Representatives from countries including Pakistan, Kenya, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Australia, Belize, St Lucia and Eswatini are among those taking part in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Advanced Parliamentary Development Residency.
It is the first time the international programme has been held in the Channel Islands. The visiting delegates, who arrived on Monday, will spend five days learning from one another and exploring Guernsey’s political system.
States Greffier Simon Ross said it was an opportunity to raise the island’s profile internationally.
‘We’ve hosted a lot of stuff over the years, but I think this is the most diverse group we’ve ever had,’ he said.
‘It’s mutual learning – a good learning opportunity for me and my colleagues and for the members attending. And it’s good for us. It keeps our profile nice and high in the Commonwealth.’
The event is organised and funded by CPA International, which runs three residency programmes each year in different parts of the Commonwealth.
The delegation is also set to visit Sark on Thursday as part of their experience.
CPA’s deputy head of programmes Lydia Buchanan said Guernsey had been selected partly because of Mr Ross’s previous involvement as a mentor on CPA programmes, and partly because of the island’s size and uniqueness.
‘It’s an opportunity for you guys to really demonstrate what Guernsey has to offer.’
She said visiting parliamentarians, particularly those from countries with populations in the millions, could learn from the different demands placed on politicians in smaller jurisdictions.
‘Seeing Sark and even Guernsey on such a smaller scale will give them a real appreciation of what it’s like to be in smaller jurisdiction. All the quirks. I’ve been a clerk on a small island, so I know that when you wear many hats, you have many, many skills. Lots of these people will have whole squads and teams of staff doing comms, diary management, everything. You don’t have any of that. And I think that’s a good thing – there’s something to demonstrate there.’
For Senator Brittney Galvez from Belize, the visit has already been an eye-opener.
Having never heard of Guernsey before the programme, she said she had been struck by the island’s development and friendliness.
‘I did a little research before coming, and I just love all the facts about here. Specifically, there is a pub that has the Guinness World Record for being the closest to a church. We saw it yesterday,’ she said.
‘Even with the rain, St Peter Port is so beautiful. Our rain is like storm. Here it’s almost like snowing. And I love the courtesy of everyone. I’m having conversations with strangers on the street, and it’s like we’ve known each other for years.’
She said Guernsey’s island-wide electoral system, with deputies elected as independents rather than representatives of political parties was particularly interesting.
‘You represent everyone, not just a section of the population,’ she said.
‘In Belize, we have by districts and areas, and we have two main political parties. I love that here it’s not really tailored to the political parties, because we can see how that ends up becoming like a bit more of a debate – more political than actually what we’re trying to achieve. You’ve done so much, and achieved so many things that I think even larger nations can learn from you. We can learn how to maximise our potential.’
Eswatini MP Marwick Thandukkhanya Khumalo said he had discovered unexpected similarities between the island and his home.
‘Believe it or not, I’m so comfortable with it, and I’m amazed because where I come from, that’s the system we use,’ he said, explaining that parliamentarians in Eswatini were also elected independently of political parties.
‘Loyalty to the party sometimes, I feel, is too much. I’m excited to be here, to get an appreciation of how you do things and then we can enrich our own situation back home.’
Throughout the week, delegates will examine legislative processes, parliamentary scrutiny and the characteristics of effective parliamentarians.
The packed programme includes taking part in a mock States debate, with some current and former deputies, and completing a committee scrutiny exercise.
‘It’s designed to take you through all of the key elements of being a parliamentarian,’ said Miss Buchanan.
The programme concludes on Friday, with delegates due to leave the island on Saturday.
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