News Release
With the goal of facilitating the exchange of good practices, ideas, and knowledge between parliaments, the Parliamentary Centre of Asia collaborated with the French National Assembly and the French Senate to organise the “Workshop on Parliamentary Work” in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The event is an evolution of the “Training Seminar on Parliamentary Responsibilities: Strengthening the Institutions” that was offered by PCAsia each year from 2018 to 2023. The first in a series of planned annual workshops, it was held from 17 to 20 December 2024, with a focus on supporting the legislative and oversight functions among parliaments in the ASEAN region. The event’s agenda and academic content are the result of the three institutions’ combined efforts working to develop parliamentary capacity.
The opening day began with welcome remarks from Madam NGUYEN Tuong Van, Vice-Chair of Board of Directors of PCAsia and Former AIPA Secretary General, during which she noted the importance of experience sharing between participants, and how the ideas discussed might be implemented in the participating parliaments. Her remarks were followed by opening remarks from Ms Claire GLOAGUEN, Adviser, Deputy Head of Interparliamentary and Cooperation Unit of the French National Assembly, who explained how the workshop was “the younger sibling” of the International Short Programmes (PIC) training that have long been organised in Europe by the French National Assembly and Senate, but set in the ASEAN context informed by PCAsia’s long experience conducting trainings with parliaments in Southeast Asia.
The workshop was joined by over 40 participants from the Parliaments Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Thailand, as well as King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI). It featured presentations about the varied legislative and oversight practices of the Parliaments of France, India, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Canada, Cambodia, the Philippines, the European Parliament, and AIPA. Each was followed by dynamic discussions facilitated by the skillful moderators from the French National Assembly and Senate, the Parliament of India, and PCAsia.
Over the four days of the workshop, attendees learnt about and compared thoughts on the working methods of parliaments from Asia, Europe, and North America. Importantly, the programme included a central focus on group work and practical activities aimed at strengthening not only knowledge, but practical skills among participants. These included Interactive Group Work on the Legislative Procedure during the workshop’s second day, and Interactive Group Work on Evaluation of Public Policies on the third day. After each group completed their respective assignments, they presented them to their fellow attendees and engaged in Q&A sessions.
Closing remarks were delivered by Mr Fabrice ROBERT, Director of Legislation and Control of the French Senate. He praised participants for the spirit of exchange and cooperation that emerged, noting how the diversity of experiences shared had helped to strengthen the workshop. His comments continued that despite the many differences, common trends emerged during discussions about the importance of citizen involvement, and improved transparency and accountability before MPs. Exchanges had also highlighted how many parliaments are currently at the crossroads of tradition and modernization, and how new technology is strengthening the chambers, with notable examples from Thailand and India. Other areas of importance brought up during the workshop included the varied roles of oversight tools such as questions, debates, and hearings, as well as the increasing relevance of international cooperation in fostering good practices – with this workshop being a good example.
Mr ROBERT made special mention of the excellent group work, during which participants produced bills and resolutions in a precise manner within a very short time. He also praised the volunteers who gave effective summaries at the conclusion of each day. He thanked all the resources persons and moderators for their expert contributions, and concluded by sharing his hope that the workshop attendees will remain in touch to exchange good practices, to help strengthen the work of their parliaments on an ongoing basis.
Heading
NEWS
Workshop on Parliamentary Work 2024
News Release With the goal of facilitating the exchange of good practices, ideas, and knowledge between parliaments, the Parliamentary Centre … Read More / pcasiadmin
NEWS
PCAsia-FACT Programme Conducts Onsite-Training on Climate Finance and Policy Costing in Phnom Penh
The Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia) programme on Fiscal Analysis Capacity Training (FACT) on Climate Finance and Policy Costing conducted … Read More / pcasiadmin
WORK WITH US
Call for proposal to deliver training on Techniques to write standardized press release and to formulate the right angle for the news pitch to be taken place in Cambodia for Cambodian parliamentary staff
The Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia) is seeking for training instructor. Parliamentary Centre of Asia The Parliamentary Centre of Asia … Read More / pcasiadmin
NEWS
Opening of FACT Onsite Training
on Sustainable Finance and Policy Costing and the Training on Public Finance for Sustainable Development and Climate Action Phnom Penh … Read More / pcasiadmin
WORK WITH US
Training institute/expert organisation to deliver training and delivery the production of short videos.
The Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia) is seeking a training institute/expert organisation to deliver training and delivery the production of … Read More / pcasiadmin
WORK WITH US