The Sergeant-At-Arms for the National Assembly Mr. Antoine Rose, Senior Legal Officer Mrs. Imaan Toulon, and Senior Parliamentary Media Operations Officer Mr. Travis Boniface attended the 36th Parliamentary Internship Programme in India, with the goal of receiving advanced training in their respective fields. This programme was organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) and took place from November 21st to December 16th, 2022.
The four-week training programme welcomed 44 participants from 17 countries, and created a comparative platform comprised of diverse political and constitutional systems which allowed participants to discuss and understand the workings of different legislative institutions. The programme also involved intensive study and practical training in parliamentary processes and procedures, with a particular referral to the practices in the Parliament and State Legislatures of India.
Each participant had the opportunity to present a paper on the salient features of their respective country’s constitution, political system, parliamentary practices and procedures, which was followed by an engaging Q&A session for everyone present. There was also a week-long Study Tour to one of the State Legislatures in India, Rajasthan State Legislative Assembly. This trip facilitated the understanding and familiarisation of all participants with the work of the Provincial Legislatures.
Mrs. Toulon took part in the Specialised Course in Legislative Drafting which focused on both the practical aspects of drafting laws, and the vital functions that Legislative Drafters and Parliamentary Counsels have in their respective Legislatures. Mrs. Toulon commented that this experience enriched her broader understanding, and that programmes such as this allowed for the exchange of information between Parliamentary Officials across the world which in turn contributes to an enhanced Parliamentary service.
Mr. Rose and Mr. Boniface commented that this opportunity provided them with an improved understanding of the Parliamentary system in India through interactions with Senior Parliamentarians and Officials, as well as visits to the Chambers of the Houses of Parliament, and the chance to witness Parliamentary Proceedings in person.
Outside of the formal training, the Secretariat staff were given the opportunity to experience the unique diversity and culture of India through local sight-seeing programmes, visits to museums, and educational excursions to sites of historical importance.
Editor’s Note: The Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) has been organizing the Parliamentary Internship Programme since 1985, with the basic objective of providing a deeper understanding of the working of Indian parliamentary democracy and the practices and procedures associated with the parliament of India.
