The Post Election Seminar for the Members of Parliament of the 12th National Assembly opened at Parliament Buildings on Saturday, 12th November, 2016.
The three day seminar has been organised by the National Assembly of Zambia Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and other Co-operating partners.
It has drawn distinguished resource persons from Australia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In Opening the seminar, the Rt. Hon. Justice Dr Patrick Matibini, SC, MCIArb, MP, said that the seminar offered Members of Parliament an opportunity to enhance their knowledge on Parliamentary practices  and procedures and Parliamentary etiquette as they would be able to interact with the resource persons who were experts on Parliamentary issues.
He added that the wide range of carefully selected seminar topics would enable members attain knowledge that would contribute immensely to the performance of their duties.
Also commenting on the seminar, Mr Akban Khan, Secretary General of the CPA,saidthe Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was one of the Commonwealth’s oldest associations; demonstrating from the outset the Commonwealth’s commitment to the principles of parliamentary democracy and good governance.Headded that Zambia had been a valued member of the CPA since 1948.

The Secretary-General explained that as the Parliamentary arm of the Commonwealth; the CPA exists to advance parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance, building an informed parliamentary communityand furthering co-operation among Parliaments and legislatures. 

He emphasised that democratic Parliaments gained their legitimacy from their ability to represent all the citizens whether minorities, that is, those with disabilities, women and young people. He added that gender equality was an essential ingredient in driving equitable and inclusive outcomes for all, economic growth and poverty reduction.
The seminar topics, included the following:

1. Rights, immunities, privileges and responsibilities of members of Parliament.
2. The budget approval process and the budget office.
3. Ethics, governance and professional values for Members of Parliament.
4. Principles of separation of powers, checks and balances.
5. Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): the role of Members of Parliament in facilitating development.
6. The role of Members of Parliament in accelerating the SDGs towards the realisation of universal health coverage in the SADC region.
7. The Public Accounts Committee and the role of the Auditor-General in parliamentary oversight.
8. Parliamentary reforms in Zambia.
9. The Development of the Commonwealth and the role of the CPA.
10. Parliamentary practice and procedure.
11. Women in Parliament.
12. Parliamentary committees.
13. The role of constituency offices in enhancing citizen’s participation in governance.
14. The role of Members of Parliament.

The Post Election Seminar will officially come to an end on Monday, 14th November, 2016.
The seminar will be followed by a road show at the National Institute of Public Administration on 15th November, 2016. The roadshow will be attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Members of the CPA Zambia Branch Executive Committee, and the Secretary-General of the CPA as well as staff of the Zambian Parliament.