PHILIPSBURG:--- During the week of November 1-4, 2016 Members of Parliament participated in an Orientation week organized by the secretariat of Parliament.
After the oath-taking ceremony on Monday, October 31, Members of Parliament delved immediately on Tuesday in an Orientation week organized by the secretariat of Parliament. This Orientation week started with a brief presentation by the Secretary General of Parliament (Griffier) on some practical matters concerning Parliament followed by a Masterclass on the role of Parliament in the constitutional framework as well as the competencies and responsibilities of Parliament. This Masterclass was provided by Mr. Luciano Milliard who is the Vice-rector for governance and policy affairs of the University of Aruba. Mr. Milliard has many years of experience in teaching constitutional law at the University of Aruba as well.
In the afternoon representatives of the General Audit Chamber gave a presentation on the role of the General Audit Chamber in our parliamentary democracy as well as the relationship between this High Council of State and Parliament.
On Wednesday morning the Masterclass resumed on the organization of Parliament, set up of the Rules of Order of Parliament and tasks of Parliament. In the afternoon session, the Council of Advice enlightened the Members of Parliament on how this body executes its task as the main advisory body to the Government and Parliament where it pertains legislation.
On Thursday morning the Members of Parliament participated in an interactive session on the legislative process and the role of Parliament as a whole and individual Members in this. The trainer explained the phases of a draft national ordinance as well as the templates in order to enact legislation.
The Ombudsman provided the Members with insight in her role as the protector of the people and the guardian of the Constitution on Thursday afternoon.
All the High Councils of State emphasized in their presentations that their reason for existence is to assist Parliament in its supervisory role over Government.
On Friday morning the Orientation week kicked off with presentations from the trainer and in this interactive session, the Members of Parliament role was looked at in a wider context. Their political party ideologies, Kingdom and regional organizations such as IPKO, Tripartite and Parlatino were discussed.
At the end of the Orientation week, all Members were presented with a certificate for their participation.
The goal of this Orientation week was to equip all Members of Parliament but especially the first time Members with the necessary tools in order for them to execute their role as a Parliamentarian during the Parliamentary term 2016-2020 that just commenced on October 31, 2016.
