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2013
Paramaribo, Suriname, May 17, 2013
Closing of the Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians
The Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians, "Women in Power: Recent Changes in the Political Arena", which gathered together more than 50 parliamentarians from 21 countries of North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America, ended this afternoon.
The meeting included working sessions with Jennifer Simons, Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname, and Gisele Isaac-Arrindell, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda (Session 1: Women presidents of national legislatures); Beatriz Ramírez Abella, Director of the National Women’s Institute of Uruguay – INMUJERES (Session 2: Leadership and political participation of women of African descent); Cynthia Barrow Giles, Senior lecturer in Politics at the University of the West Indies, from Saint Lucia (Session 3: The effects of women’s participation in politics); and key-note speaker Maureen Clarke Clarke, Minister of the Status of Women of Costa Rica.
Jennifer Simons, host of the Gathering and Acting President of the Group of Women Parliamentarians, stated that “the discussions are important but when we return to our countries, we have to translate the ideas into action plans and implement the actions we have marked as important for each of our countries.” During her closing remarks she also highlighted that the 10th Plenary Assembly of ParlAmericas will take place in Costa Rica (22-24 August 2013) and urged participants to join the meeting, that under the overarching theme of “Economic Development” will address “Natural resources development” and “Food security”. “I would like to see all of your countries there, because the way we will go about our economic development will prove to be important for the well-being of every group in our societies and in fact ultimately for the very survival of our societies and peoples.”
#2013-11 ENG
Paramaribo, Suriname, May 16, 2013
Opening of the Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians
The Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians began this morning, with the theme of "Women in Power: Recent Changes in the Political Arena." The parliamentary meeting was inaugurated by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname, and Acting President of the Group of Women Parliamentarians, Jennifer Simons, who thanked the participating parliamentarians for coming together to reflect on the role and current situation of women in political life in the countries of the Americas.
Participants were also greeted, via video, by Ecuadorian Member of the National Assembly Linda Machuca, elected President of the Group of Women Parliamentarians, who highlighted that "discussions will surely include the progress made since we [women] became more deeply involved in the political arena, as well as an assessment of women's role as presidents in the various Parliaments, all of which will undoubtedly lead us to identify our major challenges as key political players in our individual countries."
Female and male parliamentarians participating in the event represent countries including Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Suriname, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.
#2013-10 ENG
Paramaribo, Suriname, May 15, 2013
Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians
Tomorrow begins the Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians. This year’s event is taking place in Paramaribo, Suriname, and its main theme is "Women in Power: Recent Changes in the Political Arena." Three working sessions will shape the discussions: Women presidents of national legislatures, Leadership and political participation of women of African descent, and The effects of women’s participation in politics.
#2013-09 ENG
Paramaribo, Suriname, May 14, 2013
The 31st meeting of the Board of Directors of ParlAmericas is taking place today and tomorrow in Paramaribo, Suriname. Parliamentarians from Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay and Suriname are attending the meeting. They are discussing regular governance items, and considering preparations for the 10th Plenary Assembly of the organization (August 2013).
#2013-08 ENG
Ottawa, Canada, March 28, 2013
ParlAmericas Granted Observer Status at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
ParlAmericas was formally granted observer status at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) during the IPU Executive Committee meeting of 20-21 March 2013, at the 128th IPU Assembly, held in Quito, Ecuador. A delegation from ParlAmericas, composed of members of the Board of Directors, attended the meeting.
The IPU is an international organization of world parliaments that works for world-wide parliamentary dialogue, peace and co-operation among peoples, and for the establishment of representative democracy across the globe.
This partnership is a step forward on the shared common agenda of both organizations towards the strengthening of democracy and democratic governance.
#2013-07 ENG
Ottawa, Canada, March 6, 2013
ParlAmericas Sends Condolences to the Government and People of Venezuela
ParlAmericas expresses its condolences to the government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the occasion of the passing of President Hugo Chávez Frías.
#2013-06 ENG
Bogota, Colombia, February 27, 2013
ParlAmericas "Parliaments and Extractive Industries: How to Improve Oversight and Increase Collaboration" workshop concludes
ParlAmericas "Parliaments and Extractive Industries: How to Improve Oversight and Increase Collaboration" workshop in Bogota, Colombia, concluded yesterday after two days of discussions, panel sessions, and smaller working groups.
Parliamentarians were very positive about the exchanges they'd had over the course of the meeting. They made a number of recommendations ranging from parliaments must play a more active role in ensuring transparency at all levels of the extractive industry, to parliaments should seek to strengthen regional and sub-regional integration in order to promote alternative models of economic development.
There was general agreement that the event was enriched through the collaboration of Revenue Watch Institute and the experts from organizations such as the World Bank and CEPAL.
To see the workshop’s photo gallery click here.
To read the workshop's recommendations click here (Spanish).
#2013-05 ENG
Bogota, Colombia, February 25, 2013
Dynamic participation at ParlAmericas "Parliaments and Extractive Industries: How to Improve Oversight and Increase Collaboration" workshop
Parliamentarians from seven Spanish speaking countries in South America attend ParlAmericas latest workshop.
Today’s session of ParlAmericas "Parliaments and Extractive Industries: How to Improve Oversight and Increase Collaboration" workshop in Bogota, Colombia, gathered parliamentarians from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The panels sessions considered parliamentary roles, the right to consultation, and regulations and transparency on existing contracts and future tax regimes.
Tomorrow’s sessions will focus on income distribution from revenues generated through extractive activities, improvements on the current development model, and alternative models of development.
#2013-04 ENG
Bogota, Colombia, February 24, 2013
ParlAmericas holds workshop "Parliaments and Extractive Industries: How to Improve Oversight and Increase Collaboration" in Bogota, Colombia
ParlAmericas is holding a workshop to provide a forum for parliamentarians and experts in the subject matter to discuss the roles and actions of national legislatures with respect to extractive activities. The workshop also aims to increase regional knowledge and best practices with regards to the extractive sector in South America, as well as to consider possibilities of parliamentary cooperation. The event starts tomorrow, Monday February 25, 2013, at 8:30 (14:00 GMT).
Please, consult the meeting agenda here (Spanish).
#2013-03 ENG
Medellin, Colombia, February 21, 2013
The 30th meeting of the Board of Directors of ParlAmericas is taking place today and tomorrow in Medellin, Colombia. Parliamentarians from Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Suriname are attending the meeting. They are discussing regular governance items, and considering preparations for the Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians (Suriname, May 2013) and the 10th Plenary Assembly of the organization (August 2013).
#2013-02 ENG
Ottawa, Canada, January 29, 2013
ParlAmericas expresses condolences to Brazil for deaths in nightclub blaze
ParlAmericas expresses its condolences for the loss of life that took place in a nightclub in Santa Maria, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, on Saturday January 26th.
#2013-01 ENG