FRIDAY 21ST MAY 2010

Parliament Staff

A few weeks following the dissolution of Parliament, staff of the Parliament took the initiative to evaluate and refocus on its corporate goals and objectives established under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Parliamentary Strengthening Project and to prepare for the 9th Parliament . To achieve this aims, parliament staff with the assistance of UNDP, facilitated a retreat program in Tavanipupi Island resort in Marau Sound, Guadalcanal.

The retreat allowed the National Parliament to review its progress as well discusses key functions in light of the annual tripartite reviews conducted by Machinery of Governance, Parliament and UNDP. The retreat was timely because each department had been busy executing their activities, in accordance with the work plan and corporate goals, but this retreat also gave them the opportunity to discuss with other departments.

Furthermore, parliament in 2009 and 2010 recruited new staff members in almost all departments replacing many of the original project recruits who have left to work in other organisations or went for further studies. Many of the new recruits have not been inducted into the projects overall goals and work plans. It was therefore important for all departments to convene to introduce the corporate goals to new staff members as well as refocus into the overall goals and work plans as an institution. The Tavanipupu retreat covered a period of two days of formal presentations, reporting, education and discussions. The Clerk of the National Parliament Ms Taeasi Sanga made the following remarks in her welcome speech:

“Our coming to Tavanipupu is to reflect and ponder on what have been achieved and not achieved from the corporate plan incorporated during the first induction program conducted in 2007 at Maravagi Resort in the Central Islands Province”

Each department leader presents a report of their departmental achievements; goals that have yet to be achieved; the various challenges faced and a brief outline of future plans aligned with Parliaments overall goals. The presenter’s also availed time for participants to ask questions, make recommendations, contributions and to discuss ways to overcome the challenges faced in departments and the entire parliament as an organisation.

Participants also established a working committee mandated to oversee and coordinate the induction program for members of the new parliament (9th parliament).