For Immediate Release
New communications technologies to
strengthen democracy
London, 14 October 2011 – Two Commonwealth
agencies, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Commonwealth
Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), have entered into a partnership to
explore avenues of co-operation to improve governance and empower people
through enhanced use of information and communications technologies (ICTs).
The two agencies acknowledge that ICTs are a
key tool not only in development but also to promote democracy and empower
people. While Parliamentarians play a crucial role in facilitating the
promotion and use of ICTs for development, through policy, legislation, and regulation,
the very same ICTs open new vistas for citizens to engage in governance.
Primarily a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
will facilitate collaboration between the CPA and CTO to build the capacity of
Parliamentarians in the adoption and use of ICTs for development and for the
promotion of democracy. The MoU also paves the way for information exchange,
including mutual access to the web environments of each party, sharing
publications,
participating in and promoting each others’
conferences and holding joint events and capacity building programmes in the
future.
Dr William F. Shija, Secretary-General of the
CPA, said: “Many Parliamentarians already use web-based and mobile technologies
to help them scrutinize governments and establish interactive dialogues with
constituents. But many more lack full access to the new forms of communications
which are today recognized as one of the Benchmarks of good governance. All
Parliamentarians also need the best possible advice on how to regulate this rapidly
advancing area and apply it effectively to development issues and the deepening
of the Commonwealth’s commitment to democracy. This agreement will help
Parliamentarians throughout the Commonwealth to be better representatives of
the people.”
“The Internet and social media have increased
and strengthened the channels of communication between various branches of
Government and the citizens,” says Professor Tim Unwin, CEO of CTO. “I believe
this MoU between two lead Commonwealth agencies, one for legislators and the
other for ICTs, will pave the way for utilising ICTs to improve accountability,
enhance transparency and strengthen democracy across the Commonwealth and
contribute to achieving one of the core Commonwealth missions: empowering
people in governance.”
For more information, please contact:
At CPA: At CTO:
Dr William F. Shija Lasantha Alwis
Secretary-General Senior Manager, Programmes
Tel: +44 20 7799 1460 Tel: +44 20 8600 3814
hq.sec@cpahq.org l.dealwis@cto.int
http://www.cpahq.org http://www.cto.int
About
the CPA
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
(CPA) is an association of 185 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures. Its
mandate is to promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by enhancing
knowledge and understanding of democratic governance among Members and
officials of Parliaments. It informs the parliamentary community about the Commonwealth’s
democratic commitment and furthers co-operation among its Parliaments and
Legislatures.
The CPA’s priorities include the expansion of
participation of women in the democratic process and promoting the involvement
of young people in representative government. The CPA Benchmarks for Democratic
Legislatures are being used around the world to help Parliaments assess their
procedures and processes to identify areas for reform to improve democratic governance.
About the CTO
With a history dating back to 1901, the
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is an international
development partnership between the Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth
governments, businesses and civil society organisations. Through research and studies,
advisory and consultancy services, capacity building and training and events on
topical issues, the CTO helps to bridge the digital divide and achieve social
and economic development, by delivering a range of unique
knowledge-sharing programmes in the use of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs).
From its headquarters in London
and with members based in Europe, the Caribbean, Americas ,
Africa and Asia-Pacific regions, the CTO has
been at the centre of continuous and extensive international communications
development funding, co-operation and assistance programmes. The CTO’s mission
is to promote wealth in developing countries through the more efficient utilization
of ICTs, and its development agenda reflects the priorities set in the United
Nations
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
END
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