Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

An opposition Parliamentarian in Grenada has been elected to the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA) during the 4th Plenary Assembly held in Brasilia, Brazil from May 19-21.

Parliamentary Representative for St. George's South, Glynis Roberts who is an executive member of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) was voted onto the FIPA executive at the Forum for a period of 2 years.
FIPA was constituted at the Inaugural Meeting hosted by the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa in 2001.

The Forum discusses themes of importance in the hemisphere, such as the role of women in Parliament, security, the role of legislators in enhancing hemispheric security, challenges and opportunities of hemispheric integration and economic development.

The Brazil meeting brought together Parliamentarians from Latin America and the Caribbean at the two day summit. The 4th Assembly was a follow-up to two sub-regional forums of FIPA's Women Parliamentarians of the Americas held in Barbados on March 21-22 and in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 6-8.
The Barbados meeting for Parliamentarians of the Caribbean and North America looked at "Enhancing Women's Leadership to Strengthen Democracy" while the Argentina meeting focused on "Increased Leadership of Women for the Strengthening of Democratic Governance".

Speaking with GRENADA TODAY Monday, Roberts said the discussions focused on issues such as poverty, employment and issues affecting women. She said that based on the decisions coming out of the Brazil Forum, the recommendations will then be submitted to the Heads of States and governments at the Fourth Summit of the Americas in Argentina in November.
Roberts said that they also looked at FIPA 's role in promoting social dialogue that commits governments and social partners to work together to create better employment opportunities for its citizens.

The opposition Parliamentarian noted that once the recommendations are agreed upon at the Argentina Summit, they will then be tabled at local Parliaments and made into law. Roberts disclosed that an item on FIPA'a agenda this year is a planned trip to the troubled Caribbean country of Haiti to see first hand the plight of the Haitian people as well as encourage women there to get involved in politics.

She said the visit will also look at what can be done to get the Haitian people to pursue the democratic process. The Opposition MP described the Summit as a brilliant experience for her and appealed to all Parliamentarians in Grenada to work together to implement the recommendations put forward by FIPA.

She said when this is done the population will be better educated on the systems under which this country functions. She added that the people of Grenada will be more empowered to have a better functioning country free from violence, poverty, HIV/AIDS and full of healthy, happy and educated citizens.