CDI Assists Timor-Leste Parliament with Training
On November 15-16 in Dili, CDI conducted a training workshop for Committee A of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, which is charged with oversight of the nation's Constitutional Affairs, Justice, Public Administration, Local Government and Government Legislation. This workshop focused on collecting evidence through public hearing, and is the first specialised training of this type to be provided to Timorese parliamentarians.
CDI Deputy Director, Mr Quinton Clements, convened the workshop. He was assisted by Mr Warren Cahill, Project Manager, Parliamentary Strengthening Project, National Parliament of Solomon Islands, and Mr Jude Devesi, Committee Secretariat, National Parliament of Solomon Islands.
The aim of the workshop was to assist Committee A in undertaking its program of election law review and revision starting with the Law on the Election of Suco Chiefs and Councils. The 12 Members of Committee A gained a greater appreciation of the value of parliamentary committees as a means of 'taking Parliament to the people', thus enabling Members to be better informed about community views; of providing a bridge between Members' constituents' concerns and the broader community interest; of promoting public debate; and of scrutinising the Executive and contributing towards better government through a more informed administration and policy making process.
The workshop sessions were designed to be interactive. The program provided the Members and staff with background on parliamentary committees and the process of conducting committee inquiries. The benefits of inquiries, such as involving the public/constituents in the work of Parliament, were highlighted. Mr Devesi's presentation on the role and work of committees in the National Parliament of Solomon Islands was of particular interest to participants. They were also introduced to good practice in holding public hearings by examining issues to do with effective committee membership, the role of the secretariat and procedure. There was considerable discussion on such procedural issues as using an oath or affirmation, protection of witnesses and contempt, the power of the Committee to compel a person/ organisation to give evidence, and open hearings and in-camera sessions.
Immediately following the workshop, CDI supported Committee A's first public hearing on Saturday 17 November 2007. This hearing, into the draft Private Lawyers Bill referred to Committee A by the Plenary, was again a first for the Timor-Leste Parliament. Drawing on the lessons of the workshop, Committee A was able to conduct a structured and focused public hearing. Witnesses were encouraged to provide written submissions prior to the hearing and to give short opening statements. Members were then able to ask targeted questions and address the key issues of the Bill. Particular attention was paid to recording the hearing and establishing a record management system that would assist the Committee in considering its findings and drafting the final report to the plenary. Again, this was another first for the Timor-Leste Parliament.
CDI conducted this workshop in conjunction with the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), which is currently assisting Committee A in its work. The Committee Office, Department of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Australia, through the Parliamentary Relations Office, also assisted CDI by providing a range of training aids and materials, including video footage of Australian parliamentary committees at work.
The complete report from this training workshop will be available below on this web page in the near future, and in early 2008 CDI will organise a further training workshop on committee work for all Members of the National Parliament in Dili.
