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Parliament, UNDP to launch joint programme
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
November 30, 2005

http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?id=49216&pubdate=2005-11-30

PARLIAMENT in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will tomorrow officially launch a three-year programme aimed, among many other objectives, at strengthening the quality of the national governance system in the country.

The programme dubbed "Three year Rolling Multi-donor Parliament Support Programme" runs from January 2005 to December 2007 and was expected to be officially launched at Parliament Building by the Speaker of Parliament, Cde John Nkomo.

The programme was part of the parliamentary reforms initiated by UNDP among other stakeholders since 1997 and tomorrow's launch would see the release of an assessment report compiled by legislators across the political divide.

The report focuses on how best the august House could be reformed to make it relevant to the people and bring accountability. UNDP deputy resident representative, and programme director Mr Bernard Mokam said one of the objectives of the programme was to further strengthen the quality of the national governance system in the country. Parliament has since started implementing some recommendations by a Parliament Reform Committee.

One of the major recommendations that parliament has been implementing was the holding of public hearings on Bills that would be before Parliament by Parliamentary Portfolio Committees.

Mr Mokam said UNDP would continue supporting Parliament even under its new set up where the Senate has been introduced.

He described the Zimbabwe Parliament as one of the best in the region.

"As UNDP, we will not define the agenda of the Government and its people we will support the legislative process as defined by Zimbabweans," said Mr Mokam.

"We intend to extend our support to the judiciary and see how best we can assist in reforming it to the best of the people for Zimbabwe."

UNDP has rendered assistance to Parliament in various forms that included holding workshops for legislators to enhance their legislative capacity.

The President of the Senate, fellow senators, Members of Parliament, diplomats, among other dignitaries, were expected to attend the launch.

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