Our Q&A with Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila from Zambia explores his previous experience and what his top priorities are in his new role with the CPA.
Knowledge Centre
CPA Blogs
Looking ahead to CHOGM 2024 in Samoa
This blog series looks at the opportunities for Commonwealth dialogue and the wider debates and challenges with articles by the Prime Minister of Samoa, the UK Minister for the Commonwealth, the CPA Secretary-General and more.
Fostering international collaboration and understanding amongst the Commonwealth’s future leaders
This September, the 12th Commonwealth Youth Parliament took place in New Zealand. In this blog, two of its participants outline their experiences of the event.
Improving access to civics education - Queensland hosts Australia’s First Deaf Youth Parliament
This September, the Queensland Parliament hosted Australia's first mock Parliament for Deaf Youth from across the region.
How the Seychelles National Assembly is promoting inclusivity for hearing-impaired people
The Seychelles National Assembly, with the support of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities Network, have demonstrated how to create a sustainable plan for an inclusive Legislature - by directly involving members of the hearing-impaired community.
The next Commonwealth Secretary-General?
At the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa in October 2024, the Commonwealth Leaders will appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. In this CPA blog series, we hear from the three candidates about their aspirations for the future of the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Parliaments are playing a central part in the global drive to provide children with a healthy meal at school every day
The International Parliamentary Network for Education recently published its toolkit for Parliamentarians on campaigning for school meals for all children.
Connecting Disability Rights and Accessibility in South Africa and the UK
This blog represents a tiny thread in a story of disability rights that connects South Africa to the United Kingdom. It is part of a far more important tapestry connecting South Africa and the United Kingdom, and the family of Commonwealth countries.
Constitutional reforms promoting equality and human rights in the Commonwealth: A view from the Caribbean
To mark this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, the Barbados LGBTQ+ Coalition writes about the proposed constitutional reforms taking place in Barbados and the wider Caribbean to increase equality for all.
75th anniversary of the ‘modern’ Commonwealth
This blog series reflects on the historical and modern role of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as the 'modern' Commonwealth marks its 75th anniversary.
What is the impact of the separation of powers between the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary on democracy today?
As we mark 20 years of the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles, this series of articles examines the ‘Power of Parliaments’ and the impact of the separation of powers.
What is synthetic disinformation and how does it threaten democracies?
This article explains the key features of synthetic disinformation and outlines their consequences for democracies.
Seeing is believing: Liesl Tesch, Australia's CPwD Regional Champion, on the power of disability outreach work
Liesl Tesch, MP (New South Wales, Australia) reflects on her experience at the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Accra, Ghana, and the role of disability champions in Parliament.
How to host a disability outreach event: the Scottish Parliament’s inaugural Disability Summit
Jeremy Balfour, MSP shares his experience of convening the Scottish Parliament's first ever Disability Summit and offers lessons for other Parliaments looking to host a successful disability outreach event.
Education in crisis: the global learning poverty problem
Betty Abeng outlines the value of reading as a gateway for learning, the global learning poverty crisis and the need to invest in teachers to improve learning outcomes across the Commonwealth.
Innovations in Climate Change Acts: Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria in focus
This article examines key governance functions of climate change framework laws using case studies from Climate Change Acts passed by Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. It was written by academics at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics (LSE).
Empowering the next generation
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association launches a new education blog to mark the International Day of Democracy 2023 theme of ‘Empowering the next generation’ featuring articles from global experts at the Commonwealth Foundation, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Commonwealth of Learning, the Parliament of Malaysia and the Young Foundation.
Realities of disaster resilience: stories from the Commonwealth
What does resilience really mean when disaster strikes? These stories explore how communities in Tonga, Cayman Islands and Isle of Man responded during disasters.
Eight people powering Parliaments
To mark International Day of Parliamentarism (World Parliament Day) 2023, this CPA blog examines some of the ancient and modern roles in Commonwealth Parliaments.
Meet the Commonwealth's youngest Speakers
To mark the Commonwealth Year of Youth, we are highlighting some of the young leaders who are currently the youngest Speakers and Presiding Officers in the Commonwealth’s Parliaments and Legislatures.
Equality and human rights in the Commonwealth
To mark this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, a Commonwealth Parliamentarian from Canada shares his experience.
Why your Parliament should conduct an accessibility audit
Lessons learnt from the Isle of Man
Members and parliamentary staff discuss the Isle of Man’s journey towards a more accessible Parliament and the support provided by the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network.
The King and Commonwealth Parliaments
As the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III takes place, this blog article looks at his relationship with the Commonwealth and his many visits to Commonwealth Parliaments over the years.
Examining Commonwealth Parliaments’ clock towers
As the chimes of Big Ben ring out once again at the UK Parliament after falling silent during the restoration of the Elizabeth Tower for almost five years, this blog article examines this iconic clock tower and some of the many different clock towers in Parliaments around the Commonwealth.
How to start a women's parliamentary caucus in 5 stages
This article outlines five key steps to follow in order to establish a successful women’s parliamentary caucus. It is adapted from the content of the 'Effective Women's Parliamentary Caucuses' course on the CPA Parliamentary Academy.
Mapping and connecting Parliamentary Research Services around the world
Research evidence has an important role to play in the work of Parliaments as they scrutinise, debate and pass legislation.
This blog highlights a new online resource that provides a global map of parliamentary research services - some well-known and others that are new - that will be of use to the wider parliamentary and academic communities.
5 things I wish someone told me when I was first elected to Parliament
By one of Australia’s longest-serving MPs
Hon. Kevin Andrews, an MP in the Australian House of Representatives from 1991-2022, gives five pieces of advice for new Members of Parliament.
75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its impact on the Commonwealth
Every year on 10 December, the world celebrates UN Human Rights Day, this year marking the 75th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
To mark the day, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has launched a series of blog posts sharing different perspectives on human rights in the Commonwealth and highlighting the 2022 theme of ‘Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All’.
Q & A: Grenada Women's Parliamentary Caucus
Glynis Roberts, Vice-President of the Grenada Women's Parliamentary Caucus, offers an insight the history, vision, and activities of the Caucus.
From COP26 to COP27: A review of climate legislation in 2022
Australia, The Bahamas, India and Nigeria have all made legislative progress on climate change since COP26. Using data from the Climate Change Laws of the World database, this article assesses the impact of these developments in domestic climate legislation.
The role of trade union movements in democracy: A Commonwealth history
Owen Tudor, convenor of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group, explores the relationship between trade unions and parliamentary democracy.
Q&A: Climate Change, Democracy and Parliaments
Members of Parliament from Barbados, Belize and Seychelles reflect on what they can do to keep climate commitments at the forefront of government agendas and key takeaways from the 'Empowering Climate Democracy' workshop co-hosted by CPA Small Branches and UNDP.
The CPA Secretary-General at CHOGM 2022
The CPA Secretary-General reflects on his time at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda from 20 - 25 June 2022.
Marking the Platinum Jubilee of the CPA Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
This blog article looks at her role as the Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and also delves into the CPA archives to reveal how the Association marked the Coronation in 1953.
An Appreciation of International Humanitarian Law
Looking ahead to the UN's International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, this blog post introduces the updated International Humanitarian Law handbook and the vital role IHL plays in the minimising of human suffering.
Seychelles: A Parliament for the Planet
Find out how the National Assembly of Seychelles took action on climate change and transformed its approach to sustainability
9 Journals providing international research on Commonwealth Parliaments
Find out what you should be reading for the latest analysis and research from around the world - essential reading for MPs and parliamentary staff.
Virtual CPC Workshops: Resources for MPs
Use the lessons from our Virtual CPC Workshops to take action in your Parliament with these resources on disability rights, diversity, federalism and counter-terrorism.
Our Winners: The CPA Youth Creativity Competition
Find out more about the winning entries from the CPA Youth Creativity Competition 2021.
Q&A: The CPA Working Group on Human Rights
Find out everything you need to know about the CPA Working Group on Human Rights from its Chairperson, Hon. Akierra Missick (Turks & Caicos Islands)
The CPA and the Belize Women's Parliamentary Caucus
Hon. Tracy Ann Panton, a Member of the Belize House of Representatives, reflects on the CPA's Women Parliamentarians' Roundtable and Public Engagement Dialogue with the National Assembly of Belize
Climate change challenges for the Commonwealth
As the COP26 conference takes place, the CPA launches a series of blog posts taking a look at the climate change challenges facing the Commonwealth and the role of Parliamentarians.
How can Commonwealth Parliaments become more diverse workplaces for their staff?
A member of parliamentary staff at the UK Parliament writes for the CPA blog about how the introduction of Workplace Equality Networks (WENs) has helped to create a diverse and inclusive workplace for all.
How the pandemic changed Commonwealth democracies
On International Day of Democracy, the CPA has published a series of blogs taking a look at the ways in which, as a result of the pandemic, ‘democracy looks different' in 2021. Topics include online voting, elections and livestreaming, with case studies from across the Commonwealth.
The game-changing women leading human rights movements around the Commonwealth
On International Day of Democracy, the CPA invites Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and Kaleidoscope Trust (KT) to tell us more about the Commonwealth Equality Project and share examples of women who are making a difference and leading human rights movements around the Commonwealth.
12 resources for Parliamentarians about the future of technology
Find articles, reports, videos and more to help Parliamentarians respond to the 4th Industrial Revolution
Equality for all in the Commonwealth
To mark this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Commonwealth Parliamentarians from Australia (Federal, South Australia and New South Wales), New Zealand and Canada share their experiences.
Weapons of Mace Democracy
Is a mace an appropriate symbol for Parliament's authority in the 21st century?
Please note: The views and opinions expressed in these blog posts are not the responsibility of the CPA Headquarters Secretariat and should not be attributed to any Parliament or Parliamentarian.
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