BY CHRIS ALEX

Parliament officially launched its professional development programme for Members of Parliament (MPs) on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at the Heritage Park Hotel.

This initiative is designed to enhance MPs’ understanding of the parliamentary committee system and aims to improve the legislative capacity of the country.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Wilson Orisi, Director of the Parliamentary Committees Secretariat.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening parliamentary practices in the face of an ever-evolving political landscape.

Orisi said such programmes are crucial for building a more informed and effective legislative body.

Key attendees were; Speaker of the National Parliament, Patteson Oti, Clerk to the National Parliament, Jefferson Hallu, UNDP Programme Specialist, Solomon Kalu, and Acting New Zealand High Commissioner, Rebecca Williams, all of whom shared their support for the initiative.

A standout feature of the event was participation of senior officials from the Parliament of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, who offered valuable insights from their experiences with a well-established parliamentary committee system.

Their contributions highlighted the significance of regional cooperation and the importance of peer learning in the development of democratic institutions across the Pacific region.

The first day of the three-day programme featured four interactive sessions that provided MPs with a comprehensive overview of the committee system.

The topics covered included:

-Overview of Parliamentary Committee Systems in the Solomon Islands and New South Wales

-Roles of Chairs, Secretaries, Members, and Staff

-Conducting Effective Inquiries

-Common Challenges Faced by Committees in Both Regions

The programme aims to improve MPs’ understanding of the vital role committees play in legislative scrutiny, oversight, and policy review. Through case studies, workshops, and peer discussions, MPs will gain practical knowledge and learn about best practices in fostering transparency and accountability within government operations.

Orisi said the initiative will empower MPs to engage more substantively with complex policy issues, ultimately fostering a responsive and informed legislative body.

“This programme reflects our growing recognition of the need to strengthen our institutional capacity to meet the challenges of governance,” he said.

The professional development programme, part of a broader initiative supported by international partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the New Zealand Government aims to build institutional capacity within Pacific parliaments.

The program’s long-term impact is expected to strengthen parliamentary practices and contribute to more robust democratic processes in the region.

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