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COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION ~ NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BRANCH ~ MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2002 AT 4.00 PM IN THE READING ROOM, LIBRARY The meeting began at 4.05 pm Present: Apologies: In attendance: 1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the previous meeting of 19 November 2002 were AGREED and signed by The President. 2. MATTERS ARISING
The President informed Members of the forthcoming Conference
of The British Isles
Mr Roger Hutchinson, Chairperson of Sub Group updated Members on the plans for Commonwealth Day. The Draft Programme of events was circulated to Members. He informed Members of the Schools Competition, which invited all Primary P7 classes to take part in a project on "Celebrating Diversity". The overall winner would receive a prize to the value of £200 and runner-up prizes of £100 to a winning school in each area Board. Invitations have been issued to the following; local athletes who have won medals in the Commonwealth games, a selection of Commonwealth students presently studying here, representatives from ethnic minority groups, primary schools, all MLAs, and Associate Officials of CPA. Mr McGimpsey, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure will launch a multi-media exhibition on "the connections which link our region to the wider world". The keynote speaker will be Lord Glentoran and it is hoped to have Sir Mark Tully, former BBC India Correspondent. The overall cost will be in the region of £3,000. 5. Commonwealth Speakers' Conference, Botswana The Speaker presented his Report on Botswana Commonwealth Speakers' Conference and copies of the report were circulated to Members. 6. Visit by Mr Denis Marshall, Secretary-General, CPA The Speaker informed Members that the newly appointed Secretary-General of the CPA, will be visiting the Assembly on 8th April 2002. During his visit he will address a meeting of the CPA Branch. 7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS 7.1 Rolling Education Programme The Speaker informed Members that he is interested in having a rolling education programme for young people set up, similar to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, which has an impressive Education Centre. He has already approached the Minister for Education regarding the secondment of two teachers to the NI Assembly to set up this programme. The Minister has agreed to explore this request. 7.2 48th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Namibia 1-14 September 2002 The President asked Members to consider topics for the next Conference in Namibia. The Conference will be organised broadly along the lines of the previous CPA meeting in Australia where topics for discussion included; Poverty Alleviation, 7.3 Annual Membership Fee The President noted that the Annual Membership Fee amounting to £5,615 for 2002 has been paid to CPA Headquarters. 7.4 Invitation to Queen Elizabeth II The President noted a letter from Mr Roy Beggs requesting "That the NI Assembly Branch of the CPA extend an invitation to Queen Elizabeth II to visit the NI Assembly in the year of her Golden Jubilee". The President explained why he felt that this was not a competent proposal. 7.5 CPA Shop The President noted that a list of items available from the CPA shop had been circulated and that items could be purchased on line or through the Overseas Office. 8. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting to be arranged. THE LORD ALDERDICE |
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