40th CPA Small Branches Conference

CPA Small Branches Workshop B: Accelerating Digital Innovation for Resilience and Growth in Small Jurisdictions

About the Workshop

How can smaller Parliaments use digital innovation to provide resilience and growth for their jurisdictions?

Today, leveraging technology through innovation is essential for small jurisdictions facing unique and compounding challenges like limited resources and restricted market access. Factors such as small population size, reliance on imports and the impacts of climate change amplify the effects of economic shocks, making resilience even more crucial. Parliament plays a key role in fostering an environment that encourages innovation and supports economic development.

In this workshop session, participants will learn practical strategies to accelerate digital transformation. This includes forming partnerships with technology firms, investing in digital literacy programmes and developing a comprehensive digital strategy across Parliament. The session will also address common barriers to innovation and present real-world examples of successful digital solutions that enhance community services and stimulate economic growth. Special attention will be given to the importance of these innovations for small jurisdictions.

The CPA Small Branches network intends for this workshop to highlight initiatives from across the Commonwealth and demonstrate how Parliamentarians can champion innovation. By the end of the session, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to promote digital innovation in their jurisdictions and will be equipped with the tools to initiate or enhance these efforts.

Panellists

CPA Small Branches Workshop B: Accelerating Digital Innovation for Resilience and Growth in Small Jurisdictions

Chair: Hon. Deputy Speaker David Agius (Malta)

Hon. David Agius has a background in Economics and Management and began his political involvement as president of the student council and later the Maltese Christian Democrat Students (SDM). He has held various roles within the Nationalist Party, including vice president of the European Union of Christian Democrat Workers. Elected to the Nationalist Party Executive Council in 1996, he first became a Member of Parliament in 2003. Over the years, he has served in several key positions, including Government Whip and Opposition Whip, and held roles in the Maltese Parliament House Business Committee. In 2017, he was elected Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs and in 2022, he became Deputy Speaker and Shadow Minister for Sports and EU Funds.

Deputy Elaine Millar (Jersey)

Deputy Elaine Millar has a background in law, and in 2015 was appointed the Executive Officer of the Jersey Courts, and was the first woman to hold the office of Viscount.

Deputy Millar was elected as one of four deputies for the district of St John, St Lawrence and Trinity in the States of Jersey Assembly in June 2022. She was appointed as Minister for Social Security and Assistant Minister for Treasury and Resources in July 2022.

She has also taken on the roles of Assistant Chief Minister with responsibility for Financial Services (from May 2023) and Vice-Chair of the States Employment Board (from November 2023). In January 2024, she was elected as the Minister for Treasury and Resources and appointed as the Assistant Minister for External Relations and Financial Services.

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Hon. Ahmed Nazim, MP, Deputy Speaker (The Maldives)

Hon. Ahmed Nazim, MP is the Deputy Speaker at the Parliament of The Maldives (People's Majlis).

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Hon. Bernie Bush (Cayman Islands)

Hon. Bernie Bush is a former civil servant and community leader with a career focused on preserving Caymanian culture and empowering the local population. He has served as an elected member of the Cayman Islands Parliament for 12 years, including positions as Deputy Speaker and Deputy Leader of the Opposition. He was appointed Minister for Home Affairs, Youth, Sports, and Culture in April 2021.

Mr. Bush founded multiple football clubs and developed initiatives for female athletes, including the Girls’ Primary School football league. He played a role in rebranding the Pirates Week Festival and establishing the Cayman Islands Government Sports Office. He has supported cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands and the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.

Workshop Recommendation

CPA Small Branches Workshop B: Accelerating Digital Innovation for Resilience and Growth in Small Jurisdictions

The recommendation was endorsed by workshop delegates as follows:

Together, the CPA Small Branches network and the Parliaments of the Commonwealth should explore and engage with practical strategies to accelerate digital innovations that build resilience, drive economic growth and foster social well-being.

Workshop Resources

CPA Small Branches Workshop B: Accelerating Digital Innovation for Resilience and Growth in Small Jurisdictions

General Resources:

The Parliamentarian: Related Articles

The Parliamentarian 2023 Issue Two: View from the CPA Small Branches Chairperson - Opportunities for CPA Small Branches: Growth and development for your Parliament
The Parliamentarian 2022 Issue Four: Building sustainable economies in small jurisdictions - Presentation at the Sustainable Economic development CPA Small Branches workshop
The Parliamentarian 2022 Issue Three: CPA Small Branches Workshop B: Building sustainable economies in CPA Small Branches

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67 CPC

The 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) took place from 3 to 8 November 2024 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

40th CPA Small Branches Conference

Find out more about the workshops for Members of Parliament from the smallest jurisdictions in the Commonwealth to discuss issues relevant to their Legislatures.

CPA Small Branches Workshop B: Accelerating Digital Innovation for Resilience and Growth in Small Jurisdictions

About the Workshop

How can smaller Parliaments use digital innovation to provide resilience and growth for their jurisdictions?

Panellists

Workshop Recommendation

Workshop Resources

General Resources:

The Parliamentarian: Related Articles

Feedback form

Useful Links

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

Patron

CPA Small Branches Workshop B: Accelerating Digital Innovation for Resilience and Growth in Small Jurisdictions

About the Workshop

How can smaller Parliaments use digital innovation to provide resilience and growth for their jurisdictions?

Panellists

Workshop Recommendation

Workshop Resources

General Resources:

The Parliamentarian: Related Articles

Feedback form

Useful Links

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

Connect with Us

Patron