From December 8th to 15th 2024 the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, and President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Honourable Roger Mancienne led a delegation to the 56th Plenary Assembly which took place in Livingstone, Zambia. The delegation was comprised of Hon. Regina Esparon, and the Director to the Office of the Speaker Ms. Genevieve Daniel. The Plenary Assembly was held under the theme “Leveraging Technology and Innovation for Smart, Inclusive, and Responsive Parliaments in the SADC Region”, serving to underscore the importance of integrating modern technologies to transform parliaments into more dynamic, inclusive, and responsive institutions.
As the President of the SADC PF, Hon. Mancienne chaired the Plenary from the official opening ceremony through to the closing ceremony, with the additional charge of presiding over the symposium on the theme of the Plenary. During the Plenary Sessions, Hon. Regina Esparon had the opportunity to present two reports including the Seychelles Country Report, allowing for discussions and interventions on several key issues. The closing ceremony was one of great significance, as Hon. Mancienne handed over the presidency of the SADC PF to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar Hon. Justin Tokely. This marked the closure of the fruitful two-year mandate held by Hon. Mancienne.
A special highlight of the Plenary occurred when all participants joined to wish the outgoing President Hon. Roger Mancienne, a happy birthday, which he celebrated during the Plenary Assembly. This moment of camaraderie and celebration added a personal touch to the formal proceedings, reflecting the strong sense of community within the SADC PF.
The 56th Plenary Assembly of the SADC PF highlighted the critical role of technology and innovation in shaping the future of parliamentary functions in the SADC region. By leveraging these tools, parliaments can better meet the diverse needs of their populations and adapt to the rapidly changing world, ensuring more effective legislative, oversight, and representative roles. Hon. Mancienne's leadership and the active participation of the Seychelles delegation underscored their commitment to these goals.
By embracing advancements such as artificial intelligence and digital platforms, parliaments can enhance transparency and increase citizen engagement. These technologies streamline legislative processes and promote inclusive governance, ensuring that underrepresented groups have greater access to decision-making platforms.
