To mark this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, a Commonwealth Parliamentarian from Canada shares his experience.
Knowledge Centre
CPA Blogs
Why your Parliament should conduct an accessibility audit
Lessons learnt from the Isle of Man
Members and parliamentary staff discuss the Isle of Man’s journey towards a more accessible Parliament and the support provided by the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network.
The King and Commonwealth Parliaments
As the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III takes place, this blog article looks at his relationship with the Commonwealth and his many visits to Commonwealth Parliaments over the years.
Examining Commonwealth Parliaments’ clock towers
As the chimes of Big Ben ring out once again at the UK Parliament after falling silent during the restoration of the Elizabeth Tower for almost five years, this blog article examines this iconic clock tower and some of the many different clock towers in Parliaments around the Commonwealth.
How to start a women's parliamentary caucus in 5 stages
This article outlines five key steps to follow in order to establish a successful women’s parliamentary caucus. It is adapted from the content of the 'Effective Women's Parliamentary Caucuses' course on the CPA Parliamentary Academy.
Mapping and connecting Parliamentary Research Services around the world
Research evidence has an important role to play in the work of Parliaments as they scrutinise, debate and pass legislation.
This blog highlights a new online resource that provides a global map of parliamentary research services - some well-known and others that are new - that will be of use to the wider parliamentary and academic communities.
5 things I wish someone told me when I was first elected to Parliament
By one of Australia’s longest-serving MPs
Hon. Kevin Andrews, an MP in the Australian House of Representatives from 1991-2022, gives five pieces of advice for new Members of Parliament.
75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its impact on the Commonwealth
Every year on 10 December, the world celebrates UN Human Rights Day, this year marking the 75th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
To mark the day, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has launched a series of blog posts sharing different perspectives on human rights in the Commonwealth and highlighting the 2022 theme of ‘Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All’.
Q & A: Grenada Women's Parliamentary Caucus
Glynis Roberts, Vice-President of the Grenada Women's Parliamentary Caucus, offers an insight the history, vision, and activities of the Caucus.
From COP26 to COP27: 4 climate laws passed in the last year
Australia, The Bahamas, India and Nigeria have all made legislative progress on climate change since COP26. Using data from the Climate Change Laws of the World database, this article assesses the impact of these developments in domestic climate legislation.
The role of trade union movements in democracy: A Commonwealth history
Owen Tudor, convenor of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group, explores the relationship between trade unions and parliamentary democracy.
Climate Change, Democracy and Parliaments
Members of Parliament from Barbados, Belize and Seychelles reflect on what they can do to keep climate commitments at the forefront of government agendas and key takeaways from the 'Empowering Climate Democracy' workshop co-hosted by CPA Small Branches and UNDP.
The CPA Secretary-General at CHOGM 2022
The CPA Secretary-General reflects on his time at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda from 20 - 25 June 2022.
Marking the Platinum Jubilee of the CPA Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
This blog article looks at her role as the Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and also delves into the CPA archives to reveal how the Association marked the Coronation in 1953.
An Appreciation of International Humanitarian Law
Looking ahead to the UN's International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, this blog post introduces the updated International Humanitarian Law handbook and the vital role IHL plays in the minimising of human suffering.
Seychelles: A Parliament for the Planet
Find out how the National Assembly of Seychelles took action on climate change and transformed its approach to sustainability
9 Journals providing international research on Commonwealth Parliaments
Find out what you should be reading for the latest analysis and research from around the world - essential reading for MPs and parliamentary staff.
Virtual CPC Workshops: Resources for MPs
Use the lessons from our Virtual CPC Workshops to take action in your Parliament with these resources on disability rights, diversity, federalism and counter-terrorism.
Our Winners: The CPA Youth Creativity Competition
Find out more about the winning entries from the CPA Youth Creativity Competition 2021.
Q&A: The CPA Working Group on Human Rights
Find out everything you need to know about the CPA Working Group on Human Rights from its Chairperson, Hon. Akierra Missick (Turks & Caicos Islands)
The CPA and the Belize Women's Parliamentary Caucus
Hon. Tracy Ann Panton, a Member of the Belize House of Representatives, reflects on the CPA's Women Parliamentarians' Roundtable and Public Engagement Dialogue with the National Assembly of Belize
Climate change challenges for the Commonwealth
As the COP26 conference takes place, the CPA launches a series of blog posts taking a look at the climate change challenges facing the Commonwealth and the role of Parliamentarians.
How can Commonwealth Parliaments become more diverse workplaces for their staff?
A member of parliamentary staff at the UK Parliament writes for the CPA blog about how the introduction of Workplace Equality Networks (WENs) has helped to create a diverse and inclusive workplace for all.
How the pandemic changed Commonwealth democracies
On International Day of Democracy, the CPA has published a series of blogs taking a look at the ways in which, as a result of the pandemic, ‘democracy looks different' in 2021. Topics include online voting, elections and livestreaming, with case studies from across the Commonwealth.
The game-changing women leading human rights movements around the Commonwealth
On International Day of Democracy, the CPA invites Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and Kaleidoscope Trust (KT) to tell us more about the Commonwealth Equality Project and share examples of women who are making a difference and leading human rights movements around the Commonwealth.
12 resources for Parliamentarians about the future of technology
Find articles, reports, videos and more to help Parliamentarians respond to the 4th Industrial Revolution
Equality for all in the Commonwealth
To mark this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Commonwealth Parliamentarians from Australia (Federal, South Australia and New South Wales), New Zealand and Canada share their experiences.
Weapons of Mace Democracy
Is a mace an appropriate symbol for Parliament's authority in the 21st century?
Please note: The views and opinions expressed in these blog posts are not the responsibility of the CPA Headquarters Secretariat and should not be attributed to any Parliament or Parliamentarian.
Join the debate on the CPA social media channels: Twitter @CPA_Secretariat and Facebook.com/CPAHQ.
For further information about the CPA blog please contact communications@cpahq.org.