Legislative and Committee Training Workshop for Parliamentary Clerks and Officials in Malawi

From 31 October to 2 November 2018, CPA UK in partnership with the Parliament of Malawi conducted a three-day training workshop for parliamentary staff and officials in Malawi. The programme was part of the Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy project funded by the UK Government.  

The workshop forms part of a two-year project that aims to build the capacity of the Parliament of Malawi, as the country goes through a period of transition. The first phase of the project is focused on equipping parliamentary clerks and staff with the necessary skills and best practices to enable them to effectively discharge their legislative and committee functions.  

During the three-day training, participants took part in a range of plenary sessions and interactive discussions targeted at strengthening their technical skills and increasing their confidence to deliver their parliamentary responsibilities efficiently. The sessions covered a range of themes including legislative scrutiny, managing committee business, election planning, research and evidence-based policy making, and managing relationships with Members and external stakeholders. Participants expressed keen interest in learning more about committee inquiries and orienting new Members.

At the end of the workshop, participants were asked to map a trajectory going forward, identifying specific changes and actions that they will undertake in the run up to the expected elections in 2019. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the programme, stating that the workshop has encouraged them to think more openly and positively, as well as introduced them to new techniques that can help them deliver their mandate more effectively.  

CPA UK is confident that participants will work on implementing the knowledge and skills they learnt, paving the way for a more inclusive, effective, and accountable Parliament.  

CPA UK looks forward to further strengthening its relationship with the Parliament of Malawi.  Following the elections next year, the team will work on the second phase of the programme which will provide support to new members of Parliament through a comprehensive induction programme, with particular emphasis on women and young parliamentarians. 

Read full report here. For more information about CPA UK's work in Malawi, please click here.