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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), previously known as the Empire Parliamentary Association, is an organisation which works to support good governance, democracy and human rights.
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As of 1989, the CPA acknowledges as Patron – the Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – and as Vice-Patron, by rotation Heads of State of the Commonwealth national government hosting its upcoming annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The Association's supreme authority is the General Assembly, constituted by delegates to the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The business and activities of the CPA are managed by an Executive Committee, which reports to the General Assembly. The CPA's funds are derived from membership fees paid by its branches, as well as from two trust funds and benefactors.
The official publication of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is The Parliamentarian, the Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments. The organisation administers the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), a group across the Commonwealth which promotes greater representation for women in Parliament and the Commonwealth Youth Parliament, an annual gathering of young people hosted by a Commonwealth Parliament.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) currently has 181 branches and is divided into nine regions – Africa; Asia; Australia; British Islands and Mediterranean; Canada; Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic; India; Pacific, and South-East Asia. The CPA Secretariat is based in London.
History
The CPA was founded as the Empire Parliamentary Association in 1911, with its first branches being Australia, Canada, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom, the latter branch administering the Association as a whole. In 1948 the Association changed its name to the current Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and invited all branches to participate in the organisation's administration.
Officers
The current Chair of the CPA Executive Committee is Hon. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban of Bangladesh, who succeeded Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst MP (2011 – 2014), formerly Chairman of Ways and Means of the UK Parliament.
The current Vice-Chair is Hon. Emilia Lifaka MP, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon.
The current Treasurer is Hon. Vicki Dunne, Deputy Speaker of Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly.
The current Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians is Hon. Noraini Ahmad, MP from the Parliament of Malaysia.
The current Chairperson for Small Branches is Hon. Angelo Farrugia, MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta in the Parliament of Malta. The Small Branches Chairperson is a new Officer position within the CPA from December 2016.
Secretaries-General
The CPA's 7th Secretary-General is Mr Akbar Khan.
Previous Secretaries-General have been: Dr. William F. Shija, former Minister Tanzania Parliament (2007 – 2014); Hon. Denis Marshall, former Minister New Zealand Parliament (2002 – 2006); Hon. Arthur Donahoe, former Speaker Nova Scotia House of Assembly (1993 – 2001); Hon. Dr. David Tonkin, former Premier South Australia (1986 – 1992); Sir Robin Vandervelt from South Africa (1961 – 1985); Sir Howard d’Egville (1949 - 1960).
Members
Members of the CPA are listed below. Both national and subnational parliaments are included.