On 15 September , the Inter-Parliamentary Union together with the Office of the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries organized a panel discussion on The role of parliaments in building good governance in the LDCs. This event was part of the high-level meeting on the comprehensive global mid-term review of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010.
The panel presented issues and possible solutions in areas important to parliaments in the least-developed countries, and was attended by legislators from both LDCs and developed countries, members of the European Parliament, permanent missions to the United Nations, accredited non-governmental organizations, as well as relevant United Nations bodies.
In the first discussion, led by Mrs. Anne Makinda (Deputy Speaker, Tanzania) and Mr. Joseph Gnonlonfoun (former MP and minister, Benin), it was stressed that it was the responsibility of the international community to help train first-time LDC parliamentarians, who often do not have the knowledge or tools to work effectively. The speakers also mentioned the particular difficulties that women parliamentarians face. To help them overcome obstacles, it was suggested that women MPs form networks across national boundaries to share experience, knowledge and training.
The panel also highlighted the importance of financial independence for parliaments to escape "the tyranny of the executive branch", as well as the crucial role of national constitutions in succinctly defining the powers of the executive andthose of the legislature.
The second discussion, which was led by Mrs. Rebecca Kadaga (Deputy Speaker, Uganda) and Dr. Gopal Siwakoti (President, INHURED International), highlighted the roles of the media and NGOs in helping LDC parliamentarians to properly represent the will of the people. It was stressed that a free and independent media is important in educating the people about the issues that affect them, thus allowing them to become informed and supportive constituents for their representatives in parliament. It was also suggested that governments enhance dialogue with civil society by formally recognizing NGOs and meeting with them regularly.
The third panel dealt with building the capacities of LDC parliamentarians, and was led by Mr. Ezechias Rwabuhihi (MP, Rwanda) and Ms. Luisa Morgantini (MP, European Parliament). During this discussion, the experience of Rwanda was cited as an example of how a working parliament can be built out of the ashes of war. Ms. Morgantini also suggested that the parliaments of developed countries, such as those of the European Union, could help in sharing tools, training and knowledge to fledgling parliaments like that of Rwanda. In addition, it was proposed that developed countries, NGOs and the IPU coordinate and catalogue all knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities in order to promote efficiency and avoid redundancy.
In a speech delivered on 18 September before the High-level United Nations Review Meeting on LDCs, the Honorable Anne Makinda (Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania), speaking on behalf of the IPU, presented the conclusions and recommendations that came out of the parliamentary panel discussion at the United Nations.
