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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Pacific leaders meet for Commonwealth democracy Roundtable

14 August 2002

"Democracy in the South Pacific has faced serious challenges in recent times. The Commonwealth Roundtable on Challenges of Democracy in the Pacific is being held to promote frank and informal discussions among leaders and parliamentarians of Commonwealth Pacific Island countries, on how to strengthen democratic processes and institutions in these countries," Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said today.

Heads of Government and Members of Parliament of eleven Pacific Island countries, as well as the Secretary-General, will attend the Roundtable, which takes place in Nadi, Fiji Islands, on 15-20 August 2002.

Mr McKinnon, who arrived in Nadi on Tuesday 13 August, said, "The meeting will address important aspects of governance and democracy in these countries. The debate will be wide-ranging, enabling the identification not only of specific issues but also of the way forward in taking action to address those issues."

The Roundtable, organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and hosted by the Government of Fiji Islands, will consist of a Preparatory Meeting on 15-16 August, attended by members of parliament from both the ruling and Opposition parties in participating countries, and a Heads of Government Retreat on 19-20 August. The outcomes of the Preparatory Meeting will be presented to the Heads of Government for consideration at their Retreat.

"The Roundtable is part of the Commonwealth's ongoing programme of activities to support democracy and strengthen democratic institutions in member countries. It reflects the need to ensure that such institutions are appropriate to the specific national circumstances and regional characteristics of member countries, particularly small island states," Mr McKinnon added.
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