CDI Visit to Vanuatu

CDI Deputy Director, Quinton Clements, visited Vanuatu from 7 to 10 November 2006. The primary purpose of Mr Clements' visit was to discuss the postponement of the CDI training workshop for Members of Parliament on 'Committees & Constituency Relations' originally scheduled to take place from 9 to 10 November this year, and examine rescheduling the workshop for early 2007. Accompanied by CDI program manager, Ms Daniela Capaccio, Mr Clements met with the Speaker, the Hon. San Dan Avock MP, the Clerk of Parliament, Mr Lino Bulekuli dit Sacsac, and Assistant Clerk, Mr Leon Teter. It was agreed that the workshop would be held in March 2007 in Port Vila. The dates will be confirmed once the parliamentary sitting days in March 2007, and the dates of other meetings such as the National Summit, are announced.

On this visit, Mr Clements and Ms Capaccio also met with and briefed the two Members of Parliament, Hon. Philip Boedoro and Hon. Steven Kalsakau, nominated to attend the 8th annual CDI Pacific Parliamentary Dialogue in Samoa from 11-14 December 2006. Mr Clements also met with a range of others and held discussions on CDI activities such as the Responsible Parliamentary Government and Political Party Development courses. Ms Capaccio held meetings with the President of the National Council of Women, Jenny Ligo and political parties, including the Vanuaáku Pati Women's Wing President, Maryline Arnhambat Abel, on work in assisting women to be more involved in the political process.

	8th CDI Pacific parliamentary Dialogue
	Improving Women's Representation in the Pacific