The Stable and Effective Parliamentary Governance Forum was convened in the Parliamentary Chamber in Vanuatu on the 19-20 May 2005.  Initiated by the Speaker of Parliament, Sam Dan Avock, and the Clerk of Parliament, Lyno Bulekuli dit Saksak, and supported by the Centre for Democratic Institutions (CDI) at the Australian National University. The workshop brought together some 60 participants for two days of training and discussion on the major issues related to parliamentary governance in Vanuatu. Of this number, 30 were members of parliament, the remaining were constituted from the ranks of political staff, the public service, civil society and the Malvatumauri (National Council of Chiefs). This is the first time that CDI's training in parliamentary procedures has been offered to other stakeholders in good governance, and uniformly the response was positive.

During discussion, members outlined the challenges they faced in the prosecution of their duties as elected members of parliament. Participants agreed that the cost of government changes, floor-crossings and party splits has become too expensive to sustain for the country. It has undermined parliamentary functioning and the people of Vanuatu are suffering as a result. The issue of political reform, either through statutory or constitutional amendment was raised. Although there was no agreement as to exactly what kind of reform is needed, participants gave unanimous support to initiating the process of investigating the principles, options and precedents available in the Pacific, and more widely. At the conclusion of the workshop, members issued a joint communiqué on the challenges faced by members of parliament, particularly relating to political instability, and on avenues for encouraging stable and effective parliamentary governance.

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	Vanuatu Press coverage - The Independent
	Vanuatu Press coverage - Vanuatu Daily Post