Report of the 11th Meeting of the Executive Committee
San José, Costa Rica
February 11 and 12, 2005
1. Introduction
At the invitation of Congressman Mario Calderón, the Eleventh
Meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA) was
held on February 11 and 12, 2005 in San José at the Legislative
Assembly of Costa Rica.
Seven of the Committee’s current nine members attended this meeting,
representing all of the hemisphere’s sub-regions excepting the
Caribbean (see the list of participants in Appendix 1).
The main objectives of this meeting were to:
- Complete certain administrative formalities necessary for FIPA’s
operations as a legal entity;
- Review contributions paid by member parliaments and discuss the
organization’s funding;
- Discuss activities of the standing work groups;
- Adopt a public relations strategy for the organization;
- Discuss preparations for the Fourth Plenary Assembly and FIPA’s
contribution to the Fourth Summit of the Americas; and
- Pursue discussions pertaining to the planned mission to Haiti.
2. Opening of the meeting and approval of the
agenda
Deputy Mario Calderón, the meeting’s host, welcomed participants
and then gave the floor to Senator Céline Hervieux?Payette of
Canada, who, in her capacity as Chair, declared the meeting open.
The Chair reviewed the agenda and submitted it to the
members’ consideration. The agenda was approved by Committee members
on a motion of Mr. Don Boudria, Canadian Member of Parliament, and deliberations
commenced.
3. Administrative Issues
The Chair submitted two draft resolutions to members of FIPA’s
Board of Directors.
3.1 Change in the Corporation’s fiscal year
The first resolution, which sought to change the close of FIPA’s
fiscal year from December 31 to September 30, was unanimously adopted
by the Board of Directors.
3.2 Appointment of the Corporation’s secretary
Members of the Corporation’s Board of Directors then unanimously
adopted a second resolution naming Emmanuelle Pelletier as secretary
of the Corporation to succeed Mateo Barney, who has stepped down from
that position.
4. Funding of FIPA’s activities and official inclusion
4.1 Following up on the strategy for the collection of
contributions
The Chair provided an update on contributions received through the present
for the 2004-2005 period and advised Committee members of actions taken
to promote implementation of Resolution FIPA/PA/2004/RES.1 for the Official
Inclusion of National Legislatures from the Americas in FIPA.
Committee members said that they must take advantage of
the new year to redouble efforts to collect contributions from their
respective nations and regions and, to the extent possible, overcome
existing obstacles (such as the fact that some parliaments pay higher
dues to other inter-parliamentary associations).
4.2 Following up on the strategy for diversifying FIPA’s
funding
The Chair reported on her ongoing negotiations with the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) to ensure funding of FIPA’s Secretariat
over the next two years. She added that pursuing efforts among other
donor agencies, such as private foundations, is vital to FIPA’s
survival.
Argentinean Congressman Luis Molinari Romero suggested
to the Chair that she take advantage of her next mission to Washington
D.C. to meet with the President of the Inter-American Development Bank
(IDB). Mexico’s representative, Silvia Hernández, also
offered to make efforts during her next mission to Washington, D.C.
5. Work group interim reports
5.1 Group of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas
On behalf of Senator Sandra Husbands of Barbados, the Chair presented
the schedule of the First Regional Forum on Enhancing Women's Leadership
to Strengthen Democracy, which is set for Bridgetown, Barbados from
March 20 to 22, 2005. This Forum is not only scheduled to bring together
parliamentarians from the Caribbean and North American nations, but
representatives from the business sector have been invited to join the
parliamentarians on the second day and discuss the political and economic
leadership strategies of women and in particular, take on the issue
of funding electoral campaigns. The Forum is being made possible largely
through the financial support of Canadian banks.
The Argentinean delegate reported on preparations being
made for the Second Regional Forum of the Group of Women Parliamentarians
of the Americas organized by the Argentinean Congress and Argentinean
Congresswoman Margarita Stolbizer, Chair of FIPA’s Women’s
Group. This event will bring together parliamentarians from the government
and opposition parties of the parliaments of Central and South America
from April 6 to 8, 2005, to discuss the political, economic and social
status of women. Organizations representing civil society will also
be invited to attend the Forum on April 8. In view of promoting a broader
participation in this event by women parliamentarians from the region’s
smaller nations, FIPA’s Technical Secretariat requested financial
assistance from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The Argentine delegate suggested that these forums be
used to present the program of the next plenary meeting in Brasilia,
Brazil, and the topics to be considered there, namely debt, the issue
of terrorism and that of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
He also suggested that the Inter-American Development Bank (IBD) be
asked to back the activities of the Group of Women Parliamentarians
of the Americas.
The Brazilian delegate offered his support to this initiative
and informed the Committee that 2005 had been declared the Year of the
Latin-American and Caribbean Woman. The Canadian representative also
approved this major initiative, stating that representation by women
in the Canadian Parliament was far from adequate and that men should
participate in discussions on gender equality.
The Chair also noted that FIPA should itself make some
progress in terms of women’s representation, as official delegations
to the plenary assemblies largely consisted of men.
5.2 Work Group on the Free Trade Area of the Americas
(FTAA)
5.2.1 Project in collaboration with the Centre for Trade Policy and
Law
As representative of Canada and Chair of the Work Group on the FTAA,
Mr. Don Boudria reported progress on the Trade Knowledge Network project,
prepared in collaboration with Ottawa’s Carleton University on
the Centre for Trade Policy and Law (CTPL), as well as on efforts to
seek funding for this project. The project will provide legislators
from the Americas with training on the FTAA and on trade agreements
in the form of sub-regional seminars (Central America, North America,
South America and the Caribbean).
On a suggestion of this work group’s chair, Executive
Committee members agreed that the last quarter of 2005 would be the
right time for deploying this project. On the proposal of the Argentinean
delegate, the recommendation was also made that the CTPL organize its
sub-regional seminars in collaboration with local partners.
5.2.2 Formal participation in the FTAA process by parliamentarians
In view of the stagnation of talks, little discussion was held on the
proposal submitted to the FTAA negotiation co-chairs for formal participation
by FIPA in the FTAA process. Committee members expressed concern over
this situation, which has resulted in the fact that the FTAA is no longer
a governmental priority in many nations of the continent.
Members agreed to see how the process turns out and to
determine what action to take during the next Plenary Assembly in May
2005. The Chair noted, however, that she felt governments should set
commercial rules of play and that the multilateral approach proved more
equitable than the bilateral one for the continent’s smaller nations.
She suggested taking advantage of the next Plenary Assembly in Brasilia
to meet with Brazilian authorities and promote official recognition
of FIPA as the voice of parliamentarians in the FTAA process.
Certain delegates made note of the close ties between
trade issues and others that are economic in nature, such as debt and
tax harmonization, thereby underscoring the fact that FIPA’s job
was to promote all aspects of continental integration.
All of the delegates agreed on the fact that, regardless
of how the FTAA project turns out, it is important for parliamentarians
to develop their understanding of trade issues.
5.3 Work group on terrorism
The representative of Mexico and the Chair of the Work Group on Terrorism,
Senator Silvia Hernández, presented an interim report on the
activities of the Terrorism Work Group since August 2004.
5.3.1 Ratification and implementation of international
instruments
In view of promoting the ratification and implementation of the Inter-American
Convention against Terrorism, as well as that of the United Nations
conventions, letters were sent to officials of all parliaments in the
Americas. As of February, Cuba, Chile, Colombia and Peru were the only
nations that have answered these letters.
In view of this disappointing response, the Executive
Committee agreed on the necessity of a more proactive approach. Members
of the Executive Committee stated that they had to set an example by
identifying the obstacles to ratification of the Intra-American Convention
in their respective countries and working actively on the sub-regional
scale until the month of May to get the other nations to respond. It
was also agreed that better communications should be established between
Committee members and with the other parliaments of the hemisphere.
The Canadian delegate accordingly proposed that more use be made of
the Virtual Parliament as a communications tool, while the Brazilian
delegate proposed that greater efforts be made to enlist the support
of parliamentary communication and public relations departments.
5.3.2 Essay contest
The group’s chair reported on the progress of the essay contest
project organized in conjunction with the Instituto Tecnológico
Autónomo de México (ITAM) for its university students.
It suggested that it start by promoting such contests as pilot projects
in one or two countries of the region, emphasizing the importance of
making young people aware of security-related issues. The Committee
approved this proposal.
5.3.3 Cooperation with the Inter-American Committee Against
Terrorism (CICTE)
The Chair of the Work Group also advised the Committee that Senator
Raymundo Cárdenas, Vice-President of the Mexican Senate, participated
in the 5th meeting of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism
(CICTE) from February 14 to 16, 2005 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and
Tobago. The Working Group will be able to use the results of this session
to determine the legislative actions necessary for contending with terrorism
and for focusing, if necessary, on a specific issue (money laundering,
cyber-security, etc.).
The delegate from Costa Rica also proposed sending his
colleagues the text of the law formulated by his country with CICTE’s
support.
6. Public relations strategy
The Executive Committee considered the Public Relations Strategy formulated
by Senator Sandra Husbands of Barbados in conjunction with FIPA’s
Technical Secretariat (enclosed) and approved its content, with the
understanding that certain activities can only be implemented if additional
financial and human resources is obtained.
7. Discussion of FIPA’s Strategic Directions
Committee members considered the strategic directions that the organization
should take to bolster its position within the Americas.
Among issues raised, members mentioned that the organization’s
structure should be enhanced. Doing so would require steadier communication
between members of the Executive Committee and member parliaments. The
proposal by the Mexican delegate to hold four annual meetings of Executive
Committee was well received by other members. Members also agreed that
it would be useful to establish primary FIPA contacts in each parliament.
In view of the interest raised by the Canadian model, Canada’s
representative agreed to send more information on the structure of the
Canadian Section of FIPA.
Members also raised the importance of reinforcing the
organization’s political dimensions. The Committee thereupon agreed
to pursue its efforts toward enhancing democracy in Haiti.
8. Preparations for FIPA’s Fourth Plenary
Assembly and Contribution to the Fourth Summit of the Americas
8.1 Report on preparations
Brazilian Deputy Luiz Carlos Hauly informed delegates of the state of
preparations for FIPA’s Fourth Plenary Assembly. In accordance
with the decision made at FIPA’s Third Assembly, it will take
place in May 2005 at Brazil’s National Congress in Brasilia. At
the suggestion of Mr. Hauly, Assembly dates were postponed to avoid
any overlap with those of the Latin America-Arab League Summit. The
representative from Brazil took this opportunity to present the Assembly’s
logo to members.
The Executive Committee agreed to increase its efforts
to ensure maximum participation by parliamentarians, including those
from the United States, in the Assembly of the Americas.
8.2 Assembly Program and Work Groups
The Assembly’s preliminary program was presented, along with proposed
work group topics. The members presented suggestions for special guests
for the opening ceremony, as well as experts for work groups on the
FTAA, terrorism and debt.
8.3 Virtual Parliament Workshop
To promote use of the Virtual Parliament of the Americas among the region’s
parliamentarians, the Committee approved the holding of workshops during
each work group meeting in order to explain to parliamentarians how
to use the Virtual Parliament.
8.4 FIPA’s Contribution to the Fourth Summit of
the Americas (Mar del Plata, November 2005)
The Executive Committee proposed incorporating the topic of the next
Summit of the Americas (“Creating Employment to Confront Poverty
and Strengthen Democratic Governance”) in the activities and discussions
of each work group.
9. Update on the Planned Mission to Haiti
The Chair advised the Committee of the latest developments concerning
the situation in Haiti. Members agreed that a parliamentary mission
would prove to be of greater value once a new parliament has been elected
in Haiti. The two rounds of legislative and presidential elections are
scheduled for November 12 and December 18, 2005. The idea was put forth
of organizing a joint mission with the Assemblée parlementaire
de la Francophonie. The Committee will also consider the possibility
of organizing a project prior to the elections to promote participation
by Haitian women.
10. Other issues
The representative from Paraguay informed Executive Committee members
of activities conducted by the International Relations Committee of
the Paraguay Senate and, in particular, efforts conducted to encourage
the participation of United States parliamentarians in FIPA.
11. Appendices
11.1 Appendix 1: List of Participants
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chair of FIPA
Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette (CANADA)
North America
Don Boudria, Member of Parliament (CANADA)
Senator Silvia Hernández (MEXICO)
Central America
Congressman Mario Calderón (COSTA RICA)
South America
Congressman Luis Molinari Romero (ARGENTINA)
Senator Alejandro Velazquéz Ugarte (PARAGUAY)
Host nation for the next Plenary Assembly
Congressman Luiz Carlos Hauly (BRAZIL)
FIPA TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT
Emmanuelle Pelletier (Executive Secretary)
Sabra Ripley (Assistant Executive Secretary)
OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Alejandra Bolaños (Legislative Assistant, Legislative
Assembly of Costa Rica)
Silvia Mergulhão (Director of Public Relations, Chamber of Deputies
of Brazil)
11.2 Appendix 2: Public Relations Strategy
A) Objective of the Strategy
The long-term objective of FIPA is to contribute to the
quality of democracy in the Americas through parliamentary dialogue
and cooperation. In order to pursue this mission, the FIPA Executive
Committee deemed necessary for FIPA to attain a number of medium term
goals, one of which is to gain, over the next two years, greater recognition
for FIPA:
· within parliaments of the Americas
· with other key actors:
- the Organization of American States and governments
of the Americas
- United Nations agencies
- Governmental and private funding agencies, international financial
institutions, regional development banks
- Civil society organizations and the academic sector
- the Media
This public relation strategy proposes a set of strategic
actions to build recognition of FIPA as a premier Parliamentary association.
B) Plan of Action
a) Building recognition among the Parliaments and parliamentarians
Priority Proposed Actions Tasks
HIGH Create a periodic newsletter to send to the various parliaments,
which should include key information about the work of the various parliaments
(FIPA could start with a trimestrial or semestrial issue.) The newsletters
should for instance salute important legislation, honouring parliaments
who pass innovative legislation consistent with the FIPA values and
objectives and honour individual parliamentarians in every country.
It should also underline what FIPA is doing to contribute to inter-parliamentary
dialogue and democracy throughout the hemisphere FIPA Secretariat:§
Design the newsletter § Research member parliaments websites for
news section§ Establish contacts with public relations/media staff
in other parliamentsNB: This may require additional staff.Executive
Committee members:§ Identify in their respective parliament one
person responsible for public relations/news/media, send information
to FIPA Secretariat and request permission to publish news on the FIPA
newsletter and website§ Commit to write one article in the coming
year on their experience with FIPA HIGH Establish institutional point
of contacts to liaise with FIPA in parliaments of the Americas Executive
Committee members and Secretariat§ Identify in their respective
parliament one parliamentary officer to liaise with FIPA President§
Encourage official delegations attending the Plenary meeting to identify
in their respective parliament one parliamentary officer to liaise with
FIPA
MEDIUM Honor a specific country and invite the Head of the State/ the
Presidents of House and Senate during yearly Plenary meetings Executive
Committee members/FIPA Secretariat:Look into possible countries to honour
for 4th Plenary meeting (possibly based on specific legislative achievements).
MEDIUM Use the Virtual Parliament as a Promotional tool to showcase
FIPA as a young, connected organization FIPA Secretariat:§ Identify
funding for Phase 2 of the Virtual Parliament initiative§ Identify
moderators for on-line working groupsExecutive Committee members/Chairs
of Working Groups§ Propose topics to start discussions in on-line
working groups§ Look into possible moderators for on-line working
groups if possible and submit contact information to FIPA§ Follow
and participate in discussions on on-line Working Groups (through assistants
if necessary) § Provide contact name of person in charge of information
technology in their respective parliament
MEDIUM Contribute articles to different magazines or papers read by
parliamentarians. Executive Committee members/FIPA Secretariat:- Look
into select papers/journals
MEDIUM Add a daily/news section to the website, linking to the news
section of member parliaments’ websites. This will generate traffic
on the website.Publish articles and speeches of various parliamentarians
on the website and inform them of the honour. FIPA Secretariat:- Create
a new section on website and update regularly- Search relevant informationNB:
This may require additional staff.Executive Committee members:- Send
relevant articles and speeches to post on FIPA website
LOW Honour the anniversaries of various parliaments and special celebrations
of the nation. FIPA Secretariat:§ Look into anniversaries/special
events of parliaments of the region§ Create a database with the
appropriate information, to be connected to the webpage with an automatic
generated messageExecutive Committee members:§ Inform FIPA Secretariat
of anniversaries/ special events in their parliaments
LOW Solicit discount or special concessions/ privileges with some select
upmarket vendors, that give status to parliamentarians either when traveling
or shopping. This can be done with upmarket hotel chains, airline travel
or certain type of stores. A FIPA membership card would be nice, so
that travel as a FIPA member would be prestigious. NB: This has to be
tastefully done, to avoid seeming vulgar. FIPA Secretariat:- Establish
contact with vendors to obtain special concessions for FIPA membersExecutive
Committee members:- Support Secretariat’s efforts
b) Establishing relations with stakeholders
Priority Proposed Actions Tasks
HIGH OAS and inter-American institutions Create stronger cooperation
ties with the OAS and other inter-American institutions: § Raise
FIPA’s profile by attending at major inter-American and OAS events
such as the Fourth Summit of the Americas§ Cooperate with the OAS
on specific projects§ Promote the inclusion of FIPA language in
Fourth Summit Declaration and Plan of Action FIPA Secretariat:§
Invite the OAS to participate in FIPA meetings as speakers, donors,
co-organizers§ Keep abreast of Summits preparations and OAS activities
and inform WG chairs and Executive Committee members§ Organize
a mission to Washington D.C. for FIPA Chair to meet various OAS authorities
Chairs of Working Groups:§ Establish relations with OAS agencies
on issues of common interest (Inter-American Committee against Terrorism,
Inter-American Commission for Women, OAS Office for Trade, etc.)§
Propose language to include in Fourth Summit Declaration and Plan of
Action Executive Committee members:§ Attend OAS events in respective
regions whenever possible
HIGH UN agencies, international financial institutions, development
banks:Look for partnerships on specific projects/programs consistent
with FIPA’s agenda. FIPA could work jointly with funding agencies
as an implementing arm while they provide funding and/or team up with
private agencies or NGOs. FIPA Secretariat:§ Look into possible
donors for upcoming events and identify issues which attract funding
in the Americas (e.g. gender equality)§ Invite representatives
of UN agencies to participate in FIPA meetings as speakers§ Link
up to key websites
MEDIUM Media:Take advantage of the public relation value of every FIPA
activity§ Publicize every speech with merit of FIPA members, with
FIPA woven into the story§ Develop a position on a number of strategic
political issues, such as HIV/AIDS, poverty, women’s issues, world
trade, environment and specific political situations (in respecting
national opinions) and send these opinions to the media when the topic
is in the news and have them featured in select magazines deemed suitable§
Publish articles outlining individual opinions when relevant FIPA Secretariat§
Include a promotional aspect in coming FIPA events (media kit, press
releases, press conference, photographer, etc.)§ Keep abreast of
political developments in FIPA countries and advise FIPA Chair of specific
situations/issues of interest (ongoing)NB: This may require additional
staff.Executive Committee members § Develop a fast consultation
system among Executive Committee members to issue communiqués/declarations
in a timely manner; this may entail having one contact person in their
parliament who can be reached easily and who can reach Executive Committee
members easily and making better use of the Executive Committee Intranet§
Communicate with FIPA Chair or Secretariat when a member deems necessary
to develop a position on a particular issue and send a draft for consultation
with the Executive Committee§ Send relevant speeches, articles
or information to FIPA Secretariat as possible
MEDIUM Universities and NGOs § Link up to key sites at universities
and NGOs (and have them to link-up to FIPA website). FIPA could claim
a particular niche such as aspiring parliamentarians and should encourage
universities to use the website.§ Make partnerships to deliver
specialized services to particular niches (fees can be charged for the
service so that FIPA can earn and the service provider can earn):e.g.
On-line education on expertise in politics from practical to theoretical
issues for aspiring or research service for parliamentarians and other
key executive.§ Organize more one-off initiatives (e.g. competitions,
round-tables) with partners, which are low cost but will provide recognition
for FIPA Secretariat:§ Update and complete website with relevant
links§ Contact relevant institutions to ask them to link up to
FIPA website§ Look into possible partnerships; partners could work
in cooperation with FIPA to deliver specialized services, to fulfill
specific mandates (i.e. write analytic articles, moderate on-line working
groups, etc.) § Make contacts with possible experts to act as moderators
for FIPA on-line working groups NB: This may require additional staff.
Executive Committee members:§ Submit ideas/project proposals to
be carried out in their respective parliaments with minimal support
of FIPA Secretariat
C) Resources
Currently, the Technical Secretariat staff consists of
two full-time positions (Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Secretary)
and one part-time position (webmaster/information technology officer).
Carrying out this promotion strategy would require additional
resources, with expertise in:
- Research and analysis
- Information technology
- Public relations and communications
- Marketing
Additional financial resources could be available around
April 2005 if the contribution agreement with the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) is concluded. Part of these resources should
be used to renew the contract of FIPA’s information technology
officer, which would leave enough resources for a part-time position
or temporary contracts.
The following options are proposed to help Executive Committee
members make a decision on how to make the best use of available resources,
according to pre-identified priorities.
Proposal:
§ Extend the mandate of FIPA’s information
technology officer to design a newsletter and create a weekly news section
in the website where speeches, articles, etc. could be published
§ Create a temporary position as communication officer
within the FIPA Secretariat or in the office of an Executive Committee
member to work on the first issue of the newsletter, handle the research
component of the strategy and make contacts with appropriate people
in parliaments of the region.
For lower costs, FIPA could look into the possibility
of creating an internship position for undergraduate or graduate student.
§ Other mandates could be filled out through specific,
temporary contracts with NGOs and academic institution experts etc.
