 |
|
Speaker of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Hon. Marcella Liburd (Photo by Erasmus Williams) |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, FEBRUARY 14TH 2006 - The first ever Conference of Speakers of Parliament and Presidents of Senate in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) will be held here on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
Speaker of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, the Hon. Marcella Liburd said the meeting is part of activities to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Signing of the Treaty of Basseterre.
'This Conference is being held under the theme 'The Role of Speakers/Presidents in Promoting Good Governance and Democracy', Liburd told the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister (CUOPM) on Tuesday.
The Opening Ceremony includes the Welcome Remarks by the host Speaker, remarks by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Ministry, the Hon. Conrad Sayers; Secretary General of the Caribbean Parliamentary Association (CPA), Hon. Denis Marshall; Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Sir k. Dwight Venner and the Feature Address by St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas. Deputy Speaker in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Hon. Patrice Nisbett will give the Vote of Thanks.
Ms. Liburd heads the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation which is comprised of Deputy Speaker of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett and President of the Nevis Island Assembly, the Hon. Marjorie Morton.
Following the formal opening ceremony, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) official will make a presentation on 'The Westminster System in the Caribbean.'
Other topics for discussion include, 'The Role of Parliament as Defender of the National Interest,' by Sir K. Dwight Venner; 'The Role of Speakers/Presidents in the Office of the Speaker/President,' by former Speaker of the Montserrat Legislative Council, Sir Howard Fergus and Mr. Marshall; and 'Gender, governance and the Democratic Process,' by Speaker of the Antigua and Barbuda House of Representatives, the Hon. Giselle Isaac-Arrindell.
Delegates will also discuss their conclusions and recommendations and draft a Joint Communiqué which is expected to be signed during a Press Conference early Thursday afternoon.
As part of the two-day meeting, Youth Parliamentarians from St. Kitts and Nevis will participate in a public debater on 'The Speaker's Emoluments (Amendment) Bill, 2006 in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly. The session begins at 11:45 A.M.
Delegates include the Speaker of Anguillas House of Assembly, the Hon. David Carty; President of the Antigua and Barbuda Senate, the Hon. Hazlyn Francis; the Speaker of the Grenada House of Representatives; Deputy Speaker of the Montserrat Legislative Council; Speaker of the St. Lucia House of Assembly, the Hon. J. Baden Allan and the President of the Senate, the Hon. Hilford D.A. Deterville and the Speaker of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon. Hendricks Alexander.
The CARICOM Secretariat is being represented by General Counsel, Dr. Winston Anderson. The Resident British High Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Terry Knight is also expected to attend.
