The Houses of Parliament Outreach Service, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, is holding a series of exciting events to coincide with the 2011 Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
The Conference, marking the centennial year of the CPA, will take place from 21 to 28 July and will be attended by more than 500 parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth who will exchange views and share ideas.
Each year the Conference examines and discusses different themes. The theme of this year’s conference is Reinforcing Democracy. Workshops will be held on a number of different subjects including Youth Leadership, Women as Agents of Change and Citizen Involvement. The Commonwealth Youth Parliament, which will be held in September in the House of Lords Chamber, will debate Climate Change.
There are unique opportunities to get involved in both the Conference and the Youth Parliament.
Cultural Ambassadors at the Conference
Cultural Ambassadors will represent their country and community in the Opening Ceremony. Ambassadors will:
- take part in the Opening Ceremony on Monday 25 July in historic Westminster Hall
- take part in Democracy Day events
- have a free tour of Parliament
Applications to be a Cultural Ambassador are now closed.
Youth Parliament opportunities
We are now taking applications for young people to get involved in the Commonwealth Youth Parliament on Friday 9 September 2011. If you decide to take part you will:
- meet other young people from the UK and across the Commonwealth
- have a free tour of Parliament
- sit in the House of Lords Chamber and join the debate on climate change
Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference events in your area
To coincide with CPC 2011, the Parliamentary Outreach team are holding a variety of events for Commonwealth communities in your area.
At these events you can:
- discover how Parliament works
- find out how to make your voice heard at Parliament
- learn about the Commonwealth and its modern relevance to you
- have your say in discussions on the themes of the Conference
- record your group’s views to report back to the Conference
- establish links with relevant networks
The Parliamentary Outreach by region pages details the forthcoming events being held as part of the CPC, which include:
In partnership with the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK, events to show small and medium-sized business owners and caterers in the South Asian restaurant industry how to engage with the processes of democracy and get their voice heard.
- 24 May - Edinburgh
Thistle Lounge, Meadowbank Stadium, 1pm to 5pm.
- 6 June - London
Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS, 1.30pm to 4pm.
- 20 June – Birmingham
BVSC, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DR, 1.30pm to 4pm.
In partnership with Muslim Women’s Network, a workshop for Muslim women and groups across the UK, explaining the work of Parliament and how to get involved.
- 24 May - Birmingham
BVSC, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DR, 1.30pm to 5pm.
Other events include:
- 28 July - Leeds
Workshop on the role of Parliament and how to engage locally and nationally for Leeds Migration Partnership.
- 13 September - Accrington
Workshop about Parliament and how to get involved, held in partnership with Lancashire Minority Ethnic Women’s Network.
Image: CPA