Home Highlights 2025 ParlAmericas participates in CPA UK Programme on the important functions of clerks in Caribbean parliaments

ParlAmericas participates in CPA UK Programme on the important functions of clerks in Caribbean parliaments

February 13, 2025 | Activities

Photo Credit: The Office of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.

As democracy adapts to new challenges, accountable and effective legislatures—and the professionals who support them—are more essential than ever. Parliamentary clerks and staff are the backbone of these institutions, ensuring smooth operations and processes.

The critical functions of parliamentary staff were the focus of this week’s 2025 Caribbean Clerks Programme, hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK) and the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, in Port of Spain

ParlAmericas representatives were pleased to take part in this event, which began on February 11 and provided a platform for enriching exchanges among parliamentary clerks and staff on good practices and tools for navigating the evolving demands of modern parliaments. It brought together more than 30 delegates from 17 legislatures in the Caribbean region, who unpacked issues related to procedural challenges, AI’s integration in parliamentary work, and orientations for incoming parliamentarians, among other topics.

ParlAmericas Vice-President, the Honourable Bridgid Annisette-George, provided remarks at the event’s welcome lunch. Sharing reflections from her perspective as Speaker of the House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, she reflected on the important role played by parliamentary staff, as well as the productive partnership between ParlAmericas and CPA UK in strengthening legislative institutions.

Chrisette Benjamin, ParlAmericas Gender Equality Programme Officer, moderated a discussion on civic engagement and public outreach, which explored how parliaments communicate their work and how citizens can participate in legislative processes. The conversation, featuring Andrew Augustine, the Clerk of Grenada’s Houses of Parliament; Mauriel Knight, Deputy Clerk of the Saint Kitts and Nevis National Assembly; and Zenia Barnes, Administrative Secretary of the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, examined initiatives to involve underrepresented groups and youth voices in parliamentary governance. Examples included national youth parliaments, the Young Women In Leadership program (YWiL), and the President’s 10.

ParlAmericas values its collaboration with CPA UK and the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago on this Caribbean Clerks Program and looks forward to continued joint work to advance inclusive and effective parliamentary democracy across the Caribbean region.

The CPA UK Caribbean Clerks Programme builds on previous editions beginning in 2021.

Photo Credit: The Office of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.