A delegation, led by Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana, attended the 45th BIMR Conference on "Parliaments in the Face of Contemporary Challenges" held between 25 and 27 May 2015 in Limassol, Cyprus, whereby a number of sessions concerning procedural issues that parliaments face today as well as other varied topics were explored. The delegation also included Minister Carmelo Abela, David Agius, Anthony Bezzina and Silvio Parnis.
The Maltese delegation participated actively and contributed in various workshops, including that on Parliaments and employment, with a particular reference to the youth unemployment phenomenon. During this session the good practices with regards to how Malta has tackled the issue of unemployment through development and education by targeting groups who may be more vulnerable to unemployment, were outlined by Justyne Caruana. During a presentation on the same subject matter, Malta was lauded as a positive exception when compared to a number of EU Countries where employment has been a disconcerting issue. During the workshop on parliamentary scrutiny of government employment policies, a detailed analysis of parliamentary procedures in Maltese Parliament was shared by Silvio Parnis. He explained how, following a series of intensive discussions in 1995 between the parliamentary groups and the Speaker of the House, the Standing Orders of the House were amended so as to set up a number of parliamentary standing committees. This has increased efficiency in the conduct of parliamentary work and has also provided additional fora for the carrying out of Parliament's scrutiny functions.
The second day of the Conference dealt with the broadcasting of Parliaments and its benefits and challenges in the context of Parliament and accountability, and also on the responsibilities MPs carry in relation to their professional ethics. In these two workshops the Maltese delegation spoke about the opening of the new Parliament building in Valletta, where the new facility of a parliamentary television channel has been launched. David Agius updated the Members present on the recent developments in the Maltese Parliament saying that the plenary work is now being broadcast on two private television channels, and stressed the importance of headlining the work of the Parliamentarians in order to bring it closer to the public at large. During the final workshop, the local Bill on the Act of Standards in Public Life published in July 2014 by a parliamentary Select Committee, was mentioned by both Carmelo Abela and Justyne Caruana.
Minister Carmelo Abela was part of the panel in the Annual General Meeting of the BIMR as Executive Committee member. During this meeting he stated that the issue of migration, has a direct impact on Malta and other Mediterranean countries, has taken a high priority on the agenda of the EU. Carmelo Abela reiterated that the European Union is working on a legislation that has been lacking and consequently will propose a way forward. Abela also pointed out that the Commission has issued 10-point Action Plan and immediate action is envisaged, together with international initiatives involving the EU and United Nations to safeguard lives of migrants in efforts to stop smuggling and loss of lives.
Carmelo Abela also shared an update with regards to the CHOGM which is to be held in November 2015 in Malta, stating that the main theme of the Meeting is “Adding Global Value” where the debate will mainly focus on whether the Commonwealth is still relevant in this day and age. A number of new initiatives will also take place such as discussion fora related to business and women respectively.
In addition to attending the above sessions, Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana, who is involved in the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), participated in a Steering Committee meeting as well as in a discussion session on the challenges that women in Parliaments have been facing in recent times.