The Parliament of the Cayman Islands hosted a post-election seminar, bringing together MPs, parliamentary officials and Commonwealth delegates to strengthen democratic practices and explore governance tools.
The three-day event from 22 to 24 October, organised with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, featured representatives from the parliaments of Bermuda, Jersey, Scotland and Trinidad and Tobago.
In a press release, parliamentary speaker Ezzard Miller said the seminar was vital for preparing MPs to lead with knowledge, integrity and vision.
“By learning from experienced parliamentarians across the Commonwealth, we strengthen our own democratic processes and reaffirm our commitment to serving the people of the Cayman Islands,” Miller said.
Former premier Sir Alden McLaughlin led a session on the evolution of parliamentary democracy in the Cayman Islands, described as a timely reflection for both new and returning members.
In addition, former MP Arden McLean provided insights into the opportunities and challenges of serving in parliament.
Participants explored parliamentary topics including the use of questions in the House and the role and remit of committees.
Woody Foster from the Commission for Standards in Public Life and Elisabeth Lees from the Anti-Corruption Commission facilitated discussions on behaviour, ethics and standards in public life.
The seminar examined emerging parliamentary trends, including a session on artificial intelligence that discussed opportunities and challenges of new technologies.
Another session explored public outreach and social media use, emphasising the importance of communicating parliamentary work clearly to the public.
“The discussions have been thoughtful, forward-looking and rooted in a shared commitment to strengthening parliamentary democracy,” said Luke Fearon, programme officer at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK.
For the first time, the Cayman Islands Youth Parliament was invited to participate in the seminar.
Youth parliamentarians joined delegates on 24 October for a question-and-answer session, sharing perspectives and engaging directly with MPs.
“Bringing the Youth Parliament into the conversation is an investment in the future of parliamentary democracy,” said Zena Merren-Chin, parlimentary clerk and chief officer.
The event concluded with a dinner celebrating shared learning and commitment to collaboration across Commonwealth parliaments.
