Thursday, December 16, 2010

Norfolk Women's Forum a success. Commonwealth Parliamentary Association acknowledges Norfolk Island

The 4th Norfolk Women’s Forum (NWF) which was held last Sunday evening at Governor’s Lodge was well attended by women from our community; and those gentlemen who joined the gathering were also warmly welcomed. Our congratulations to the Forum organisers for a very professionally conducted event. The 20 plus women who spoke covered a broad range of issues of community concern and it is understood that the Forum will be bringing those concerns to the attention of government in order for solutions to be achieved or worked on.

I found it both interesting and synchronistic to have a communication crossed my desk this week from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Headquarters (CPA) in London advising of the observance of Commonwealth Day on 14 March 2011; and to note that the theme for 2011 is “Women as Agents of Change”!

As part of the observance of Commonwealth Day in London, the CPA offers the opportunity for CPA Branches to nominate up to two young people, ideally one male, one female, to attend the Commonwealth Day Celebrations held there. The age group for nominees is 18 to 25 who must have shown an interest in commonwealth and parliamentary affairs, displayed potential leadership qualities and already have planned to be in London on Commonwealth Day. Over the years quite a few of our Norfolk youth have attended the celebrations in London – Martin and Melissa Snell, Joel and Samantha Quintal and Raylene Nobbs are just some who come to mind. Others have attended CPA hosted Youth Parliaments in London and Kelly Muir was one of those attendees.

Norfolk Island is held in very high esteem by this international organisation and just this week I see in Issue three of The Parliamentarian photo of Secretary General of the CPA, Dr William Shija, shaking hands with Deputy Speaker Lisle Snell at the Nairobi Conference held in September this year. The Parliamentarian is the Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth and the photo is published in “The Secretary-General’s Commonwealth Gallery”

If you are aware of young Norfolk people who may meet the above requirements please contact the Clerk, Mrs Gaye Evans JP, on 22003 or email clerk@assembly.gov.nf before Friday 7 January 2011.

Well this is the last issue for 2010 of Your Parliament Your Voice. May the festive season be special for you and your families; and may we work in harmony towards taking our beautiful Island into a prosperous place to live in, in 2011 and beyond.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 16 December 2010

No comments:

Post a Comment