Description/achievement of initiative
The Programme has four outputs:1. Effective national leadership and accountability of members of Parliament2. Law-making and committee oversight strengthened in support of Millennium Development Goals3. Engagement of public with MPs and parliament strengthened, with special effort made to engage young people and women4. Efficient, professional and high quality procedural and administrative support services provided to MPs and other key clients groupsThe partnership also has promoted advocacy work by parliamentarians through the establishment of the following groups:- SPAGHL: Samoa Parliament Advocacy Group on Healthy Living- SPAGPD: Samoa Parliamentary Advocacy Group on Population and Development- SPAGMDGs: Samoa Parliamentary Advocacy Group on MDGs
Implementation methodologies
- Integrating efforts to promote Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement into existing parliamentary processesThere is recognition that consideration should be given to working more closely with MPs to use existing parliamentary processes such as Question Time and parliamentary committees to engage more proactively with development issues, including MDGs and the post 2015 SDGs. The underlying strategy for the entire partnership is to capacitate MPs, the Parliamentary Secretariat and the public to more effectively utilise/support parliamentary processes to progress MDGs achievement. A particular focus will be on strengthening the commitment and capacity of parliamentary committees, in particular finance-related and sectoral committees, to engage more deeply in oversight of MDGs / SDG related laws, budgets and programmes and to utilise inquiries/public hearings to more effectively engage with the public to this end.
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
The arrangements for capacity building are channelled through the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. Arrangements include:- Workshops- Seminars- Training sessions- Placements and mentoring programmes- Conferences
Coordination mechanisms/governance structure
The partnership is coordinated through the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.
Partner(s)
Parliament of Samoa, Parliament of Tasmania (Australia), University of Tasmania, Parliament of Australia, IPU, CPA, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, UNDP and UN Women.
The partnership with the Parliament of Australia is through their international and Community Relations Office (ICRO) that administers two programmes: Pacific Parliamentary Partnership and Pacific Women Parliamentary Partnership.