Commonwealth Secretary-General Urges Parliamentarians To Cultivate Global Outlook
9 September 2004
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| Mr McKinnon encouraged the setting up of committees within parliaments to scrutinise legislation and examine government accounts. |
Speaking at the 50th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Quebec City, Canada, on 4 September 2004, Mr McKinnon said: "Most people become members of parliament for domestic political reasons, but foreign relations issues such as multilateral and bilateral agreements and the Doha Development Round have more impact on countries and people's lives than many local issues."
More than 500 members of parliament and legislature are attending the conference on the 'Responsibilities and Rights of People and Parliaments in a Global Community' from 1 to 9 September. It is organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Quebec City and Toronto.
The Secretary-General asked delegates: "Do your foreign affairs committees function as they should? Are you truly free to investigate these major issues, or do you simply receive information from the Government?
"Are your committees able to talk to the heads of the World Trade Organisation, the UN, the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund about your country's problems and needs? As representatives of the people, do you have the same information as your government officials and ministers?"
He said it is "increasingly important not just to understand international affairs generally but, specifically, to understand the way in which those institutions work and the implications of the decisions they make."
Mr McKinnon stated: "Gone are the days when the Executive could take total and selfish ownership of these issues; this is your country, these are your challenges and global institutions are there for you."
The Secretary-General also spoke on deepening democracy throughout the Commonwealth. He emphasised the importance of balanced media coverage during and outside of elections; the need to renew political parties in many Commonwealth countries; and the importance of civil society involvement in building democracy.
Mr McKinnon encouraged the setting up of committees within parliaments to scrutinise legislation and examine government accounts. He also called for equal representation of women and urged that there be a clear distinction in all Commonwealth countries between the government and the ruling party. He said ruling parties should not unfairly exploit the advantages of incumbency for their own benefit.
The meeting brings together Commonwealth parliamentarians and officials from international bodies such as the Commonwealth Secretariat, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Also represented are the Caribbean Community and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Mr McKinnon's speech is available here
CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 200 8 September 2004
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