From the 9th to the 20th of September 2024, a Seychelles parliamentary delegation headed by Hon. Terence Mondon attended the Sitting of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Committees and other PAP Organs in Midrand, South Africa. Hon. Mondon was accompanied by Hon. Wavel Woodcock, Hon. Sylvanne Lemiel, Hon. Desheila Bastienne, and Hon. Conrad Gabriel. Assistance was provided by PAP Desk Officer Ms. Georgina Balette. The sessions began on Monday 9th September, with the Bureau Meeting to consider the adoption of the Committees’ Agenda. The delegation then attended a two-day workshop under the theme Results-Based Management which focused on adopting results-based approached to better align with the objectives of the African Union, as well as enhancing the impact and visibility of the Pan-African Parliament.
On Monday 16th September, the Session was officially opened by the President of the Pan-African Parliament H.E Chief Fortune Charumbira. The opening messages highlighted the theme of the year, "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.” H.E. Charumbira urged Committees to discuss the pertinent issues of education in Africa and their contribution to the attainment of ‘Agenda 2063’. In his capacity as President of the SADC PF, Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Roger Mancienne delivered a virtual solidarity message which highlighted the areas of importance in achieving the African Union’s goals. These include the importance of foundation learning, the reduction of inequality, the promotion of inclusive quality education, and the role of Technical and Vocational Learning (TVET) in educational transformation.
The Session Agenda also included the Speakers’ Conference and Meeting of the Clerks of African Parliaments, aimed at targeting the work of all parliaments across the African continent. From the 16th to the 20th of September, participants attended Committee Meetings. During the meeting of the Committee of Monetary and Financial Affairs, Hon. Terence Mondon addressed the previous PAP resolutions on budget proposals and the relationship between the PAP and the African Union Committee. Hon. Sylvanne Lemiel and Hon. Desheila Bastienne attended the meeting of the Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and People with Disabilities, as well as the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs. During these meetings, the Hon. Members discussed the issue of protecting the rights and welfare of children.
The Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, attended by Hon. Conrad Gabriel, highlighted the promotion of the Model Law on Food and Nutrition Security across Africa. Hon. Wavel Woodcock, in his capacity as acting Deputy Chairman, attended the meeting of the Committee of Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters which included a presentation of the Policy Framework for the formulation of the Model Law on Labour Migration in Africa, and a workshop on the formulation of the Model Law on Statelessness.
The Session then came to a close on Friday 20th September, with the final meeting of the Women’s Caucus and the Youth Caucus. These meetings were centered on the consideration of their Priority Programmes for the PAP Strategic Plan 2025-2028, and the development of the 2025 workplan.
