Second Lifaka Lecture highlights role for Commonwealth Parliamentarians in promoting and protecting human rights at 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in New South Wales
The second CPA Emilia Monjowa Lifaka Lecture has highlighted the key role of Commonwealth Parliamentarians in protecting and promoting human rights. The 2nd Lifaka Lecture took place in the margins of the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in New South Wales and was attended by delegates and the diplomatic community in Sydney.
This year’s keynote address was given by renowned guest speaker, Hon. Michael Kirby, AC CMG.
An international jurist, educator and former judge from Australia, Michael Kirby has undertaken many international activities for the United Nations, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Global Fund Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
He was also a member of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group who examined the future of the organisation in 2011/12. Find out more about his career.
- Ahead of the Lifaka Lecture, we spoke to Hon. Michael Kirby about the importance of the Commonwealth and the challenges for human rights that we face. Watch below or click here to view on the CPA's YouTube channel.
The topic for this year’s Lifaka Lecture is the complex relationship between human rights and governance within the Commonwealth, emphasising the critical role of Parliamentarians in upholding, promoting and protecting these rights.
The Lecture examined the key human rights issues affecting Commonwealth jurisdictions such as:
- Freedom of speech and expression: Challenges related to press freedom and civic space in different political contexts.
- Gender equality and women's rights: Efforts to combat gender-based violence, discrimination and improving access to education and healthcare for women and girls.
- The rights of marginalised groups: a focus on indigenous populations, LGBT+ communities, and other groups, particularly in regions where their rights are restricted or unrecognised.
- Access to justice and the Rule of Law: the importance of fair legal systems and the protection of citizens from abuses of power and corruption.
The Lecture also examined the Commonwealth Charter, adopted in 2013, which outlines the shared values and commitments of its Members, including the promotion of human rights, democracy and good governance.
Parliamentarians hold a unique position as both legislators and representatives of the people, giving them the power to shape policies, pass laws and hold governments accountable for human rights violations.
The reply to this year's Lifaka Lecture was given by Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, MPL, the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and the Q&A was chaired by Hon. John Ajaka, a former President of the New South Wales Legislative Council and former CPA Vice-Chairperson.
Above: This year's Lifaka Lecture was given by renowned guest speaker, Hon. Michael Kirby, AC CMG (left) with the reply given by Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, MPL, the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature (centre) and the Q&A chaired by Hon. John Ajaka (right). Click here for more 67th CPC images.
The CPA Lifaka Lecture was established in 2023 in memory of Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, the late Chairperson of the CPA International Executive Committee and Deputy Speaker of Cameroon.
Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka was a passionate champion of the CPA and served as CPA Chairperson from November 2017 until her untimely death in April 2021. The CPA Lifaka Lecture is intended to provide a fitting tribute to her work.
One of the largest gatherings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians, the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference brought together over 700 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth for this unique conference and networking opportunity.
The 67th CPC was the first time that the CPA New South Wales Branch hosted the event and the first time that an Australian State or Territory hosted the CPA annual conference.
During the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, there were also a number of additional conferences and meetings including: 40th CPA Small Branches Conference; 8th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference; meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network; the CPA General Assembly and meetings of the CPA Executive Committee; and the 58th Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings.
During the conference, a number of elections also took place for the Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee, the CPA Small Branches Chairperson and the CPA Vice-Chairperson.
-ENDS-
Further information about the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) can be found at the official conference website and also at the 67th CPC Hub.
On social media follow the hashtag #67CPC
Images of the 67th CPC are also available at the CPA's Flickr page.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) organises its annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) to address global political issues and developments in the parliamentary system through conference workshops and sessions for leading Parliamentarians representing Parliaments and Legislatures throughout the Commonwealth.
The CPA is an international community of almost 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.
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