed university which wanted to set up a special centre to work with the Commonwealth to its work on building civil partnerships.

study and work on its strategic policies and Earlier Prime Minister Muscat had given an example of how the unit might operate.
He described how a Ugandan speaking at the Commonwealth Youth Forum- one of four fora on women, on business, on peoples and on youth- had joined Boko Haram because he could not land a job.

Now he wanted to help in the fight against tenorism and we need to provide materials to support people like him.

The work needed to be 'demand driven' too.


The Youth Forum was also the host of a controversial debate on LGBTQ- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexnal, Transgender and Queer - rights which had revealed deep divisions in approaches, with African students and representatives particularly defensive about accepting such rights and culture on their campuses.

The report annexed to this Brief gives further details and results of the discussion Summary of Radicalisation and violent extremism.
WorkshopF The role of the media in promoting public mistrust of Parliamentarians Building a Relationship Based on Respect If parliamentarians want to overcome any mistrust that may exist between the community and their elected representatives, the first step is to build ltust between parliamentarians and those who convey their actions and opinions to the public.
Parliament and the media should respect the other's role in serving the community so that people in tum respect both the media and parliament as providers of accurate infonnation and infonned opinion.

The press gallery must also realise that trying to trick politicians in order to get news stories makes parliamentarians suspicious; meanwhile, parliamentarians must accept that criticism and a degree of cynicism are part of the media's duty to the public.
A strong professional relationship also requires the media to provide balanced coverage of public policy debates without trivializing or denigrating the parliamentary and governmental decision-making processes.

Journalists need to understand the issues crucial to all segments of the population and play their part in infonning the public about the challenges facing society.

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f. In recognition of the important role the media plays in a democracy and facilitating community involvement in debates relating to the business of parliament, it is traditional for parliaments to provide media with access to the institution and to parliamentary processes, and to report on them.

In order to facilitate this, parliament, grants certain facilities to the press gallery to assist them perfonn their function.
Furthermore, parliament should encourage investment in all fonns of independent media and the media, where appropriate, should pool their often-limited resources instead of their joumalists in order to improve the coverage of parliament and other institutions.
Parliamentarians, joumalists and the public should have access to a variety of print, broadcast and Intemet-based media to end reliance on govermnent infonnation or party-nm infonnation sources, which do not have the independence required to fulfil the media's accountability function.
Briefing Notes on 35th Small Branches Conference Workshop 1 The Role of the Commonwealth in Supporting the outcomes of the COP 21 Paris Agreement on Climate Change An outcome of the Paris climate conference (COP21) in December 2015, the agreement saw 195 countries adopt the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal.
In the coming days, countries are expected to put their signatures to the agreement, which sets out a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global wanning to below two degrees Celsius.

Reaffirming the Commonwealth's commitment to suppmt members to tackle climate change, the Secretary-General said: "I am particularly proud of the role the Commonwealth played in the success of this deal.
Just days before this historic agreement, Commonwealth Leaders issued a Statement on Climate Action, with a commitment to a climate change 'speed limit' of two degrees and aspirations for 1.5 degrees.

We went to Paris, big and small, rich and poor, united in our aims and were able to truly amplify the voices of the small states who are worst affected by climate change."

She added: "Today we celebrate what is officially day one of the journey to the implementation of the Paris agreement.
But the Commonwealth has already had a head start.

Our Multilateral Debt Swap for Climate Action proposal, which will address both debt and climate change and our pioneering Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, agreed at the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, will ensure small and vulnerable states with acute capacity needs can successfully bid for climate action funding."
The Commonwealth has a strong track record of leadership on collective action on environmental issues, which dates back to 1989 when it adopted the Langkawi declaration on the environment.

Since then the intergovermnental body has facilitated the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small-Island Developing States (SIDS) in 1994, and in 2009 Commonwealth Heads signed the Port of Spain Climate Change Consensus: The Connnonwealth Climate Change Declaration.
This declaration had a decisive impact on COP15 in Copenhagen.

Secretary-General Scotland said: "Most of the world will be represented at this signing ceremony and despite what the critics say I believe that each signature represents recognition of the scale of the problem and a national commitment to take action.

"We are saying to our member countries, you are not alone in the climate change challenge.
The Commonwealth will be with you every step of the way, as you work towards achieving your climate action goals."

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has welcomed last weekend's historic Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21) agreement to limit global emissions well below 2 degrees Celsius, with an aspiration of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. '

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Agreed by 195 countries following two weeks of negotiations, the deal also provides for regular reviews of ambition and finance to poor countries to help them cut emissions, develop sustainably and recover from climate-related disasters.

"Climate change is having a catastrophic impact on the most vulnerable Commonwealth countries, especially small states.
Apart from the development gains regularly and massively lost, there is a clear ethical and moral imperative to help build their resilience as the contribution of these states to the global carbon footprint is minimal, while they are visited by the worst consequences of global warming," Mr Sharma said in Paris last Tuesday.
Days before the start of COP21, Commonwealth Heads of Government met in Malta for a special session on climate change, where they endorsed a Leaders' Statement on Climate Action calling for a robust, ambitious and balanced agreement that could be implemented by all.

"The world watched as the Commonwealth, representing a template of global interests and diversity, committed to action to redress the impacts of climate change.
What happened in Malta was a precursor to the larger meeting in Paris," Mr Sharma said.

The Commonwealth has long been at the forefront of global action on climate change, and it represents more than one quarter of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Twenty seven years ago - and three years before the Rio Earth Summit of 1992 the Environment which for the first time collectively cited the greenhouse effect as one of the main environmental problems facing the world.

The Declaration recognised threats to islands and low-lying coastal states of sea level rise and other climate change perils tlu·ough global warming.

the Langkawi Declaration on Commonwealth leaders signed ' '.
In November 2009, on the eve of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference (COP15), Commonwealth leaders, at their biennial meeting in Port of Spain, backed a multibillion dollar annual global adaptation fund to support developing countries through Fast Start Climate Financing.

The meeting was attended by then French President Nicolas Sarkozy, UN Secretary General Ban Ki -moon and Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
The fund became one of the notable successes to emerge from Copenhagen and was a benchmark for the 2015 Paris Agreement.

h1 2013 an expmt group report to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CI-IOGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, put forward recommendations on how best to access existing financial resources to supp01t low-emission and climate-resilient development in small and climate-vulnerable states.
It spawned a number of Conunonwealth initiatives including a Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, announced at the recently-concluded CHOGM in Malta.
The Commonwealth has also been instrumental in advancing a 'debt for climate action swap' proposal to assist with resource mobilisation for climate action to address the dual challenges facing many small and climate vulnerable developing countries: a lack of climate finance flowing to countries who need it most and crippling debt burdens, which are adversely affecting their ability to invest in adaptation and mitigation.
The Cmmnonwealth Multilateral Debt Swap for Climate Action proposes an exchange for investments in climate adaption and mitigation projects, in which the most vulnerable states would have their multilateral debt written down using existing sources of climate finance.

International traction is being secured and the Commonwealth is working hard to tum this practical and innovative idea into action.
Indeed, the proposal has been endorsed by the United Nations Secretruy-General and we are working with the UN system and onr member states to advance the idea.

The 2015 CHOGM also saw developed Commonwealth countries reaffirm their commitment to help mobilise US$100 billion annually by 2020 to address the adaptation and mitigation needs of developing countries.
At the Special Session on Climate Change, French President Fran9ois Hollande and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed support for the Commonwealth's Heads of Governments' efforts on climate change.

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the swnmit chair, said at the close ofCHOGM: "The fact that we have achieved convergence and near unanimity on a much focused statement on climate change puts the possibility of a success at COP21 in better shape."
The Paris Agreement has been hailed as a 'breakthrough' - and the 'world's greatest diplomatic success'.

The Commonwealth will continue to make its position clear and deliver practical and policy solutions to the complex problem of climate change.

In the words of our Secretary-General: "Global warming is one of the greatest injustices of our time."

Session 2 The Role of Parliament in the protection and safeguarding of children What is child protection?
The term 'child protection' is used in different ways by different organizations in different situations.

In this handbook, the term will mean protection from violence, abuse and exploitation.

In its simplest form, child protection addresses every child's right not to be subjected to harm.

It complements other rights that, inter alia, ensure that children receive that which they need in order to survive, develop and thrive.

Child protection covers a wide range of important, diverse and urgent issues.
Many, such as child prostitution, are ve.y closely linked to economic factors.

Others, such as violence in the home or in schools, may relate more closely to poverty, social values, nonns and traditions.

Often criminality is involved, for example, with regard to child trafficking.

Even technological advance has its protection aspects, as has been seen with the growth in child pornography.
Violations of the child's right to protection, in addition to being human rights violations, are also massive, under-recognized and underreported barriers to child survival and development.

Children subjected to violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect are at risk of: Shortened lives, Poor physical and mental health, Educational problems (including dropping out of school), poor parenting skills later in life, Homelessness, vagrancy and displacement.
Conversely, successful protection actions increase a child's chances to grow up physically and mentally healthy, confident and self-respecting, and less likely to abuse or exploit others, including his or her own children.

Child protection is an issue for every child in every country of the world: At any given time, more than 300,000 child soldiers, some as young as eight, are exploited in anned conflicts in over 30 conn tries.
More than 2 million children are estimated to have died as a direct result of armed conflict ; ' since 1990.

More than I million children worldwide are living in detention as a result of being in conflict with the law.

In Central and Eastern Europe alone, almost 1.5 million children live in public care.

Over 13 million children are estimated to be orphaned as a result of AIDS alone.
Approximately 250 million children are involved in child labour, with more than 180 million working in hazardous situations or conditions.

An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked every year.

A 1995 estimate of the number of children in the commercial sex trade indicated that I million children (mainly girls but also a significant number of boys) entered the multibillion-dollar industry eve1y year.

The figures may now be higher.


Forty million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse and neglect, and require health and social care.

An estimated 100-130 million women and girls living in Africa today have undergone some form of genital mutilation.
Legislating for child protection One of the most important and often more technical roles for parliaments and their members is to ensure that national legislative standards offer the best possible protection for children from violence, abuse and exploitation.

Clearly, laws alone are not sufficient to protect the rights of children.
Appropriate economic policies, institutional refonn, training of professionals, social mobilization and the modification of attitudes and social values are essential to achieving child protection.

Nonetheless, law refom1 remains fundamental to the broader, coordinated goal of protecting all rights of children, including the right to be protected.
Malta's Take A Bill was presented to Parliament entitled AN ACT to replace the Children and Young Persons (Care Orders) Act, to establish Child Court Services, to introduce child protection orders, to provide for special care and protection for children removed or separated from their parents and placed in out-of-home care.

In July 2014, the Ministry for Family and Social Solidarity established a national Commission for the development of policy and strategy for children.
Part of the work of the Commission was to prepare legislation for children.

The drafting of this legislation started in August 2013.

The aim was to provide all the consultation necessary to adapt the law to the situation today.

On 13 April 2014, the bill was presented and tabled in the House of Representatives.

Session 3 Eliminating barriers to women's leadership in politics in Small Branches From the local to the global level, women's leadership and political participation are restricted.
Women are underrepresented as voters, as well as in leading positions, whether in elected office, the civil service, the private sector or academia.

This occurs despite their proven abilities as leaders and agents of change, and their right to participate equally in democratic govemance.

Women face several obstacles to participating in political life.

Structural barriers through discriminatory laws and institutions still limit women's options to run for office.
Capacity gaps mean women are less likely than men to have the education, contacts and resomces needed to become effective leaders.

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As the 2011 UN General Assembly resolution on women's political participation notes, "Women in every part of the world continue to be largely marginalized from the political sphere, often as a result of discriminatory laws, practices, attitudes and gender stereotypes, low levels of education, lack of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women."

Individual women have overcome these obstacles with great acclaim, and often to the benefit of society at large.
But for women as a whole, the playing field needs to be level, opening opportunities for alL Solutions UN Women's programmes on leadership and participation are gnided by a history of international commitments to women's representation.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Fonns of Discrimination against Women upholds women's right to participate in public life, while the Beijing Platfonn for Action calls for removing barriers to equal participation.
The Millennium Development Goals measure progress towards gender equality in part by the propmtion of women in parliamentary seats.

Towards these ends, we provide training for women political candidates to help build their capacities, and offer voter and civic education and sensitization campaigns on gender equality.

We back gender equality advocates in calling on political parties, governments and others to do their part in empowering women.
Other initiatives encourage young men and women to engage in advocacy around making gender equality measures central to public policymaking.

UN Women advocates for legislative and constitutional reforms to ensure women's fair access to political spheres-as voters, car1didates, elected officials and civil service members.

We collaborate with UN country teams and work with civil society on programmes so that elections uphold women's rights, including to vote and campaign free fi·om electoral violence.
Malta's take '' With the exception of the 2014 European Parliament elections, gender representation in Maltese politics has always been weak, to the point that Malta ranks far below the average according to the Global Gender Gap Report (GGGR) 2015.

Currently, the percentage of women in the National Parliarnent is 13% as opposed to the global average of 22.8%.
For the first time in 2014, Malta achieved a successful gender-balanced representation in the elections for the European Parliament - with a 66% representation of women.

Out of 145 countries, GGGR 2015 ranked Malta 108 in relation to women in parliament and 123 in women in ministerial positions.

Concerned by the dismal ranking, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has come forward with a tangible proposal which would increase the representation, starting from candidature stage.
"NCPE is putting forward the proposal to introduce a system whereby Maltese society endeavours to be represented by a balance of women and men on a long-term basis," the Commission said.

To achieve this objective, political parties would alternate between women and men candidates in the electoral lists presented at all three levels - local council, national Parliament and European Parliament elections.
"The introduction of a permanent system that ensures gender-balance in political decision-making will spur national institutions, political parties and civil society to become leaders for change and address that hinder women's political participation."
those social, cultural and structural barriers The NCPE said that such baJTiers include a male-dominated environment makes it harder for women to participate and succeed, a predominantly male incumbency, lack of women candidates, direct and indirect discrimination in the choice of candidates and weak support structures for people with family responsibilities, as well as issues related to lack of financial resources and family support.
"Equal gender representation in the political sphere is important to address a democratic deficit since the underrepresentation of one sex, cunently women, effectively means that women are not fully included in the democratic processes."
For more information please contact: Ms. Emma Zammit, Research Analyst Research Section HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PARLIAMENT OF MALTA Tel: +356 2559 6325 Website: www.parlament.mt 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference 12 - 17 December 2016 London Hon Anglu Farrugia, Speaker Hon Carmelo Abela, MP Hon Clifton Grima, MP Hon David Agius, MP The Commonwealth Education Hub Radicalisation and Violent Extremism Discussion Summary This e-Discussion was conducted by The Commonwealth Education Hub between 12 November 2015 and 3 December 2015.
Radical isation and Violent Extremism Introduction Radicalisation and violent extremism are not contained to one country or conviction, but are issues that need to be acknowledged and addressed across the Commonwealth.

On the eve of the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta, the Education Hub launched a discussion related to critical talks to take place at CHOGM exploring the strengthening of p_eace efforts and countering radicalisation and violent extremism.
Education has an important role to play in formulating an effective response to in radicalisation, resilience rehabilitation.

respect, building and and The objective of the three-week discussion is to engage a wide range of education stakeholders from various professional and geographical backgrounds to critically reflect the role education can play in addressing radicalisation and violent extremism.
from The discussion has reached out to 662 participants, comprising representatives development organisations, the private sector and academia.

Responses were received from 5 countries across three Commonwealth regions, and was guest moderated by Mme.

Raky Gassama, from the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA).
Education Ministries, Contents Discussion Summary ................................................................. 2 Commonwealth Case Studies ...................................................... 4 Related Resources ................................................................... 4 Discussion Question ................................................................. 5 Full Responses ....................................................................... 7 About The Education Hub ••• Conceived as a 'network of networks,' The Commonwealth Education Hub is intended to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration among policy-makers and practitioners across the Commonwealth.
Through its virtual 'one-stop-shop,' the Hub offers an array of online knowledge services designed to enable easier access to relevant information and resources, as well as to strengthen the collaborative context within which approaches, solutions, and best practices can be shared and adopted at scale across the Commonwealth, and perhaps even more widely.

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thecommonwealth educationhub.net ••• 1 Discussion Summary Key points The discussion presented radicalisation and violent extremism as a complex issue.

Education was discussed as having the potential to be the greatest means of countering radicalisation and as having a responsibility to fulfil this potential.

Education is able to equip students with the skills and capacities needed to reject radicalisation, and to cultivate a culture of peace and understanding.
Examples presented various means of engaging formal and informal education to develop the necessary 21'' century skills and emotional literacy to do so.

The discussion also pointed to the necessity to incorporate alternative/non-traditional education for more effectively reaching individuals at risk of radicalisation.

Social media is one of the main tools used for radicalisation, and as such was argued as a necessary tool to counter radicalisation.
It was recommended that social media training be incorporated into teacher development and social media literacy be incorporated into the formal curriculum and through education initiatives.

Issues discussed The nature of radicalisation The discussion highlighted the complex and fluid nature of radicalisation and violent extremism.

Radicalisation was presented as a global issue, not being bounded by race, religion, ethnicity or geography.
The discussion reflected on the multitude of factors contributing to radicalisation, including various forms of social and political marginalisation.

Examples were noted from across the Commonwealth and further afield.

Contributions considered the complexities involved in addressing radicalisation, but likewise illustrated the role of education as common ground and a critical mechanism in countering radicalisation.
Respect and understanding as a bridging mechanism Contributions emphasised the importance of respect and understanding as fundamental to peace and acceptance, and as being at the core of countering radicalisation.

A general consensus formed amongst participants in relation to education's ability to cultivate tolerance and quell prejudices amongst individuals and within and across societies.
It was argued that education must act in this capacity as a bridging mechanism across cultural, social and political divides for the greater goal of peace.

Social cohesion and education Various contributions emphasised education in the promotion of social cohesion.

Existing education programmes which seek to foster social cohesion were exemplified as a means of countering radicalisation (e.g.

Give Peace a Change, Give us a Future initiative in Cyprus).
2 Role of formal education Schools were discussed as being on the front-line of the battle to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism.

They were put forward as potentially having the greatest ability to bridge the divides exploited by radicalisation.

Formative years are spent in the education system, helping to shape important skills and characteristics, including emotional and social literacy and critical thinking ability.
The education system was discussed as having an inherent responsibility to address radicalisation; as an environment that is integral to the nurturing of peace and understanding, and building resilience to radicalisation.
As contributed by Graham Robb, "schools can be uniquely placed to enable discussions for children and adults across communities and faiths, where the most difficult issues can be discussed, grievances aired and understood, and critical thinking applied to assertion, propaganda and indoctrination."

This distinct position illustrates the importance of inclusive and holistic education in ensuring education systems are competent in addressing these challenges.
Emphasis was placed on the need for all groups and individuals to have access to these systems, and for effective policy in shaping such systems and outcomes across all educational providers.

Understanding the link between education and countering radicalisation paves the way for policies and programmes which target prevention, intervention and rehabilitation of at risk individuals.
Role of teachers and curriculum If schools are understood as being on the front-line, the discussion highlights teachers and content as vessels for countering extremism.

The discussion emphasised the need for both to the reflect life skills necessary in the 21" century, and for teachers to be aware of and alert to signs of radicalisation, with the skills and capacity to act.
Alternative means/informal education Alternative means of addressing radicalisation and the role of informal education were identified as necessary in adapting education to more effectively counter radicalisation.

Social media was discussed as a critical communication tool for radicalisation, and something not incorporated into traditional educational practices.

Several contributors concurred that social media use is widespread amongst school-aged children and needs to be integrated into education.
Participants stressed the need for social media literacy to be incorporated into formal, non-formal, and informal education and training.

Various projects were presented which engage students and youth with education through non traditional/alternative means and technology to counter radicalisation.

The discussion pointed to the need for greater innovation and generation of new approaches to improve the education sectors ability to address radicalisation.
3 Commonwealth 8: other Case Studies National Education Policy (2009), Pakistan (from Allah Bakhsh Malik, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan) As policy, a curriculum focused on peace, global citizenship, respectful co-existence, critical thinking and innovation has been introduced in Pakistan.

The National Education Policy is a consensus document that recognises education as a vital investment for human and economic development, and to ensuring peace and democracy.

http: //planipolis.
http: //planipolis.

iiep.unesco.org/upload/Pakistan/Pakistan National education policy 2009. pdf Net® Scheme, Israel (from Jim Wynn, Imagine Education, United Kingdom) The Net® Scheme integrates ICT education and soft skills training and intercultural, intergenerational and cross-gender respect and understanding.
https://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac48/pdf /EU Case Study Net.pdf JCTs and Peacebuilding, Northern Ireland (from Jim Wynn, Imagine Education, United Kingdom) A report published by Transformative Connections presenting various case studies and ICT ft Peacebuilding initiatives taking place in Northern Ireland.

http: I /www.

tran-conn. com /wp-content/ uploads/2015/09/TranConn-Bright-ldeas-Final.
pdf Education for a Culture of Peace as a vehicle for reconciliation, Cyprus (from Eleni Kotziamani 8: Chritos Michaelides, Alambra Primary School, Cyprus) ' This project uses education as a platform to address inter-ethnic conflict for societal transformation, engaging educators and NGOs to use an education for peace methodology within the classroom and wider community.
This includes training workshops, and the provision of space for community dialogue, trilingual educational materials and lesson plans, peer engagement, extracurricular programmes promoting reconciliation, and the establishment of a Peace Education Centre and Library.
http: //tinyurl.com/EduforCultureofPeace Give Peace a Chance, Give Us a Future, Cyprus (from Eleni Kotziamani 8: Chritos Michaelides, Alambra Primary School, Cyprus) The project was developed as a tool to cultivate and sustain a culture of peace in Cyprus.

With the ongoing conflict and challenges in achieving peace, the project is essential for deconstructing conflict-related beliefs and providing peaceful means for restoration of human rights.
At a school level, the project integrates six pathways of 'Education for a Culture of Peace' into the curriculum: knowledge; intercultural respect, reconciliation and solidarity; dismantling the culture of war and violence; cultivating inner peace; living with justice and compassion; and living in harmony with Earth.

4 Related Resources Civil Paths to Peace: Report of the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding (from Paul West, The Commonwealth Secretariat) http: // www.

keepeek.
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com I Digital-Asset-Management/ oecd I commonwealth I development/ civil· paths-to-peace 9781848590014·en#page1 'Civil Paths to Peace' is the result of a mandate from Commonwealth leaders to look into the causes of conflict, violence and extremism in Commonwealth countries.

It focuses on the problem of group· based violence and its impact on communities, advocating solutions based on individuals' multiple identities.
'Islamic State 'goes global' with Paris attacks' (from Graham Robb, Restorative Justice Council, United Kingdom) Jason Burke, 15 November 2015, 'Islamic State 'goes global' with Paris attacks', The Observer, http://www.

theguardian .com /world /2015/nov /14/islamic-state·goes·global-paris·attacks 'Mindless terrorists?

The truth about Isis is much worse' (from Graham Robb, Restorative Justice Council, United Kingdom) Scott Atran, 15 November 2015, 'Mindless terrorists?
The truth about Isis is much worse', The Guardian, http://www.

theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov /15/terrorists-isis 'Islam and the Environment' (from Nicholas Watts, Global Sustainable Livelihoods Consulting (SLC), United Kingdom) Khalid, Fazlun, 2002, 'Islam and the Environment', in Timmermann, Peter (Ed.)

Encyclopaedia of Global Environmental Change, Volume 5, Social and economic dimensions of global environmental change, pp 332-339, Chichester, Wiley.
Using education to promote peace and counter radicalisation and violent extremism in Africa (from the Facilitation Team) ADEA, Policy brief: Using education to promote peace and counter radicalisation and violent extremism in Africa, Association for the Development of Education in Africa, https: I I drive.
google .com/file/ d /0By8T -PuCsgpbaXVDOXd3bVNvVGM/view?pli=1 'Countering violent extremism and building peace' (from the Facilitation Team) The Commonwealth Secretariat, 9 November 2015, 'Countering violent extremism and building peace', http: I /thecornmonwealth.

org/ media/ news/ countering-violent -extremism-and-building peace 5 ·.'

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Discussion Question From: Education Hub Facilitation Team Sent: 12 November 2015 08:48 To: The Commonwealth Education Hub Subject: [edu-hub] DISCUSSION: Education's response to radicalisation- Discussion ends 26 November 2015 Dear Education Hub Members, On the eve of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, we are launching a discussion related to talks to take place at CHOGM exploring tb§5Jf§D!1t!l~Dlo.ILQfJlgiJ~<)gffQJj;_~_g.o.Q.J;9JJDtQ!JlliUil_GJ>'illi~!

:iQ!li'lDQ violent extremism.


The Hub discussion will be guided by the following questions: What is the role of education and educators in countering violent extremism and ensuring that young people are resilient to radicalisation?

What strategies or cases exist which demonstrate the success of efforts to counter radicalisation and violent extremism?
The discussion opens today, and will be guest moderated by )"lme Ra_~~-\iilss.oin-'l.· Mme Gassama is the current Knowledge Management Officer at the 1\ssQcJaJiQ_Ilt<lL\b_e_De.vQ[oQ!IlentQf E<:iulCation .Lr:Li\fricg_ (ADEA).

She has been a consultant at the ADEA Secretariat for 4 years, where she has facilitated internal coordination of evidence based policy dialogue initiatives, external communication and knowledge sharing.
Our team will post no more than one "digest" email per day, which will include all responses and the moderator's comments.

All messages received will be reviewed by the moderator.

The discussion will close on Thursday, 26 November 2015, after which we will consolidate a synthesis of the discussion which will be published on the Education Hub portal (hti:Qs:/lwww~\hecQmmgo.\'l'ealth: educationhub.net/).

To assist, we have included related resource links below.
To input to the discussion simply reply to this email or email edu-hub@groups.thecommonwealth.info.

We look forward to a productive discussion.

With best regards, The Facilitation Team The Commonwealth Education Hub Email: edu-hub@qroups.thecommonwealth.info 6 Full Responses Responses received with thanks from: Ivan Yaholnitsky, Bethel Business and Community Development Centre, Lesotho 1.

John Arnesen, Chartall College, South Africa 2.

3.

Allah Bakhsh Malik, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan 4.
Jim Wynn, Imagine Education, United Kingdom 5.

Paul West, The Commonwealth Secretariat 6.

Graham Robb, Restorative Justice Council, United Kingdom 7.

Eleni Kotziamani 8: Christos Michaelides, Alambra Primary School, Cyprus 8.
Nicholas Watts, Global Sustainable Livelihoods Consulting (SLC}, United Kingdom John Arnesen, Chartall College, South Africa In relation to programmes that support SDG4, ICT can play an important role in providing universal access to education, and promoting inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.

Vanuatu's Universal Access Policy (UAP) aims to provide telecommunications internet services to rural and unserved areas that are not commercially viable.
The concept of schools as hubs for community access is central to the UAP's strategy, together with the provision of computer labs, class sets of tablets, solar power, broadband, and gateway servers with digital, educational resources to 21 schools nationwide.

Integral to the success of these programmes is training for teachers and other key stakeholders.

The school server technologies worked as a "local cloud", providing digital library and application services for the school and local community.
Training workshops were also carried out to ensure supervisors of the facilities went away with a full set of essential operating, administration and maintenance skills, and explored educational resource collections provided on the servers and the local content tools.
Teachers and educational officials are inspired and challenged to make connections with their teaching and curriculum, socialised into the world of "creative collaboration" and empowered with new digitalliteracies and local content capacities in line with the country's nationaliCT policy.

To learn more on the project, visit: http:!

/communitv.nuzusvs.coml Moderator's Note, Raky Gassama Thank yau Mr. John Arnesen of South Africa.
You provide an interesting perspective regarding the importance of Holistic Education in providing good citizenship.

This suggests that schools are seen more and more as being on the front-line of the battle to prevent radicalization and violent extremism.

The situation in South Africa described by Mr. Arnesen on the day to day challenges regarding the issue of "good teaching'' is now at the core in countering radicalization and violent extremism in most countries.
This raises another question: do we provide guidance to teachers to be alert to signs of radicalisation?

Is there a need for parents, teachers and others to have the skills, capacity and awareness necessary to identify and report any worrying behaviours?

Ivan Yaholnitsky, Bethel Business and Community Development Centre, Lesotho A few days ago a Mosque was set on fire in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, apparently in an act of retributive hate.

As a Canadian, it diminishes me.


A constructive discussion on contemporary malaise needs to gather all of 7 the fragments.

Timothy McVeigh, the perpetrator of the Oklahoma City Bombing was an Army veteran and American citizen; in 2012 hell on earth was unleashed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in New Town CT USA; carnage in a Kenyan University also occurred, and in recent days a Russian airliner went down and the streets of Paris were filled with blood.
Some profound flaw exists in human society and in mankind itself, when events like this occur.

I mention only a few of these episodes; there are many others.

If we are to grow out of this, we need to gain a critical perspective for the grounds of aberrant behaviour on this scale.

Penetrating and inclusive soul searching is required.
Allah Bakhsh Malik, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan The role of educators is very basic and absolutely essential towards effectively countering violent extremism and addressing the serious issue of inappropriate attitudes in young people.

When young people interact with educators at an early age, mental wiring is still being developed and tapestries of the mind being formed.
It is the right stage when spirit of inquiry, critical thinking and secure understanding of the concepts of life are introduced to young impressionistic minds.

The role of educator is of paramount importance to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and to develop the habit for understanding others' points of view.

Unfortunately the seeds of hate, extremism and radicalization are sown at a young age, which grow and multiply with the passage of time and can subsequently be very dangerous to society.
In Pakistan, there are numerous noble and bright examples of a vast number of educational institutions charged with the responsibility of inculcating knowledge, tolerance, mutual respect and respectful co-existence.

The students in these institutions are taught global citizenship and respect for humanity.

The millions of young bright students graduating every year are the hope for the nation and humanity.

They are charged with the passion to serve the people and oppose the extremist mindsets.
Such young bourgeoning minds are an asset to our society.

There are only a handful elements who preach hate and extremism while the whole of society is put in harm's way.

At the same time, this particular mindset remains under-served so far as access to formal quality education is concerned.

There is no evidence so far about the involvement of any educated person from a formal schooling system in violent extremism.
The only difference among violent and peaceful citizens is the method of education and the type of instruction young people receive at an early age.

There is an urgent need to approach and target the under-served and less-affluent sections of society through education so that seeds of peace and tranquillity could be sown and ultimately we get the dividends in the shape of resilience to radicalization, opposition to extremism and terrorism and eradication of hate and bias from young minds.
As a policy in Pakistan, we have introduced a curriculum, focused on peace, global citizenship, respectful co· existence, critical thinking and innovation.

The National Education Policy is a consensus document that recognizes education as a vital investment for human and economic development in an excellent teaching learning environment.
There is an indomitable belief and stoic resolve and determination to ensure that young people are educated to serve the people and support peace and ensure repose of society.

Jim Wynn, Imagine Education, United Kingdom There have been a number of projects led by tech companies addressing peacebuilding ·such as this one by Cisco in Israel (https://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac48/pdf/EU_Case_Study_Net.pdf), and this one from EY and NESTA in Northern Ireland (http://www.
tran-conn .com/wp-content/ uploads/2015/09/TranConn-Bright-ldeas EiQ_al-QQf).

I believe that as social media and the ubiquity of access becomes more and more a reality, the world's youth will use technology to bring different cultures together.

However, the propensity of the same technology creating divisions is clearly a growing danger.

The so called IS have demonstrated this very clearly.
So I believe that education systems have to include social media literacy in the list of the new literacies we must ensure all citizens have to survive and thrive today.

8 One issue of course is to make sure our teachers are familiar enough wfth the benefits and pitfalls of communications technology.

There can be no better way to achieve this than for teachers to share their experiences through the same medium.
Every teacher of every subject and phase should have this as part of their own curriculum objectives.

This is not a separate subject, project or exercise.

It will impact every young person in all aspects of their lives and so it should be so at school.

Moderator's Note, Raky Gassama Many thanks to Mr. Jim Wynn from the United Kingdom, Dr. Allah Bakhsh Malik from Pakistan and Mr. Ivan Yaholnitsky from Lesotho for their contributions.
We can see the underlying importance of "prevention" in countering radicalisation and violent extremism.

More specifically, Mr. Wynn tackles the vital aspect of integrating social media literacy and critical thinking in formal education systems to prevent the planting of the seeds of intolerance, radicalisation and extremism.

We can stretch this approach to non-formal and informal education and training.
As we regularly observe, radical groups are increasingly using the "narratives" in social media space that educators are not be not using.

Dr. Malik insists on the key role played by the education system in the socialization of young people and their moral development, and presents an interesting perspectives.

Social and political marginalization has been cited as a contributing factor.
It is therefore important to address inclusive basic education for all, without any discrimination towards individuals or groups.

Mr. Yaholnitsky also highlighted the potential role of self-analysis in addressing this issue.

These interventions show that new strategies need to be explored to counter the "narratives" of radkalisation and violent extremism.

Perhaps we should allocate more time and practical lessons to peace and pluralism in formal education through the use of social media and other tools.
Should educators, with the involvement of the youth, develop their own practices in order to challenge violent extremist messages and awareness of how these are constructed?

In final analysis, it appears essential to foster greater confidence in existing and new partnerships involving citizens, Governments, schools and social media companies to generate new ideas.
Paul West, The Commonwealth Secretariat Reading the book titled ''Civil Paths to Peace··, the author refers to the term 'respect" being used with multiple meanings.

Amartya Sen, the Commission's Chairperson points out that 'respect" may be used to show respect for a person who is older or in a more senior position.

Respect in many settings (such as in business) is something that is earned while power is 'taken note of'.
In an inter-cultural setting, however, the term respect requires equal and fair treatment of each other.

True respect for oneself is something we must earn by the ways that we behave towards others.

If one 'demands' respect through the use of power, one may have the pretence of respect shown to one, but this may only be the notion of being 'taken note of' as suggested by the Commission.
Respect toward others includes an acceptance of the views, opinions and freedoms to conduct one's life in the way one wishes, providing this does not infringe on the same rights of others.

While any one person is striving to exercise his or her own right for respect and freedoms, so are others striving to exercise their own rights and freedoms.

It is in this context that we need to have respect for each other's rights.
Commonwealth values have respect and understanding at their core with the organisation striving to achieve consensual rather that confrontational debate.

If we are to achieve respect and understanding, Sen points out that this must be achieved in an environment that is non-threatening.

9 '-(-.,.
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; ·' ., The Commission points out that where young people work together and are able to experience equaliti and mutual dependence across race, religion and ethnicities, they tend to be less prejudiced than those who do not.

Promoting anti·discrimination in schools and post·school institutions can help to reduce the prejudices amongst the younger generation that retard relationships amongst some members of the older generations.
All organisations in the arms of government and the economy can play roles in helping to reduce the prejudices that may have been absorbed by an individual.

It is both in the formal education and the informal education systems where positive changes can be made.

This may be led through the implementation of policies at government and institutional level that entrench true respect rather than the use of blunt or unsophisticated power.
Education possibly has the greatest potential in the long-run to bridge the divides between people.

We need to think strategically (LONG-term) and positively about how to deliver education as an intervention to build true respect between individuals and groups.

In doing so, we must ensure that education is delivered to all people and not based on their location, race, wealth, connections or other status.
The content of the educational programmes must build on the need to reinforce strong and positive relationships, and of mutual understanding between different people who may hold different opinions.

This must be delivered irrespective of whether education is provided by governments or non-governmental sectors.

Any person or grouping promoting violence over mutual respect should be encouraged to be more accepting of others.
In the Commission's words: "it would be hard to exaggerate the importance of non-sectarian and non-parochial education that expand, rather than reduce, the reach of understanding and reason."

Reference: Civil Paths to Peace: Report of the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding (http: I I www.

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com/Digital-Asset -Management/ oecd I comma nwealth I development/ civil-paths -to peace_9781848590014-en#page1) Moderator's Note, Raky Gassama Many thanks to Mr. Paul West for recalling the critical and true meaning of "acting respectfully", understanding each other and fundamental freedoms.

Education for intercultural understanding and respect is more than ever an importance tool that should be promoted not only within the education and training systems, but in all levels of society.
The Commonwealth is a good example of integrating respect and understanding into core business systems and processes.

Holistic education must provide the right skills and competencies to enter into the world of work, but should also help children and students to respect, cherish and appreciate the multitudes of cultures and viewpoint rather than to judge or fear them.
The dilemma is that, as human beings, educators, family members and government and community leaders often carry individual biases and prejudices.

Thus the question arises of how to ensure children and students are taught the values of respect and understanding without prejudice.

'.

Graham Robb, United Kingdom Radicalisation, Resilience, Respect and Rehabilitation I will start with some assertions, then set out some current challenges, and then move to some of the approaches schools take.
1) It is self-evident that the main goal of education is to build the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes which enable young people to be empowered and engaged citizens.

2) Using a narrower definition of youth crime, there are calculations of the monetary cost of crime, both around specific crimes and over the life course.

No state should want to spend on enforcement when early intervention and prevention is better for the individual, family, community, and the public budget.
This applies to the crimes linked to radicalisation as much as any other crime.

10 3) Schools can be uniquely placed to enable discussions for children and adults across communities and faiths where the most difficult issues can be discussed, grievances aired and understood, and critical thinking applied to assertion, propaganda, or indoctrination.
4) There are parallels between recruitment of young people to criminal gangs dealing in drugs and the sex trade and the modus operandi of radicalising recruiters.

5) Cyberspace is used very effectively by some radical ising groups especially among young people.

Some current challenges (November 2015) Terrorist groups, as Jason Burke sets out (Observer newspaper 15 Nov 15), use 'violence purposefully.

They have three aims: to terrorise, mobilise and polarise ...
The third aim -to polarise· is the most important.

In Iraq and Syria, ISIS has used any internal tension within a community- sectarian, tribal, ethnic economic -to open a space that it can exploit.

It knows that a community divided, where hate is nourished by mutual fear, is a fertile recruiting ground.'

The goal according to the ISIS magazine Dabiq (Feb 15) is to eliminate the 'grey zone' between belief and unbelief, good and evil and so force people to choose to support a radical path.
Scott Atran, an anthropologist in France, Oxford and Michigan who has extensively interviewed terrorists in custody, quotes an unnamed source responding to the Paris attacks - "capture the rebelliousness of youth, their energy and idealism and their readiness for self-sacrifice, while fools preach moderation, security and avoidance of risk."

What are schools doing?

This gives a flavour of the sort of actions taken by some schools when faced with risks to their pupils, including through radicalisation.
1) Universal strategies • Using approaches such as the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools to stress values which bring people together rather than polarize • Recognise that through routine teaching pupils are learning the skills of critical thinking and analysis • Give space and time to let pupils discuss difficult issues • Teach safe IT practices to pupils and parents and have safe IT monitoring to ensure school and home systems are not being misused 2) Partnership strategies • Schools linking with local community and faith groups so that pupils 3) Targeted actions • If a child is at risk of being radicalised then the first response must be a Safeguarding one- to protect them, even if adults in a family are colluding.
• Restorative justice can be used especially if a child has actively caused harm to someone.

Moderator's Note, Raky Gassama As has been highlighted in previous contributions, Mr Robb discusses the role of education in shaping respect and skills such as critical thinking which impact an individual's choices and resilience to radicalisation.

He also links back to the importance of the "narratives" used through information and communication technology tools, which play a critical role in radicalisation.
These tools can conversely play an important role in prevention over enforcement (with education playing a key role), the paradigm shift of restorative justice and the importance of 'rehabilitation' to demonstrate the principles of a supportive and cohesive.

Mr. Robb also presents some of the actions being taken to prevent/intervene when pupils are at risk.
Organisations such as the Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) are supporting prevention/intervention through its "Children's Government" programme.

This programme involves learners in the governance and accountability of schools to promote cohesion - devoting time to, and giving a forum for children to discussion difficult issues.
11 This contribution brings up the question of what other policy and practical mechanisms are being used within the education sphere which are replicable and adaptable to other educational environments?"

Eleni Kotziamani & Christos Michaelides, Cyprus The role of education is extremely important in countering violent extremism and ensuring that young people are resilient to radicalisation.

According to McCarthy "If we don't teach our children peace someone else will teach them violence".
Everybody wants to live in a Culture of Peace, but we have never thought of teaching children about it.

We take it as granted that children know how to live in peace, but in reality they are born in a world of violence.

Since their early childhood they watch cartoons full of violence, later they play video-games full of violence and watch movies full of violence, apart from the violence they experience sometimes within their families, their communities, their countries.
We teach our children almost everything but how to live in a Culture of Peace.

Education cannot be examined separate from the social milieu.

And one cannot ignore the fact that education is the biggest ideological mechanism used by states; after all, that was the original driving wheel behind the creation of the education system.

There is no doubt, that our era is bothered by peacelessness.
According to the Armed Conflicts Report 2014 there were 28 active armed conflicts in 2013, while U.S. $1,557.6 billion was the total amount of world military spending (Project Ploughshares, 2014).

Violence and war are institutionalized, are collectively and personally mediated, and are being internalized.
Contextual factors such as the media, the education, and the religion are used by institutions to legitimize ethnic policies, as a means of achieving political control, a monopoly of economic power, and the preservation of the current status-quo held up by the dominant group of the society.

And as Gibson (2012a) reports, "there are presently a great many representational systems which make conflict, and the institutions which facilitate it, appear natural and enduring" (p. 10.5).
The role of education is essential in deconstructing various beliefs, and providing alternative peaceful means for restoration of the rights, for building a healthy teenage and adulthood life.

The example of Cyprus will be brought up as an example of how education has sustained a Culture of violence, hatred and war throughout the years.
For more than 4 decades, the two larger communities of Cyprus live in a divided island (the historical events that led to this separation do not add any value to the current discussion).

As a result of the division, people who are up to 40 years old, never lived with the members of the other community and actually it's the generation who came to be fearful of the other community, and developed a hatred for the "enemy".

This is a fact for the members of both communities.
That is because during the era they grew up there was a narrative that glorified the history of one's own ethnic group and victimized the members of one's own group, ascribing the sole responsibility for the outbreak and continuation of the conflict to the others.

This narrative was gaining strength due to the lack of any interaction with the other community.

The physical separation of the two communities created psychological barriers.
Additionally, within the schools, there are teachers over 40 years old who lived traumatic events and as such, the memories of the past, especially when they are fueled by various mechanisms, either formal or informal, can be a barrier to reconciliation.
And within the schools, one also finds the new generation, the students, who actually witness a different perspective, where they basically have no experiences of actual contact and interaction with the members of the other community, but they can actually see them (physically) in their surrounding environment.

It is of great significance to mention here the way history is taught within the schools.
Students are taught only the events that victimize their side, while they become ignorant of any atrocities held by the members of one's own community.

As for the national celebrations, those are related only with wars; there is not a single celebration (apart from the religious ones), which celebrate anything peaceful.

As a result we glorify the war, we become proud of our own group, and we name fighters as heroes.
We dress children as soldiers, we provide them with toy-guns, and we congratulate them at the end of being so heroic.

We forget to celebrate the children's day, the rights' day, and we are completely ignorant of people who have "fought" for peace and justice.

As a result, in both communities of Cyprus, war and violence have gained a significant place within the society.
This institutionalization is also indicated by the monuments and museums that exist in both communities and it is strengthened and disseminated within the younger generations.

12 ' The characteristics above are not part of the educational system in Cyprus, but of all the educational systems throughout the world.

It's not just part of the educational systems in countries with inter-ethnic conflicts.
After all, we should be troubled by the recent events of terrorism (and we believe we are), implemented by nationals of the states.

If all the above, are not a clear example of how education promotes radicalization and violent extremism, then what is?

And feeling the responsibility of sharing the pathway that education has taken in one's own country needs lots of courage, since you can be easily called a traitor.
Another major obstacle in extremism is the distribution of wealth and power, not just among the countries but also within the countries.

The last couple of years Cyprus is in a bad economic situation, with many young men without jobs, without prospects.

Political ethnicist parties create youth groups apparently to gain young followers.

In such conditions, young people are taken into advantage, they are trained to become monolithic in their judgments.
Through those parties they acquire a community, a sense of importance.

Their needs for security, identity and connection are somewhat satisfied.

It has been documented that young people in similar situations in other countries get into gangs or are being military trained and have been documented to commit atrocities.

The ethnicity is used to legitimize actions, while the use of ethnocentrism (thinking of one's group as superior; Barger, 2004) is manifested in the public discourse.
Propaganda of hate and superstitions of the out group is transmitted to the younger generations through formal institutions, but through informal channels, such as stories from the families and neighbours.

What is our responsibility as citizens, as educators?

We believe a huge one.


We do have to share though, two examples from the island of Cyprus, which show how 'ordinary' citizens, how educators can offer a lot and change the current status quo of violence and create an educational system that resists in radicalization and extremism.

The first example relates to a project that started as a sequence of lesson plans during the arts class.
The teachers designed a project that aimed to cultivate and sustain a culture of peace in Cyprus by promoting knowledge, attitudes and behaviours for social action.

It used the 6 pathways supported by the theoretical framework of peace education and it involved all the students, teachers and staff members of the school, the local community and had an impact on the wider community of Cyprus as well.

It started as an art project, but then expanded to all subjects of the curriculum.
To start with, during the Arts classes two grades worked throughout the first year on "identity".

Many social issues such as racism, terrorism, ethnocentrism, sports violence, even depression are the result of an inability of individuals, groups or societies to understand the multiple dimensions that comprise our identities.
Within the Arts class students deconstructed the multiple elements of our identities, and continued by examining each element separately: physical appearance; age; family; religion; profession; nationality; displacement/refugee; globalization; special needs; gender; ethnicity.

They investigated all the elements through the arts, which resulted in better outcomes, as it provided ways of alternative expression for students who do not have opportunities for success at school.
Four famous Cypriot artists collaborated for the implementation of the activities, there was a collaboration with a USA school (Ohio), where we exchanged art projects which transferred the message of peace and humanity.

In the same motive, students participated with the use of technology in various projects and collaborated with schools in Europe as well, learning that they are part of a greater system.

This brought us to an end of the identities spectrum.
One of the pathways of peace education is promoting intercultural respect, reconciliation and solidarity.

For that reason, students explored aspects of social exclusion.

The discussion was initiated by identifying groups within the Cypriot society that are usually excluded and those were the old people, the immigrants, and the refugees.

Students searched within various media forms and realized that journalists through cartoons they criticize social phenomena.
They asked to also make their statements through cartoons, and a cartoon artist was invited to inspire them to create.

At this point, we realized that it was important to incorporate another element within our project, since working on knowledge and attitudes is essential but not sufficient to bring social change.
As such, at the same time that we explored various characteristics of the third age, from February to April once a week the students visited the elders' home, where they shared songs, dances, poems, and love!

Elders and students felt strongly for this activity and anticipated the next visit.

Characteristically an elder stated that "every time you come here you 13 give us a reason to live".
We also collaborated with an NGO residing in Cyprus~ the African Diaspora, where an immigrant shared his experiences with the students, before immigration, during and at the country of settlement.

Children were inspired, in a level to ask to create a sculpture of a child immigrant.

During the process they empathized with the child immigrant and they came to understand the difficulties he or she might face.
The most striking experience according to students' words, was when 24 unaccompanied minors visited our school after an initiative carried out by the students themselves.

We have to admit that this was a difficult attempt, since in order to follow the students' idea, we had to overcome bureaucracy with Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, and the social services.

We also had to deal with parents who were not open to hosting such an event in the local community.
But if you believe at it, you do it, so children came to our school and spent the whole day.

A person working at the refugees' shelter stated at the end of the day that we gave them life back and allowed them to be children once again, even if it's just for one day.

Apart from all the above, throughout the year in order to strengthen the goals of the project, we implemented a variety of activities aiming at strengthening the collaboration among everybody involved in the project.
Students' association proclaimed a competition about collaboration, where all students participated.

A number of the artworks of the students was printed on cups, which were given to all the students to remember.

Students also created artwork about collaboration on the walls of the school.

Through the project, we also had the opportunity to incorporate an alternative use of sports, other than the common one, which is to create athletes who compete each other.
There are a number of sports programs nowadays around the world, which use sports as a means for achieving personal and social development.

Sports are a powerful tool towards that end, since through sports you can actually collaborate with the members of your team, you have to communicate and you have to build a group that will achieve a goal.
When used in this way, it has been proved that non-traditional sports, meaning sports which are not known to the wider community, have higher impact on individuals, communities and societies involved.

The reason is that individuals start from the same baseline, and they have no ideas about the rules and as such they have to communicate in order to have a better understanding.

So, we introduced a number of sports activities, rugby, lacrosse, kayaking, table tennis and so forth.
Another important aspect is that in this way you enrich the spectrum of activities that students can get involved during the afternoon, and in doing so you reduce youth delinquency.

A Peace Day was organized for students, parents and the local community, where they all had to participate in non-traditional sports activities with the aim of collaborating through sports.

The parents of the children participated as well.


The event started with a small ceremony, where the students presented activities they completed throughout the year concerning peace, such as peace songs, poems, an exchange of peace drawings with a school in the U.S.A. and they attended a mini lecture on violence in sports provided by a referee-parent.

During the day, the parents and students created the wall of peace, where they stated what peace means to them.
Additionally, throughout the year, within the economic crisis that Cyprus is suffering, the school identified seven students that their families had financial difficulties in fulfilling basic needs of their children (such as nutrition and clothing).

For that reason, an idea under the name "Delivery of Love" was initiated by the students, where they could bring food to support those 7 families.

The school provided a special room where those supplies were kept.
The Parents' Association and the teachers financially supported the idea, so that extra items such as detergents and cleaning fluids were bought.

At the end of each month, the supplies were distributed to each family.

This initiative is in progress since November 2013 and is still taking place.

The anonymity of the families was of course ensured.
An afternoon visit (non-school hours) with parents, teachers and students to the premises of the Red Cross Cyprus to help them package supplies for families in need.

Volunteering is not really part of the culture in Cyprus, and having parents, teachers and students devoting their afternoon time for activities like that, it is considered a major accomplishment for the project.

14 They also voluntarily brought to the school war games and exchanged them with new, educational ones.
Not that shows the impact the whole project had on the students, but it also sent a message to the community that buying war games can be harmful for the development of the young individuals.

The current project did not entail extra-ordinary activities that needed a budget or a fair amount of preparation.

They were small actions, but at the same time it revealed the transformative power education has.
Throughout the project we have experienced a tremendous change not only for students, but for the local community as well.

When thinking about changing the world, we think of huge, costly projects, of projects that most of the times cannot be completed due to the investment they demand in terms of time, costs, and energy.

Most of the times we think that this is something inconceivable, something unachievable, since we are only a small part of a huge system.
But this project has shown us that changing the world means changing the person next to you, and has managed to make a whole community caring and affective.

If nothing else, this project has shown how powerful education can be in "changing" the world!

Measurable Impact and Effect: The project activities promoted universal values, such as equal opportunities, human rights and democracy, and respect for other cultures.
The project had the following impact on the individuals involved: o Empowerment of and creation of active citizens as shown by the increasing numbers of individuals participating in voluntary activities, with parents and teachers included, which were reluctant to do so at the beginning.

o Less conflicts during recess at the end of the project, as those were recorded by the educators.

Students o o became more capable of articulating their opinions and respect diverse ones.
Improvement of the self-esteem of the students, as it was expressed in their written documents.

Improvement of the learning outcomes, as it was expressed in the participation of students within the classroom and their performance in tests.

Involvement of a bigger number of students in sports and arts activities during after-school hours.

Increase awareness about how specific behaviours perpetuate the culture of violence.
o o o Develop a sense of community by paying attention to a group of people within the community, as indicated by the participation in the activity 'Delivery of Love'.

o Bridging gap between different members of the society within Cyprus, as indicated by the volunteerism during the host of vulnerable groups such as individuals with special needs, refugees and so on.

o Combating discrimination based on ethnic origin, based on anecdotal reports held before and after the project.
o Treating each other appropriately regardless of cultural differences, developing tolerance and tackling racism, as indicated by the difference in including students from other backgrounds in play, before and after the project.

o Reduce of vandalism during the afternoon hours when school is closed, committed by members of the local community and students.

The project had an impact on the school as an organization: o o o Increased ability to evaluate approaches and make corrections based on outcomes.
Increased ability of the school members (educators, staff and students) to work as a community, as it was observed by the effectiveness of operating as a team.

Increased motivation and commitment by all school members, as shown by the willingness to perform duties in non-school hours.

Increased ability to set specific goals and take actions to meet those goals.

o o Transformation of the school community to one that promotes mutual understanding, generating confidence and resonance.
o Creation of alliances with parents and other members of the society, as shown by the increased interest of parents for the school activities.

The project used anecdotal reports and written reports from students and teachers.

Comments and reactions were collected almost at the end of each of the activity, along with feedback that was used for the design of the next activity.

There was not an official way of reporting or providing feedback; each educator was using various formats.
15 The school has been recognized by the educational authorities as one promoting innovative practices that have a positive impact on youth lives, and the presentation of the project in various conferences have increased the interest of the authorities about it, and have an open dialogue with the school for observing both its implementation and outcome.
The second example refers to a project called "Education for a Culture of Peace as a vehicle for reconciliation in Cyprus", which also started by three educators who collaborated with two NGOs, a Turkish Cypriot and a Greek Cypriot and was submitted as a grant and was successfully financially supported by the European Commission through the Civil Society in Action IV Program opened for the Turkish Cypriot Community (please find attached further info about the project).
The main aim of the project is to bring about societal change and transform the current status-quo through a bottom-up approach by engaging educators, young people, parents, community members, and civil society in an educative and transformational process.

The overall objective of the project is to use Education for a Culture of Peace as a vehicle to bring structural changes and transformation in the Cypriot society across the divide in order for a Culture of Peace to be cultivated and sustained.
The specific objectives of the action are to: • Increase the capacity building of members of NGOs and the applicant organizations in promoting practices supporting a Culture of Peace; • Engage educators from both communities in a dialogical process where the needs for implementing Culture of Peace initiatives will be identified and analysed; • • Engage 80 educators and 160 students across the divide in workshops on Education for a Culture of Peace; Provide opportunities for educators to apply Education for Peace methodology in their educational • settings; Provide participants the opportunity to spread the message of peace to their peers, their families and the community (an estimated 1600 students will be involved in Education for a Culture of Peace activities); Produce joint educational material, including lesson plans and a guide on the methodology of Education for a Culture of Peace, for immediate use in classrooms (a trilingual manual to be distributed to all public and private schools in Cyprus); • • Bring youth together through the organization of a theatre camp in order to promote reconciliation; • Establishment and launch of a Peace Education Centre and Library to meet the educational, information • and entertainment needs of educators, students and other members of the society; Provide data on how the infusion of Education for a Culture of Peace in the school curriculum can develop societies; • Set Cyprus as an example for future initiatives in Europe and elsewhere through the organization of an International Conference on Education for a Culture of Peace and a publication on how to integrate Education for a Culture of Peace in divided societies.
The project which also started from a grassroots initiative, managed to contact the Ministry of Education and get its support.

It's not accidentally, that the Ministry set as one of the goals of this academic year the anti racist education and the education for a Culture of Peace.

Nicholas Watts, United Kingdom In April of this year (2015), the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC) Governing Board held an away day to consider the way forward for the charity.
One of the exercises involved responding to a question along the lines of "If you woke up tomorrow and your dream had been realised, what would it be?"

My intuitive response was "ISIS has gone green".

By this, I meant that the destructive energies of ISIS had been channelled into addressing climate change and related challenges, including the greening of human settlements.

I wonder if this is a question worth posing in the context of a long-term approach to the problem of radicalisation.
16 In the 1970s, Roger Hart (http://www.gc.cuny.edu/Faculty/Core-Bios/Roger-Hart), Director of the Centre for Human Environments at City University of New York Graduate Center, arranged an exchange between schoolchildren in the Bronx and their peers in a Vermont farming community; an exchange of context and a meeting with unfamiliar contemporaries from different ethnic communities.
This was part of Roger Hart's long term project of children's rights and participation as a fundamental component of a working democracy.

It also introduced metropolitan children to 'nature' for the first time -as well as rural children to New York.

The project served to familiarise unfamiliar groups with one another, and also points to the importance for children of contact with the natural environment.
We now accept that green in the environment, in the form of plants, trees or parks, is conducive to wellbeing.

And any process that engages children from different population groups together in a process of engagement in decision-making (the emphasis of much of the rest of Hart's work) can help develop their skills in thinking for themselves and understanding the perspective of others (a cognitive skill that emerges between the ages of 7 and 12 years).
From 2009-2011, in the last major CHEC-sponsored project 'SAUCE' (Schools at University for Climate and Energy: www.schools-at-university.eu), mixed groups of schoolchildren from North London gathered at London Metropolitan University to engage with shaping solutions to climate change together.

Children from all social, ethnic and religious groups worked together in addressing environmental challenges positively and gaining a sense of efficacy in doing so.
Culpeper Gardens, in the London Borough of Islington, has one day a month when refugees and asylum-seekers come to do some gardening.

They report a feeling of contact with nature, a sense of relief and a connection with their home countries in this experience.

The integration of nature into Islamic thought is part of Islam as a way of life.

Fazlun Khamid (2002) reminds us, in addressing the ethical dimension of Islam, of "the instruction by Abu Bakr, the first Caliph (Khalif) of Islam to his armies.
In addition to telling them not to harm women, children and the infirm, he ordered them not to harm animals, destroy crops or cut down trees.

There were two elements present in this decree: the first, to establish justice even as the Muslim armies fought, and the second, to recognize the value of nature.

It should also be noted that the environment was not an issue or subject for separate treatment in life as it flowed onwards in both war and peace.
The human condition was never separated from the natural order.

It was a matter to be reckoned with at every moment of existence like the very air we take into our lungs.

11 Some ISIS propaganda includes the image of an angler fishing in a river (in a clip I have not been able to retrace), implying nature as a part of paradise.

Perhaps a connection with the immediate natural environment in this life could be a useful alternative: a 'green and pleasant land' for Islam, too.
The Islamic commitment to solutions to climate change is also addressed comprehensively in the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change, which provides another impetus to engagement with environmental issues.

My speculative question, then, is: should we be making more of an effort to improve the natural environment in which young Muslims grow up, and support their engagement with 'work' (e.g.

gardening) and play in, and decision-making for this environment?
Could they, through active participation in democratic decision-making for their own spaces and the policies that affect them, including climate change policies, develop independent cognitive and empathic skills that would protect them from influences such as ISIS?

A long-term strategy perhaps, but it may be worth engaging with Muslim communities and environmental psychologists to see if it is worth a try.
References: Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change (http: 1/fslamicc/imatedeclaration.orq/isl amic-dec/aration-on global-climate- change/) Khalid, Fazlun M (2002) "Islam and the Environment" in Timmermann, Peter (Ed.)
Encyclopaedia of Global Environmental Change, Volume 5, Social and economic dimensions of global environmental change, pp 332-339 Chichester, Wiley 17 Moderator's Note, Raky Gassama I'd like to thank Eleni Kotziamani, Christos Michaelides and Nicholas Watts for their contributions as we wrap up the discussion.
These contributions provide practical examples of how the education system can be utilised to address exclusion and foster social cohesion, and illustrate the transformative power of education in addressing radicalisation.

These examples provide tangible solutions to a discussion which has mulled over the complex dynamics and relationships at play, and offer food for thought in transforming policy into effective actions.

18 The Moderation Team: Guest Moderator: Raky Gassama (Mme.)
Education Hub Facilitators: Emma Findlater (Ms.) with support from Paul West (Mr.) and Sultana Ladhani (Ms.) Correspondence: Facilitator, The Commonwealth Education Hub, Health ft Education Unit, Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y SHX, United Kingdom.

Email: eduhub®commonwealth.

int Web: www.

thecommonwealth-educationhub.

net To cite this report: The Commonwealth Education Hub Discussion Summary (December 2015), Education and Radicalisation.
This publication is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (international): "Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike" (CC-BY-NC·SA), available at http: I /creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ .

;111!

'#- • ., The Commonwealth '" Education Hub Disclaimer: The Education Hub is an initiative of the Commonwealth Secretariat, UK.
In posting messages or incorporating these messages into synthesized responses, the Education Hub or the Commonwealth Secretariat accepts no responsibility for its veracity or authenticity.

Readers intending to use or transmit the information contained in these messages should be aware that they are relying on their own judgment.

Global Information Society Watch 2013 ~~RPG Hivos Global information Society Watch 2013 Steering committee Anrlette Esterhuysen (APC) Loe Schou!
(Hivos) Coordinating committee Janine Moolman (APC) Monlque Ooppert (Hives) Valeria Betanwurt (APC) Mallory Knodel (APC) Project coordinator Valeria Betancollrt Editor Alan Finlay Assistant editor Lori Nordstrom Publication production Mallory KnDdel Proofreading Valerie Dee Lori Nordstrom Graphic design Monocromo lnfo@monocromo.com.uy Phone: +598 2400 1685 Cover illustration Matias Berveji\lo Financial support provided by Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (Hives) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Funding Leadership and Opportunities for Women (FLOW} ~~ APG Ht'vos Global Information Society Watch Published by APC and Hivos 2013 Creative Commons Attribution ).O Licence <creativecommons.org/llcenses/by-nc-nd/3-0) Some rights reserved, ISSN: 2225·4625 ISBN: 978·92-95102-06-4 APt ·20i)1o-CIPP-R-EN-D"IGITAL·t97 Violence against women online Jan Mootman Association for Progressive Communications (APC) www.apc.org The need to prioritise violence against women online We live in a violent world.
On any day in any country, we will read or hear or see stories about a woman or girl child being raped, beaten or murdered.

We might even !<now one of them.

She could be rich or poor.

She could be educated or illiterate.

She could live in a country ravaged by war or one in which the per capita income is the highest in the world.

But as long as she lives in a woman's body, she risks experiencing violence in her lifetime.
In case this is dismissed as alarmist, consid er that almost 35% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence (this excludes oth er types of violence) and as many as 38% of all murders of women are committed by an intimate partner, according to a recent study by the Wortd Health Organization and others.
1 Technology~related forms of violence against women (VAW), which we define as violence against women that is committed, abetted or aggravated through the use of information and communications technologies (lCTs) and in online spaces, are part of this continuum of violence.

Technology-related VAW occurs in a context of systemic and structural inequality, which fuels and reproduces misogyny and discrimination.
As an emerging form of VAW it is a significant barrier to women's and girls' ability to take advantage of the opportunities that lCTs pro vide for the fun realisation of women's human rights and development.
In this context, in the world of internet rights and governance, where there is very tittle overt concern with women's specific experiences, the 1 World Health Organization, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, South African Medical Research Council (2013) Global and reg1"ona/ estimates ofv/alence against women: prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence, WHO, Switzerland.
absence of meaningful engagement about the implications of increasing mass surveillance, in termediary liability, enhanced cooperation and the foregrounding of freedom of expression as a primary rights concern, and other "priority" issues for women and women human rights defenders as stakeholders, will merely perpetuate and exacer~ bate the conditions in which technology-related forms ofVAW thrive.

What do we know?
What do we know?

The 2oo6 United Nations Secretary-General's report on VAW noted, "More inquiry is also needed about the use of technology, such as computers and cell phones, in developing and expanding forms of vio lence.

Evolving and emerging forms of violence need to be named so that they can be recognised and better addressed."
2 Today, despite evidence show ing an increase in violations involving technology, very little corresponding recognition of technology related forms ofVAW by states, 3 intergovernmental institutions and other actors responsible for ending VAW exists.

Consequently, it is not prioritised in prevention and response strategies, budgeting and evidence-based policy making, and women who ex perience these violations have little or no redress.
Cyber stalking, online harassment, image ma nipulation and privacy violations have increasingly become part of intimate partner violence and sex ual harassment.
This compromises women's and girls' safety online and offline and causes psycho logical and emotional harm, reinforces prejudice, damages reputation, causes economic loss, and poses barriers to participation in public life.4 Of 2 UN General Assembly (2oo6) il1-depth study on all forms of violence against women: Report of the Secretary-Genera/, 6july, A/61/122 I Add, 1, www.refv.lorld .org/ docid/ 484e58702.h lm l 3 An example of legislation that specifically addresses technology-related forms of violence against women is the Philippines' Arati·Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009, which addresses violence against women that is perpetrated through the making, accessing and/or circulating of Images of women, of the genitals or oft hem Involved in sexual acts.
While there are limitations to this act, it takes seriously the harm that is done to women through violence perpetrated to their Image.

4 Fascendlnl, F. and Fialova, K. (2011) Voices {ram Digital Spaces: Techna/ogy-re/ated violence against women, APC.

www.genderlt.

org/node/3539 38 I Global information Sodetv Vo.


'atch the 470 technology-related violations reported via the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) mapping platform,> the majority related to repeated harassment (too) followed by threats of violence and blackmail (58) and abusive com ments (43).
APC's recent global monitoring survey on sexual rights and the internet bears this out as it showed that while 98% of sexual rights ac tivists see the internet as critical for their work, 51% of them have received violent and threatening messages.

Cases and stories shared through the online platform illustrate the urgent need for effective responses from different actors.
Examples quoted verbatim include: Threats of violence "Its been a month since I have been receiving nasty mean text messages, death threats and rape threats.

I was also being watched.

Whenev~ er I receive a text its either they say that they are watching me or following me.

Its becoming more scary everyday.

The problem is/ don't !<now who is those people who send those text messages.

(.

.. ) As much as I want to file a case I cant do anything because I have no proof on such person.
( ... ) I tried to contact the network company if they can help me regarding my case.

But they just said the per son who sends me those text is using a prepaid and they cannot do anything about it."
(Story from the Philippines) Misogynist hate speech ''My own 'mentions• tab on Twitter is generally flooded with unoriginal misogynist, heteronorma tive responses, ranging all the way from claims that I'm a feminist because I'm' too ugly to land a man' to claims that I'm actually a 'confused lesbian', all the way to threats of' corrective rape' because 1 choose to tweet- just tweet- about issues such as childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexualised violence.
I've received vile, detailed messages from random strangers who decide to tell me my home address and then live out their rape fantasies online by telling me in graphic detail which parts of my body they would like to do things to."

(Story from Pakistan) Surveillance "Eventually she found out that her husband had managed to bribe someone working at the mobile phone service provider which she used.
He had used her identity card number and name to find out the details of her account and managed to se cure a print-aut of all the calls she had made and received."
(Story from Malaysia) Normalisation of violence Prominent women bloggers, journalists and leaders are regularly subjected to online abuse and violent threats that attack their sexuality and right to ex press an opinion, especially when it is related to fields where men have traditionally been held as experts, such as gaming, politics and technology.

One of the highest profile cases of misogyny and harassment recently is the case of Anita Sarkee sian.
Her 14crime" was to raise money for a series of videos 14exploring female character stereotypes throughout the history of the gaming industry."'

A campaign against Sarkeesian began which Includ ed calls for her to be gang-raped and em ails sent to her that contained images of her being raped by video game characters.

It culminated in the Beat Up Anita Sarkeesian "game" which allowed garners to punch her image until the screen turned red with her "blood".
Sarkeesian's own analysis drives to the heart of what makes online harassment and misog yny, even in their extreme forms, acceptable, when similar actions offline would be condemned- and that it is more than just the anonymity of the har assers, but also the online misogynist culture that accepts and even celebrates it.
The normalisation of violent behaviour and the culture that tolerates VAW- such as that exercised against Sarkeesian mimic trends offline/ While there Is still a pronounced gender gap in internet use and access, data collected by the Inter national Telecommunication Union (ITU) shows that women's presence online is massive.

According to the \TU, globally 37'/o of all women are online com pared with 41% of all men.
The developing world is home to about 826 million female and 980 million male internet users, while in the developed world the estimate is 475 million female and 483 million male internet users.

8 At the same time, technology- s See www.takebackthetech.net/mapit-an Ushahidi platform that is building evidence on the nature and extent of technology· related forms ofVAW by documenting, reporting, monitoring and analysing cases.
The platform Is part of the APC project End Violence: Women's rights and safety online, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS) Funding Leadership and Opportunities for Women (FLOW) Fund.

6 From Anita Sarkeeslan's fundralslng page at Klckstarter: www.

kicks tarter.

com /projects/s664293 2 s/tropes-vswomen·in·video games 7 Moolman, ).

{2013) APC Statement to the CSW 57th Session: Violence against women and Information and communications techno logy.

www.
www.

genderl t.org/ sites/ default/upload/ csw_apc_ statement_final_verslon_o.pdf \WJW.Itu.int/ITU-D /let/facts I materi al/ICTF acts Figureszo13.pdf s 39 I Globallriforrnation Society Watch related forms ofVAW have become part of women's online interactions.

In the same way we face risks offline in the streets and in our homes, violence turns the internet into an unsafe space with specific dangers and risks for women, such as those menw tioned above.
Not black and white As women's rights activists concerned with address ing technology-related forms ofVAW, the terrain we work in is complex and we are often confronted with binary positions that close down the opportunities to find effective solutions.

These include anonym ity, accountability and responsibility of non-state actors in relation to the governance of the internet, and others.
To illustrate with one example, in May 2013 a group of feminists and women's rights ac tivists launched a campaign to "Take action to end gender-based violence on Facebook".

The campaign called on Facebook to take immediate action to ad dress how it dealt with the representation of rape and domestic violence, and called on advertisers whose ads appeared next to this content to immedi ately withdraw their ads until Facebool< addressed this issue by banning "gender-based hate speech" on the site.
9 The campaign was a huge success.

Within a wee!< Facebool< had met with the cam paigners, accepted that there were inconsistencies in implementing their own community standards, and committed to taking actions to improve their content policy by Identifying and removing gender based violence content on their platform.10 Despite this victory, some freedom of expres sion activists argued that it was not Facebook's role to be censoring speech, even if it is hate speech.
While agreeing that the speech highlighted by the campaign is "abhorrent, awful and offensive", lillian York, director for international freedom of expres sion at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, pointed out that these forms of speech are already covered by law, cautioning that the campaign sets a danger ous precedent for other "special interest groups looking to get their pet issues censored.
"ll Garcia outlines the complexity of positioning a response to gender-based hate speech in opposition to freedom of expression.
12 She argued, firstly, that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute and is also subject to other rights, pointing out that part of the problem is that gender-based hate speech - despite its pervasiveness and the harm it causes to almost half the world's population - is typically not included in definitions of and legislation on hate speech, which York argues is covered by existing laws.
Secondly, she argued, Facebook should decide on its human rights policies including standards about the acceptability of misogynist and gender-based hate speech on its online platform, in the same way that a workplace or any company has standards about sex ist behaviour.

And lastly, Facebook does already have existing rules and community standards and regulates content, but these need to be implemented better and in consultation with their users What next?
Technology-related forms of VAW are gammg increasing recognition as a critical area for inter vention in the broader women's and human rights movements.
In 2013, the outcomes documenf13 for the Commission on the Status of Women's 57th session for the first time included the issue of technology and violence, calling for states to: Support the development and use of ICT and social media as a resource for the empower ment of women and girls, including access to information on the prevention of and re sponse to violence against women and girlsi and develop mechanisms to combat the use of ICT and social media to perpetrate vioM lence against women and girls, including the criminal misuse of ICT for sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, child pornography and trafficking in women and girls, and emerging forms of violence such as cyber stalking, cyber bullying and privacy violations that compro mise women's and girls' safety.
Earlier this year the UN Working Group on Discrimi nation Against Women in Law and Public Life also highlighted technology and violence against wom en in their first thematic report:1 4 9 Chemaly, 5., Friedman,).

and Bates, L. (2013) An Open Letter to Facebook, Huf{ington Post, 21 May.

WWVII.huffingtonpost.com/soraya chemaly/an-open-letter-to-faceboo_t_b_]]07394·html?utm_hp_ref=tw 10 Garcia, C. (2013) #fbrape is about gender-based hate speech, not about censorship.

www.
www.

genderlt.org/ fern ini st-talk/fbrape-about · gender-based-hate-speech-not-about-censorship 11 York,).

(2013) Facebook Should Not be In the Business of Censoring Speech, Even Hate Speech.

WVJw.slate.com/blogsfxx_ factor/2013/os/3o/facebook_and_hate_speech_the_company_ should_not_be_Jn_the_buslness_of_censorship.html 12 Garda (2013) Op.

cit.

13 Commission on the Status of Women (2013) Agreed conclusions on the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls.
www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/csws7/ CSWs 7 _Agreed_ Conclu sions_(CSW _reporLexcerpt).

pdf 14 UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women in law and Public llfe (2013) Report of the Working Group on the Issue of discrimination against women in law and In practice.

www.
www.

ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodles/HRCoundl/RegularSession/ Sess ion23/ A.H RC.2 3·5 o_E N. pdf 40 1 Global Information Society Watdl The Internet has become a site of diverse forms of violence against women, in the form of pornography, sexist games and breaches of pri vacy.
For women who engage in public debate through the Internet, the risk of harassment is experienced online, for example, an anonymous negative campaign calling for the gang rape of a woman human rights defender, with racist abuse posted in her Wikipedia profile.

Female \CT users have publicly protested about sexist attacks.
The report recommends that states support wom en's equal participation in political and public life through ICTs, including by: • Increasing women's digital literacy, particularly among marginalised women.

• Ensuring gender-responsiveness in the promo tion and protection of human rights on the Inter net.

• Improving women's access to the global govern- ance of ICTs.

Effectively responding to and preventing tech nology-related forms of VAW require multiple strategies and actions by different actors.
This in cludes amongst other things: • Strengthening the capacity of women' rights organisations, activists and users to use tech nology safely and contribute towards building evidence and understanding of this emerging form of violence.
• Calling on state and non-state actors (particu larly private sector actors) to recognise and ad dress technology-related forms of VAW and be accountable for developing, supporting and en couraging online environments and prevention and service responses that foreground women's rights and realities.

These should include effec tive and responsive complaints mechanisms, laws (for \ega\ remedies) and policies.

a Raising awareness amongst all users about the issue ofVAW.
If we as internet rights and women's rights activists believe that the promised freedoms and opportuni ties of the internet and other \CTs should be accorded to all who use them, then we must confront the assumptions and systemic inequalities which con tinue to marginalise women, even in these supposed liberated spaces.
We need to ask ourselves what kind of internet rights activists we are if we do not take women's rights and safety seriously enough to do something about technology-related VAW., 41 f Globallnformallon Society Watch The Importance Of Parliamentarians In The SDG Process A wealth of international landmark documents such as the Agenda 21, the Millennium Declaration and the Rio+20 outcome document "The Future We Want" have called for democratic governance, human rights and the participa tion of all stakeholders in building an inclusive model for sustainable development.
Some of these documents refer specifically to the in volvement of parliaments, whose members will also have a role to play in developing and realising the SDGs.

This is not without reason.

With most legisla tures responsible for legislating, policy over sight and budget approval, Parliaments are central to the development agenda.
Parlia mentarians are therefore uniquely positioned to influence the shape and content of their respective national development agendas and its implementation processes through the fol lowing features: • Parliamentarians can exercise a leadership role in policy formulation, the development of legislation and most importantly its implementation at national level; • Parliamentarians hold the purse strings.
They have the power to define the fiscal and budgetary regimes needed to mobilise national resources toward financing development efforts, create new and innovative sources of financing in addition to official development assistance; • Parliamentarians have the means to ensure oversight, accountability, transparency and the strengthening of the institutions of good governance at country level; • Parliamentarians represent their electorate and can give expression to the will and voice of citizens.
"Parliaments will play a central role in shaping and implementin!

'l our new agenda" Ban l<i-moon, UN Secretary-General in a mes sage to the IPU Annual Parliamentary Hearing in November2013.
With regard to a future development agenda: • Parliamentarians will have the task to translate the future development agenda into their very own national perspective, thus creating ownership and ultimately having the responsibility to formulating credible laws and establishing relevant institutions within the context of national realities; • Parliamentarians should strive to build new partnerships, work more collaboratively across countries, and in interdisciplinary ways at their national levels; ' Parliamentarians will have the critical task of ensuring national accountability and oversight in the implementation of the post 2015 development agenda and the attainment of the SDGs; • Finally, Parliamentarians must ensure that (environmental) sustainability underpins the policy making and implementation processes across all ministries, put in place the enabling conditions for the private sector and civil society to partner with governments to engender a green economy, review issues related to consumption and production patterns, initiate national dialogues, and reinforce the interconnection in the minds of the respective citizens among the three pillars of development.i301 3m See: http:/ lw¥·-;vv.
:r:..Lo:g/spiz·-e/unga 13/pga.pdf; http:/ /wvlw.ipu.org/ ~plz-t•/unga ·1 3/ursg.pt~~ 26 The Importance Of Parlian:entarians In The SDG Process 27 However, parliamentary involvement in the SDG process is not free from challenges that have to be addressed, especially as Parliamen tarians are often overlooked partners in the de velopment process: Looking back at the process leading up to the MDGs, it was argued1311 that during the initial process of creating the MDGs and later on agreeing on them, ensuring the involvement of national and regional Parliaments was not prioritised.
This process was largely led by the Executive branches of Governments on behalf of their countries.
The lack of input from Parlia ments on the MDGs created an initial discon nect between legislatures and the Goals that led to a general lack of engagement on key is sues of legislation, policy oversight and budget scrutiny linked to the MDGs.l321 Parliaments will provide the legislative frame work for the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda as well as prioritising fi nancial resources and providing accountability for the development and implementation of any agreed agenda.
Regional Parliaments and networks can play an important role in fostering regional consensus on development priorities.

It is important that national Parliaments are being involved and proactive rather than re active with regards to their engagement in the SDG process.

Otherwise, the SDGs risk seeing a lack of ownership in Parliaments, ir regular oversight of SDG related policies and programmes and limited SDG related budget prioritisation and analysis.
(Jll, (Jll D}1'an Jones: "Maximising the Involvement of P(~ · 2T 3 : · ' ; : ( _:r1:: w the Post--20'!

5 Development .Agenda Consultations" t:<·n:··.

~-.

',; ;!1e Southeast, East ad Northeast Asia and the Pacific PaC~r: £· ;·:;·-::;:-', ~;~d ~SO Forum on MDG Acceleroiion and lhe Post 201.1 Devecpc-·cn· ;c-21 November 20 12, Manila, Pl1ilippines.

,. '
,. '

,- ,_ t' ' ' l ' Entry Points For Parliamentarians To Promote Sustainable Development A number of reformed and/or newly created structures appeared as a consequence of the SDG process.

Below is a short overview of the most promising ones and how Parliamentar ians can use them.

A.
THE HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM ON THE SOGS 1" 1 One critical outcome of the Rio+20 Confer ence was the decision to establish a universal intergovernmental high-level political forum The Forum will be the "guardian of the sus tainable development agenda for leaders to refiect on today's priorities and to review sus tainable development commitments and ob jectives, including those related to the means of implementation within the context of the post-2015 development agenda, not in isola tion but in an integrative and holistic manner'~ Summary of the first meeting of the high-level political forum on the SDGs, §8.
on sustainable development.
This new forum, The Forum, under the auspices of ECOSOC, which replaces the UN Commission on Sustain able Development (CSD) is of intergovernmen tal universal character and will: will conduct regular reviews, starting in 2016, on the follow-up and implementation of sus tainable development commitments and ob jectives, including those related to the means • Provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations for sustainable of implementation, within the context of the post-2015 development agenda.
development; • Follow-up and review progress in the implementation of sustainable The inaugural meeting of the Forum was held on 24 September 2013, under the theme development commitments; "Building the future we want: from Rio+20 to • Enhance the integration of the three the post-2015 development agenda': Partici dimensions of sustainable development; pants in this inaugural meeting included Heads • Have a focused, dynamic and action oriented agenda, ensuring the appropriate of State and Government, other high-ranking officials, including ministers, observers, mem consideration of new and emerging sustainable development challenges.
bers of major groups and other stakeholders, high level representatives of the organisations The Forum will meet: • Every four years under the auspices of the General Assembly at the level of Heads of State and Government- for two days at the beginning of the General Assembly session; • Every year under the auspices of the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) -for eight days, including a three-day ministerial segment; • Both meetings will adopt a negotiated declaration.
of the UN system but no parliamentarians.

The next meeting dates of the HLPF -to be held under the auspices of the ECOSOC - is previewed for 30 June- 3 July 2014 (non-ministerial meet ings) and for 7-11 July (high-level segment of the Forum).

The theme to be discussed will be The MDGs and Charting the Way for an Ambitious Post- 2015 Development Agenda, Including the SDGs:ll~ JsJ hi rrw!i' ,nf,yr-:3tion about the Forum see: http'l/ ststJ; 'E bi;:dt\'e: 0pmentun.

org/indeKph p?

nwnu"'· 15 56 36!


Su': t~tw :I/ u ncsd.

:;s\t org/ rww5/h!

pf-agre~·s-on-theme-meeting­ : dares/22EAS.

)f 30 '"''' Enti"Y Points For Parliarnentarians To Prornote Sustainable Developnlent 31 The theme will take into account both the mandate of ECOSOC to evaluate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), B.
THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT ASSEMBLY (UNEA) 3 ' Established in 2012, the United Nations Environ and the mandate of the HLPFto implement the sustainable development agenda.illl ment Assembly of the UNEP (UNEA) is the main governing body of UNEP.

Fig.
2: Governance Structure of UNEA UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT ASSEMBLY (UNEA) I Universal membership Meets biennially in 2014 Concludes with a 2 day high level segment COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT REPRESENTATIVES (CPR) I Missions accredited to UNEP Open·ended Meeting I Meets in even years for 5 days Other Meetings I Regular quarterly meetings, ad hoc meetings, thematic debates and briefings Subcommittee Meeting I Meets annually for 5 days UNEA has the following functions: ' r • Setting the global environmental agenda; Providing overarching policy guidance and defining policy responses to address emerging environmental challenges; • Undertaking policy review, dialogue and exchange of experiences; • Setting the strategic guidance on the future direction of UNEP; • Organising a multi-stakeholder dialogue; Fostering partnerships for achieving environ mental goals and resources mobilisation.
{37) For more information, see: !lltp:/ /sust·ainabled(~velopmentun.org/ contentldocuments/!37JDraft%20note%20of%20tl~e%20ECOSOC%20 President%20on%20HLPF%20FINAL%20-Cl FAN 1·1 decprnprK especialiy p 7f.
(3Bl For more inf01mation about U~EA, see: http://www.unep.org/about/ sgb/U nit eel r~ations[nviron mmtAssembly I tilbid/ i 29496/language/en- :-:., ' lleiauit.aspx UNEA replaces UNEP's Governing Council, which was established as a 58-member body in 1972 to promote international environmental coop eration and coordinated environmental activities within the UN system; Entry Points For Parliamentarians To Promote Sustainable Development ronmental sustainability, population dynam ics and health complement and reinforce each other.
Within the SDG process, UNEP and UNFPA could consider commissioning a joint report on the linkages between the above mentioned issues that contributes to formu lating relevant overarching goals and targets.
In the run-up to ICPD+20 UNEP and UNFPA leadership role could explore taking up a through bilateral strategies and programmes in order to achieve environmental sustainabil ity based on a human-rights based approach and taking into consideration the need of the most vulnerable groups such as women, chil dren, poor people living in rural areas.
"Decisions on environmental sustainability must be taken in the interest of the most vul nerable, supporting their social protection, health, livelihood, population levels, educa tion and gender-related issues" Baroness Jennifer Tonge, EPF President and EPF Executive Committee Members Forty years later, at the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), the international community decid ed to strengthen and upgrade UNEP including through the establishment of universal mem bership in the Governing Council.
As a follow up to this decision, the Governing Council held its first session with universal member ship in February 2013, where countries agreed the to rename the Governing Council as "United Nations Environment Assembly of the UNEP" (UNEA).

UNEA will meet biennially in Nairobi starting in 2014.

UNEA is mandated to ensure the ac tive participation of all relevant stakeholders in the governance of UNEP and to promote a strong science-policy interface.

What needs to be done?


The first meeting of the UNEA which is tak ing place 23-27 June 2014 should not happen without parliamentary involvement.

Parlia mentarians should contact their relevant Min istry to see if this meeting Will be attended by a national delegation and request this delega tion to be opened for Parliamentarians as well.
On a broader scale, UNEP can consider explor ing closer working relationships with other relevant bodies, entities, programmes and funds within the UN System such as UNFPA.
The priorities of both - climate change, envi- i 32 ntry Points For Parlian1entarians To Promote Sustainable Development 33 C, OTHER ENTRY POINTS AND FUTURE INITIATIVES THAT PARliAMENTARIANS CAN PROMOTE In a range of interviews that EPF conducted with Parliamentarians involved in the SDG/ post-2015 process, a number of ideas and fu ture initiatives of how Parliamentarians can promote, drive and implement the SDGs ma terialised: l. Create a post-2015 Watch Entity Hon.
Petra Bayr, MP, EPF Vice-President and Spokesperson for Development and Environ ment for the Social Democrats in the Austrian Parliament suggested to create an internation ally supported "Post-2015 Watch Entity" bring ing together Parliaments from all regions, as well as relevant International Organisations and bigger CSO networks like Oxfam, Green peace, Human Rights Watch among others to closely monitor progress and implementation of post-2015 obligations for all regions.
This entity would conduct regular meetings and produce progress reports with the aim to show in which areas good progress is being made, where we are lagging behind, why and what can be changed.
Such an entity should primarily be designed to bring together Par liamentarians, provide them with a forum for regular discussions and to find a common line on relevant topics - a pre-condition to make their collective voice heard as well as to ex change best practices, learn from each other and use different experiences to find solutions for similar challenges.
"The objective of the post-2015 working group in the Belgian Senate was two-fold: to inform MPs and Senators about the post-2015 process through expert briefings from various stakeholders.

Second, to organise a colloqui um in the Belgian Parliament on the post- 2015 process.

Resulting from the successful colloquium, a resolution was presented to the government on behalf of the parliament to stress the importance of having Belgium deeply involved in the post-2015 process.
In fact, it was an encouragement for the govern ment to defend an ambitious position during the discussions on the post-2015 agenda" Senator Vanessa Matz, Belgium 2, Consider creating a Focal Point for MP engagement for implementing the SDGs By nature, Parliamentarians are forced gener alists, they have an open, stated commitment to a vision improving society and they are ambitious but with busy agendas.
Therefore, Parliamentarians do rely on external expertise, they need 'actionable' solutions and they need experiences in order to cultivate visibility.

The SDGs/post-2015 process is a complex, multi-layered and oftentimes very technical endeavour with a lot of actors involved.

En suring regular and effective parliamentary in volvement therefore necessitates permanent and structured guidance.

Against this background, Hon.


Petra Bayr, MP would invite other MPs to join her in her call to consider creating a Unit of Focal Points for MP engagement in the implementation of SDG/ post-2015 decisions once they are finalised.

Ideally, such a group would consist of 3-5 ex perienced staff dividing responsibilities across the world's regions with the aim to guide and Entry Points For Parliamentarians To Promote Sustainable Development help MPs in getting and remaining active in the process.
This would for example include pointing out different possibilities of engage ment in various relevant fora such as the ones portrayed above, provide regular briefings, updates and possibly assist Parliamentarians with concrete input in these fora and in their policy work at home.

Conclusion: Parliaments and Parliamentarians are a key el ement in advancing the sustainable develop ment goals at home and abroad.
Their role in holding the executive branch of government accountable during the SDG negotiation pro cess, ensuring transparency and accountabil ity is of major importance.

Yet, parliamentary influence and involvement in the process has not beenfully capitalised on and leveraged.
We hope this handbook provides decision makers with a good overview of opportuni ties, tools as well as key dates that Parliamen tarianscan consider exploring and using in the coming months to ensure that the sustainable development goals are advanced and fully in tegrated into the future global development agenda.

34 1214CPAHQIBIMR16 14 December 2016 CPA HQ Copy to: CPA Regional Secretaries Helen Haywood Anna Burt Alasdair Rendall CPA British Isles & Mediterranean Region @ CPC 2016 1.
CPA BIMR Activities.

The thirteen branches within BIMR between them undertake a broad range of activities and programmes.

Whilst CPA UK undertakes the bulk of the programmes in BIMR and probably within CPA as a whole, some others, such as the Isle of Man have comprehensive outreach programmes.

Details of each branch's activities are available separately if required; CPA UK's programmes may be found on www.uk·cpa.org.

As a region CPA BIMR conducts three types of activities as outlined below: a.
The 2-3 day annual conference held in May and hosted around the region.

Within the annual conference sit: (1) The AGM - and note that CPA BIMR does not have an ExCo, the AGM is chaired by the senior regional representative.

(2) A programme of four workshops supporting the theme of the conference, chosen by the host branch with the support of the regional secretariat.

(3) A CPA BIMR CWP business meeting.

b.


A separate 1-2 day BIMR CWP annual conference held in February I March to recognise international women's day.

Hosted around the region, the theme is agreed at the CWP Regional steering committee meeting.

c. A BlMR CWP steering committee meeting held (now in Westminster) every November I December.

2.

To be discussed® Regional Secretaries' Meeting Thursday 15 December.

Support from CPA HQ for programmes within CPA regions.
Andrew Andrew Tuggey +44 20 7219 5373 .
,J>A BIMR Secretruiat 'esnninster 'Hall London United Kingd{)l\1 SWlA OAA 1: +44 (0) 20 7219 5373 iF: +44 (0) 20 233 1202 fi: cpa(4'lparliamem.uk I W: www.parliamenr.uk/cpauk '' DIPARTIMENT TAL·INFORMAZZ)ONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR162864 13.12.2016 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Maltese Parliamentary Delegation attends the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentmy Conference am/3511 ' Small Branches Conference Speaker Anglu Fanugia is cunently leading a parliamentary delegation participating at the 62nd Cmmnonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) and the 35th Small Branches Conference which are being held in London, United Kingdom, between 12-17 December.
The delegation is comprised of MPs Cannel a Abela, Clifton Grima and David Agius.

This conference is held on an annual basis, and the theme outlined in this conference is 'A Collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity and Connnon Challenges'.

This theme is an extension of the connnemoration ofConunonwealth Day of the year 2016, celebrated in the second week of March every year, along with the main theme ofCHOGM 2015, which was held in Malta.
The conference is spread across four days, where various themes faced by parliamentarians in their line of work will be discussed.
These include the role of the Commonwealth in fostering freedom of religion or belief; ending violence against women and girls; the impact of social media and the internet in perpetrating violence; the role of parliamentarians in implementing and monitoring policies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); the role of the Commonwealth in suppmiing the outcomes of the COP21 Paris Agreement on Climate Change; the radicalisation of young people and how we are dealing with this challenge throughout the Cmmnonwealth; and the role of the media in promoting public mistrust of parliamentarians.
The parliamentarians will have the opportunity to share the challenges and good practices experienced by their parliaments.

The conference for Small Branches of the Cmmnonwealth, which is held separately within the CPC, will be held between 12-13 December.

This is a conference organised for countries within the Commonwealth which have a population of 500,000 and below.

This year's conference will also feature the election of a new chairperson representing these branches.
Speaker Anglu Fanugia has been nominated for this role by MP Carmela Abela as Executive Cmmnittee Member of the British Isles and Mediterranean Region, which nomination was seconded by Speakers of the Cook Islands and Montserrat respectively.

This election will be held on 12 December.

The conference will come to an end with the General Assembly, where new Executive Connnittee Members will be elected for the next tlu·ee years.
Attachments: photo Page: 1 of1 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) 2200 1700 Fax +(356) 22001775 press.releases@gov.mt www.doi.gov.mt DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR162857 13.12.2016 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta, Anglu Fanugia M.P., addressed those present at Malta House in London during the commemoration of Republic Day.
Speaker Anglu Fanugia gave a brief overview of the history of Republic Day and the Maltese, being a strong population who were always striving, despite their smallness, to be at the forefront of their own principles.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives stressed the importance of discussions in Parliament: a reflection of the voice of the people and that today, more than ever, the Maltese Parliament has a stronger voice by gaining autonomy.
Minister for Home Affairs and National Secmity Cmmelo Abela also addressed those present.

In his address, he spoke about the priorities on the agenda of the upcoming Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, mainly migration and secmity which are considered as high priority.

Later, the Speaker presented a memento of the Maltese Parliament to the Deputy of the High Commission, Mr Buttigieg.
Speaker Anglu Farrugia is leading a parliamentary delegation attending the 62nd Commonwealth Parlimnentary Conference and 35th Small Branches Conference.

The Speaker delegation is composed of Minister Cmmelo Abela, Opposition Whip David Agius and M.P.

Clifton Grima.
Attachments: photos Page: 1 of1 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) 2200 1700 Fax +(356) 22001775 press.releases@gov.mt www.doi.gov.mt DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR 162865 13.12.2016 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER The Speaker of the House of Representatives addresses the 35th Small Branches conference of the Commonwealth The Speaker of the House of Representatives Anglu Fanugia M.P, addressed the delegates present at the 35th Small Branches Conference of the Commonwealth.
In his address, Speaker Fanugia informed about Malta's example as a small state addressing without fail, the challenges of climate change.

'Malta is already advanced in having a power station depending on gas rather the heavy fuel oil complimented by a domestic supported schemes to utilise solar energy by photovoltaic panels', stated Dr Farrugia.
In his concluding remarks, Speaker Anglu Fanugia emphasised about the collective effmis by the CPA small states to be an example to bigger countries to ratify the COP21 Paris agreement on climate change.
Attachments: photos Page: 1 of1 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) 2200 1700 Fax +(356) 2200 1775 press.releases@gov.mt www.doi.gov.mt DIPARTIMENT TAL·INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR 162866 13.12.2016 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER During the 2nd Plenary Session of the Small Branches Conference, tackling the Role of Parliament in the Protection and Safeguarding of children, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Anglu Fanugia, informed the participants that the Maltese Parliament is concluding the final touches on the bill entitled "An Act to replace the Children and Young Persons {Care Orders} Act."
Speaker Fanugia stated that this bill will establish the Child Couti Services and introduce child protection orders and provide for special care and protection for children that are removed or separated from their parents "in out-of-home care".

The Speaker also made reference to the three optional protocols of the UN convention on the Right of the child that include the protection of the child from being used in armed conflict and child pornography.
Attachments: none Page: 1 of1 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356)2200 1700 Fax +(356)2200 1775 press.releases@gov.mt www.doi.gov.mt DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJ ONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR 162868 13.12.2016 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta elected Chailperson of the Small Branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentmy Association The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta Anglu Fanugia was elected the first-ever Chairperson of the Small Branches of the Conu11onwealth Parliamentary Association.
This election was held during the 35th Small Branches Conference held within the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference orgaoised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in London, United Kingdom.

In his acceptance remarks, Speaker Fanugia expressed his gratitude towards the other CPA Small Branches which have shown !Just in electing him as chairperson.
Speaker Fanugia spoke about the pressing need of small legislations within the Commonwealth to come together, within their smallness, to address conunon difficulties and strengths and share experiences of their parliaments or legislative assemblies.
Speaker Fatrugia stated that as a state in the Conunonwealth, among other small countJ·ies, Malta has learnt to appreciate the strengths that being a small counby brings: being flexible enough to be able to work with other parliaments, yet big enough to be influential.
Speaker Farmgia also encouraged fellow Parlian1entarians to be leaders in understanding their citizens and advocate in the best interest of their countJ·ies, both locally and on multilateral levels, especially in contemporary challenges such as youth unemployment, and the ever-increasing in1pmtance of combating terrorism.
Speaker Anglu Farrugia was nominated for this role by Carmelo Abela as Executive Committee Representative of the British Isles and Meditenanean Region, which nomination was seconded by the Speakers of the Cook Islands and Montsenat respectively.

The election took place after three candidates originally submitted their candidature during the past months.

According to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, Speaker Anglu Farrugia will keep this post for the next three years.
The Small Branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association comprises of countries in nine regions of the Commonwealth and adds up to a total of 43 Branches/38 countries spaooing from Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean, America, Australia, Canada and the MeditetTanean.

This is the first occasion where the Small Branches of the Conunonwealth Parliamentary Association have set up such a role within the orgaoisation.
Of the over 180 Branches of the CPA, fmiy-three Branches are classified as 'Small Branches' which are defined as jurisdictions having a population below 500,000 people.

The CPA Headquarters Secretariat works closely with Small Branches in all Regions of the CPA to identify their unique needs and requirements in parliamentary strengtheoing, development and cooperation.
Attachments: photos Page: 1 of1 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) 22001700 Fax +(356) 2200 1775 press.releases@gov.mt www.doi.gov.mt Branches conference .~ ur DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR 162871 14.12.2016 PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Yesterday, Speaker of the House of Representatives Anglu Fanugia was elected Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - Small Branches.
An official press release issued by the C01mnonwealth Parliamentary Association is attached.
Attachments: 1 Page: 1 of1 ' 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) 22001700 Fax +(356) 2200 1775 press.releases@gov.mt www.doi.gov.mt CPA Press Release Newly elected Chairperson of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Small Branches speaks of the pressing need of small legislations within the Commonwealth to come together to address common difficulties and strengths and share experiences of their parliaments The newly elected Chairperson of the CPA Small Branches, Hon.
Anglu Farrugia MP pledged the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) would have a strengthened and renewed focus on assisting Small Branches and their Parliaments and Legislatures.

that The Members of the CPA attending the 35th CPA Small Branches Conference unanimously acclaimed the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Malta as the new Chairperson of Small Branches.
The role of Chairperson of Small Branches is a new Officer role for the CPA and the new incumbent will sit on the CPA International Executive Committee to bring a voice for Small Branches to the governing body of the CPA.

In his acceptance remarks, the newly elected Chairperson of CPA Small Branches, Hon.

Anglu Farrugia MP expressed his gratitude towards the other CPA Small Branches, which have shown trust in electing him as Chairperson.
Speaker Farrugia spoke about the pressing need of small legislations within the Commonwealth to come together, within their smallness to address common difficulties and strengths and share experiences of their parliaments or legislative assemblies.

Speaker Farrugia stated that as a state in the Commonwealth, among other small countries, Malta has learnt to appreciate the strengths of bring a small country: being flexible enough to be able to work with other parliaments, yet big enough to be influential.
Speaker Farrugia also encouraged fellow Parliamentarians to be leaders in understanding their citizens and advocate in the best interest of their countries, both locally and on multilateral levels, especially in contemporary challenges such as youth unemployment, and the ever increasing importance to combat terrorism.

Hon.

Anglu Farrugia MP is the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Malta and he was first elected to the Parliament of Malta in 1996.
He has held many positions including Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Chairman of the Standing Committee for the Consideration of Bills and Member of the Privileges Committee before being elected as Speaker in 2013.

Hon.

Farrugia currently represents the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region on the Standing Committee of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (2016-2018).
The election of the new Chairperson of Small Branches took place at the 35th CPA Small Branches Conference held in London, United Kingdom today as part of the 62"d Commonwealth Parliamentary C PI]\ COMMONWEALTH Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat r\~~:~1t1~~~T:RY Westminster House, Suite 700, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA, United Kingdom. '
- " - - - - - - - - - - ' T: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 I F: +44 (0)20 7222 6073 I Website: www.cpahq.org 1 Email hq.sec@cpahq.org 1 Twitter ®CPA_Secretariat 1 Facebook.com/CPAHQ Conference.

Forty-seven Members of Parliaments and Legislatures from 26 CPA Small Branches attended the conference.

Of the over 180 Branches of the CPA, forty-three Branches are classified as 'Small Branches' which are defined as jurisdictions having a population below 500,000 people.
The CPA Headquarters Secretariat works closely with Small Branches in all Regions of the CPA to identify their unique needs and requirements in parliamentary strengthening, development and cooperation.
Social Media: Twitter #2016CPC @CPA_Secretariat I Facebook.com/CPAHQ I Online www.cpahq.org Notes to Editors 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, 11-17 December 2016, London, United Kingdom The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is the annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

The 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will take place from 11-17 December 2016 (inclusive of arrival and departure days) in London, United Kingdom, hosted the CPA Secretariat.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), now in its lOS'" year with HM The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth as its Patron, exists to develop, promote and support Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and to implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth.

The CPA is an international community of over 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth's commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.
Parliaments, their Members and officials Jearn from each other through CPA activities: Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences, Regional Conferences and other symposiums; lnterparliamentary visits; Parliamentary Seminars and Workshops; Publications including The Parliamentarian, the Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments; and the Parliamentary Information and Reference Centre.
For further information, please contact: Jeffrey Hyland, Editor, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association T: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 (switchboard) I T: +44 (0)20 72271696 (direct) 1 E: jh@cpahg.org C PI_A COMMONWE~LHl PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIA'l'JON Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat Westminster House, Suite 700, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA, United Kingdom.
T: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 I F: +44 (0)20 7222 6073 I Website: www.cpahg.org 1 Email hg.sec@cpahg.org 1 Twitter ®CPA_Secretariat 1 Facebook.com/CPAHQ DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR162880 14.12.2016 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker and the Parliamentary Delegation pay a courtesy visit to the Maltese Franciscan Sisters in London Speaker of the House of Representatives Anglu Farrugia and the Maltese Parliamentary Delegation cmTently attending the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, visited the Maltese Franciscan Sisters in Victoria, London and the patients who are presently residing in the home.
Speaker Fmrugia presented mementos of appreciation and support to the Maltese Franciscan Sisters and to the patients respectively.

The Maltese Deputy High Conunissioner to the United Kingdom Mr Mario Buttigieg was also present.

Attachments: photos Page: 1 of1 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) ZZOO 1700 Fax +(356] ZZOO 1775 press.releases@gov.mt www.doi.gov.mt I. DIPART!MENT TAL·INFORMAZZJON!
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR 162890 15.12.2016 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Earlier today, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Anglu Farrugia pmiicipated in the workshops organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association being held in London.
During the conference, with regard to tackling the role of parliamentarians in implementing and monitoring policies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Speaker Fanugia said that parliaments must provide for effective parliamentary oversight so as to ensure govemmental achievements with respect to these SDGs, which parliamentary role is essential in securing the quality of such achievements.
Speaker Fmrugia continued by informing those present that the Maltese Parliament has addressed the issue of gender equality.

He also said that, at present, the Maltese Parliament has moved through their first reading stage two bills: "the Commission on Human Rights and Equality Bill", and "the Equality Bill".

The panel thanked Speaker Farmgia for his intervention and stated that Malta is at the forefront in this regard, especially when it comes to LGBT rights.
Attachments: photo Page: 1 of1 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356} 2200 1700 Fax +{356) 2200 1775 press.releases@gov.mt www.doi.gov.mt . '
DIPARTIMENT TAL·INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR 162904 16.12.2016 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anglu Farrugia, made his presentation during the last workshop at the Conunonwealth Parliamentary Association, in favour of the motion: "The Media Plays a Large Role in Promoting Public Mistmst of Parliamentarians", where he made reference also to the recent mlings he delivered.
At the end of the workshop, the motion supported by Speaker Fatrugia passed with a great majority of votes (23 against 6).

During the General Assembly, Speaker Anhu Farrugia's recent posting as Chairperson of the Small Branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentaty Association, has been endorsed within the Commonwealth's Parliamentary Association constitution.

Attachments: photo Page: 1 of1 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) 2200 1700 Fax +(356) 22001775 press.releases@gov.mt www.doi.gov.mt