Bahamas News
MP’s Graduate with Parliamentary Governance Certificates
January 18, 2022 – The Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU), in partnership with the Conservatives Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) Programme, held an Online Graduation Ceremony on Friday January 14th 2022 for fifteen (15) Members of Parliament who successfully completed a one year certificate programme in Parliamentary Governance with McGill University in Canada.
This professional development certificate programme is recognized by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and provided MP’s with important theoretical and practical knowledge in executing their roles and responsibilities as legislators. Sponsorship for the MP’s was provided by the Conservatives WFD Programme.
The successful graduates included:
- Tracy Panton– MP Albert, UDP, Belize
- Shyne Barrow – MP, Mesopotamia, UDP, Belize
- Senator Hon. Sheena Pitts – UDP, Belize
- Kerensia Morrison – MP St. Catherine North Eastern, JLP, Jamaica
- Tova Hamilton – MP, Trelawny Northern, JLP, Jamaica
- Dr. Michelle Charles – MP, St. Thomas Eastern, JLP, Jamaica
- Tamika Davis – MP, Hanover Western, JLP, Jamaica
- Rhoda Crawford – MP, Manchester Central, JLP, Jamaica
- Anne Marie Vaz – MP, Portland Eastern, JLP, Jamaica
- Krstyal Lee – MP, St. Anne North Western, JLP, Jamaica
- Robert Miller – MP St. Catherine South Eastern, JLP, Jamaica
- Heroy Clarke – MP, St. James Central, JLP, Jamaica
- Dwight Sibblies – MP, Clarendon Northern, JLP, Jamaica
- Morland Wilson – MP, Westmoreland Western, JLP, Jamaica
- Senator Hon. Shevern John – NDP, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The Online Graduation Ceremony was attended by The Most Hon. Andrew Holness Prime Minister of Jamaica, Maria Miller Conservative MP UK, Dr. Hon. Godwin Friday Leader of the Opposition St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon. Patrick Faber Leader of the Opposition Belize, Carola Weil Dean of Continuing Studies McGill University, Nick Francis Secretary General CDU, and other officials from the UK Conservative Party’s International Department and Faculty and Staff from McGill University.
Mr. Nick Francis in his remarks at the ceremony noted that this initiative was birthed through greater engagement and consultation with stakeholders in the region in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and he was grateful to the administrators at McGill University for partnering with the CDU and the Conservatives WFD Programme to make this online training possible.
Hon. Patrick Faber and Dr. Hon. Godwin Friday extended congratulations to the graduates and expressed gratitude to the Conservatives WFD Programme, the CDU and McGill University on this successful collaboration to enhance parliamentary democracy in their respective countries.
A second cohort of trainees will commence the Parliamentary Governance Certificate with McGill University in March of this year and will include young prospective MP’s.
Quotes:
Dean of Continuing Studies at McGill University Carola Weil extended congratulations to the fifteen (15) MP’s for successfully completing the yearlong certificate programme in Parliamentary Governance and noted that this was an “important step towards the continuation of good governance and democracy around the world”
In addressing the graduates at the ceremony, Prime Minster the Most Hon. Andrew Holness noted his expectations that the training received will help to inform their advocacy, guide their involvement in policy development, and “contribute to a new cadre of political representatives that will always strive for the highest standards of excellence in governance, in parliamentary practice, and in political representation.”
Conservative MP Maria Miller UK in a pre-recorded message to the graduates (the majority being new female MP’s) noted that in light of the challenges facing women in politics, “the Conservative WFD Programme is committed to strengthening democracy by creating a much more inclusive, accountable and transparent political system.”
Press Release: CDU