Benefits of Membership

Conferences and Seminars

Membership provides the opportunity for participation in plenary and regional conferences, seminars, visits and exchanges of delegations.

Special seminars are arranged on request for Parliaments, especially those which have just been elected after periods of military government or after significant constitutional changes.

Publications

All Branch Members are entitled to receive, free of charge,  The Parliamentarian quarterly and the newsletter  First Reading every second month, as well as, subject to the directives of the Executive Committee, other printed and electronic publications produced periodically.

Information

The Secretariat, especially the  Parliamentary Information and Reference Centre , provides information to Members on parliamentary, constitutional and Commonwealth matters.

Introductions

Branches readily assist in arranging introductions and hospitality for Members visiting other jurisdictions. A letter from the visiting Member’s Branch Secretary is usually helpful in this and other contexts.

Parliamentary Facilities

Members visiting other Commonwealth countries are normally accorded parliamentary courtesies, especially access to debates and local Members.

Travel

Some Branches provide for a designated number of their Members annually to undertake study tours of Commonwealth and other countries to compare political and procedural developments. Other Branches arrange ad hoc visits.