CDI Develops Links with Aust and NZ International Election Monitors Institute
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^ (l to r) Mr Murray Smith, Dr Tony Lamb, Hon Kevin Rozzoli, Ms Elizabeth Harvey-Truman and Dr Stephen Sherlock. |
In November 2011, CDI Director Dr Stephen Sherlock and Deputy Director Grant Harrison, were pleased to host a visit to CDI by leading members of the newly-founded Australian and New Zealand International Election Monitors Institute (ANZIEMI). ANZIEMI was formed in May 2011 by a group of former members of Australian and New Zealand parliaments. The Institute’s objectives are to provide former Australian and NZ MPs to participate in international election monitoring missions and to engage in other democracy-strengthening activities such as guidance and training to parliamentarians in emerging democracies.
The Institute’s delegation to CDI was led by its President, former member of the NZ Parliament, Mr Murray Smith, and included Dr Tony Lamb and Ms Elizabeth Harvey-Truman, both former Australian MPs. The meeting was also joined by CDI Associate, Hon Kevin Rozzoli, himself a very experienced former MP and parliamentary Speaker. Dr Sherlock welcomed the formation of ANZIEMI because the Institute has the potential to tap into the vast resources of know-how and experience of former parliamentarians and to mobilise this expertise in support of new members of parliament in our region. CDI programs can be greatly enriched by input from former parliamentarians and ANZIEMI can provide a systematic way to make contact with ex-MPs who are interested in working with parliaments and other democratic institutions in emerging democracies. ANZIEMI is in the process of expanding its networks of former parliamentarians. Mr Smith made the point that there was an obvious match between the objectives of the Institute and CDI programs and expressed his enthusiasm with the idea of linking up the resources of the two organisations.
