The CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency programme has been held in Trinidad and Tobago for 17 Commonwealth Parliamentarians. The CPA programme examined how MPs can be better performing legislators and scrutineers and provided an extension of the CPA Parliamentary Academy, the CPA’s portfolio of online courses specifically for Parliamentarians and parliamentary officials.

The CPA Advanced Parliamentary Development Residency Programme was hosted by the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago in Port-of-Spain from 8 to 12 December 2025 and attended by MPs from different Commonwealth jurisdictions including Anguilla, Australian Capital Territory, Cayman Islands, Eswatini, Kenya, The Maldives, Nova Scotia, Pakistan, Tasmania and Trinidad and Tobago.

The President of the Trinidad and Tobago Senate, Senator Hon. Wade Mark, welcomed delegates to the event and said:

“Unlike many professions, there is no defined course of study which prepares us to become Parliamentarians. In state and national Legislatures. CPA Residency Programmes of this kind are essential in providing the perfect forum for advancing the professional capacity of parliamentary practitioners.

Carefully embedded into the tailored sessions of this training programme are the tenets of transparency, accountability, adaptability and responsiveness, not only to the dynamic operating environment but also to the needs of our people. All of these are the key ingredients that make for good governance.”

The Speaker of the Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives, Hon. Jagdeo Singh, MP, also attended the opening ceremony. The Senate President and the Speaker of the House are Joint CPA Trinidad and Tobago Branch Presidents.

Participants were mentored throughout the programme by current and alumni Parliamentarians and Clerks from across the Commonwealth including:

• Senator Hon. Alvina Reynolds, President of the Senate of Saint Lucia
• Hon. David Agius, MP, Deputy Speaker of the House Representatives, Parliament of Malta
• Shannon Dean, KC, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
• Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir, former Senator in Trinidad and Tobago
• Mr Brian Caesar, Clerk of the Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives
• Ms Chantal La Roche, Clerk of the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg, said:

“I am very grateful to the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago for hosting the CPA Parliamentary Academy’s Residency programme and to the mentors who have shared their parliamentary knowledge. These programmes provide an invaluable service in allowing participants to develop their skills as effective Parliamentarians and network with other Legislators.”

The programme of the Residency was based on a mentoring and coaching approach. Participants identified practical solutions to the challenges they face and honed their skills at a higher level through simulations, role-play, one-to-one discussions, group activities and exercises.

Participants also took part in 'mock' debate in the Trinidad and Tobago Parliamentary Chamber presided over by the President of Saint Lucia Senate, Senator Hon. Alvina Reynolds, to develop their parliamentary skills.

• To view images of the CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency in Trinidad and Tobago please click here to view on our Flickr Images Album

Since the launch of the CPA Parliamentary Academy in 2021 there have been six Residency courses for Parliamentarians, hosted by New South Wales (Australia), Western Cape (South Africa), Alberta (Canada), Scotland, Malaysia and Malta. There have also been two Residency programmes for Clerks and parliamentary staff in Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

The CPA Parliamentary Academy continues to expand, with new online courses covering human rights and chairing a Parliamentary Committee set to launch in 2026.

For further information about the CPA Parliamentary Academy courses please email hq.sec@cpahq.org or visit the CPA website.  

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance. Founded in 1911, the CPA brings together Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth. It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice.

For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.