Summary of Second Workshop on Networking and Outreach with Civil Society Organizations

• Published date: 25 August 2016
• Publication title: ASEAN Tribune

25 August 2016 (AIPA) Second Workshop on Networking and Outreach with Civil Society Organizations was hosted by Parliament of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur from 31st July to 3rd August 2016. The venue of the workshop was at the Parliament and it was attended by 23 Parliament Staff representing 7 Parliaments, Facilitator, GIZ Representative and Officials of the AIPA Secretariat.

At the first workshop, examples of the best practices and successful efforts on how parliaments and governments are networking with CSO in order to achieve common goals was discussed. Furthermore ideas of engaging CSO for networking and outreach, in the establishment of the ASEAN Community were debated.

The second workshop emphasized on the objective to develop a draft policy framework on AIPA-CSO engagement and outreach. Thus second workshop's theme was 'Developing a Draft Policy Framework on AIPA-CSO Engagement and Outreach.' It aimed to enable participants to formulate a draft Policy Framework on AIPA-CSO Engagement and Outreach for the establishment of the ASEAN Community.

Facilitator of the Workshop was Dr. Birgit Laubach of elbarlament based in Berlin, Germany. The conduct of the workshop was well structured and organized through plenary meetings and peer group discussions.

The final workshop or 'Workshop No. 3', would be titled 'Validating the Draft Policy Framework on AIPA-CSO Engagement and Outreach.' This Workshop No. 3 aims to validate the draft policy framework on AIPA-CSO Engagement and Outreach; discuss and mutually agree on the next steps (including road map) in finalizing the policy framework to be tabled as a draft resolution for the next AIPA General Assembly.

At the end of the series of workshops, it is envisioned that the 'Draft Policy Framework on AIPA-CSO Engagement and Outreach' will contain the following elements and key questions that must be addressed:

(1) Vision and Objectives - What do we want to achieve?

(2) Principles - What are the values that we should follow?

(3) Terms of Engagement - How do we engage the CSOs in a partnership?

(4) Areas of Partnership - What are the possible subject areas or disciplines within which we can engage CSOs for joint undertakings or partnerships?

This workshop series is expected to contribute to achieve one of the Component 3 indicators, which reads, 'As of 2015, networking with at least one CSO has been established.'

Opening Remarks

Hon. Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, Chief Administrator of Parliament of Malaysia

Hon. Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, Chief Administrator of Parliament of Malaysia addressed the workshop participants and guests attending the Opening of the Workshop on Monday, 1st August 2016. He addressed Secretary General of AIPA Hon. Mr. PO Ram, GIZ Representatives Ms. Nicole Heppner and Mr. Bernardo R. Agawin, Jr., Technical Assistance Coordinator, for AIPA-GIZ Capacity Development Project, Dr. Birgit Laubach, the workshop facilitator, and all workshop participants. He said it was a great pleasure for him to warmly welcome participants to the Second Workshop on 'Networking and Outreach with Civil Society Organizations'.

He believed the two days workshop will enable participants to learn the best international practices on how public sector engages and networks with CSOs to achieve common goals, and thereafter to outline ideas on how to engage CSOs and AIPA member parliaments. At the end he said it is a means to enhance relationship between parliament and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

He continued by saying that it is a great honor to welcome all to Parliament House of Malaysia, and informed some, who visits the Parliament for the first time, of massive renovation which is currently underway since 2013 and scheduled to be completed in 2017.

He said as a 'little ambassador' for his country, since some of the participants could be a first time visitor to Malaysia, 'to know Malaysia is to love Malaysia' - a country where a bubbling, bustling melting-pot of races and religions, where Malays, Indians, Chinese and many other ethnic groups live together in peace and harmony. He continued that...