02 - The Committee System

In this course students will learn about the complex systems of administration and management that make parliaments effective institutions, but also effective employers. This course covers the importance of Human Resources as well as ethics and standards within parliament. It also explores the topic of financial management such as parliamentary budgets and financial accountability. By the end of this course students will possess a clear understanding of administrative and financial aspects of working within a parliament.

This can be one of the more intimidating aspects of parliamentary processes. Therefore, having an online course on parliamentary practice, procedure and privileges can be invaluable. This course offers expert advice and guidance from former and current clerks and parliamentary staff, who explore key concepts within parliamentary procedure, including parliamentary privileges, powers, and immunity. Students will also learn about the separation of powers and the role of the Latimer House Principles, which are essential reading for any new parliamentary officer.

This course covers a crucial aspect of any parliamentary staff member’s role and that is navigating, managing, and cultivating relationships. Students will learn how to build effective relationships with Members, Presiding Officers as well as Ministers and Government Officials. This course will also provide guidance and tips on working with and engaging young people in the parliamentary process. Upon completing this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to work effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders, while also exploring the importance of building relationships with colleagues and other parliamentary staff.

This course offers a better understanding of corporate governance through a contemporary lens that gives a detailed explanation and guidance on the role of monitoring and evaluation, creating business plans and the importance of risk management. This course gives clear and accessible definitions for concepts that play a vital role in the everyday workings of a parliament. By the end of this course students will be familiar and comfortable with these topics and possess the knowledge to put forward business plans and monitoring and evaluation strategies.

This online course looks in detail at the legislative process in a step-by-step way. The course looks at the various stages of a Bill and how to amend and scrutinise legislation. It covers all types of legislation, including Public, Private, Hybrid and even Money Bills. The course also looks at current trends around emergency legislation, and post-legislative scrutiny. Whether you are in parliament or not, it is a valuable resource in gaining an expertise in how to draft, amend or repeal laws.

This course covers the many varied ways that scrutiny is conducted within parliaments, committees, and oversight bodies. From Public Accounts Committees to Audit Institutions, this course gives a detailed look at the types of scrutiny and accountability available to parliaments. This course also examines the role of scrutiny and accountability in the chamber by advising how to hold the government accountable during debates. By the end of this course you will have a clear understanding of the benefits and best practices of scrutiny within varied parliamentary and non-parliamentary settings.

The Representation, Advocacy and Education course covers a range of topics relevant to contemporary parliaments. The course looks at the advocacy role of a parliamentary and how-to best champion constituency interests, from gathering expert advice, to asking questions, and delivering rousing speeches. Furthermore, this course looks closely at community engagement, such as working with higher education institutions and the benefits of public outreach and education. By the end of this course you will have an understanding of various engagement channels and how to best utilise them, as well as techniques for making your voice heard.

The primary objective of this course is to provide newly appointed Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments with the knowledge and skillset to perform their functions as leaders within parliamentary institutions. The course is intended for new or experienced Speakers and Presiding Officers. It is also beneficial to Deputy Speakers who wish to gain more understanding in their support role, as well as Private Secretaries and support staff within Speaker offices, external parliamentary professional development specialists or political students. The course will examine the procedural, administrative, ceremonial and outreach roles of Speakers and Presiding Officers from within a Commonwealth context.

A great accompaniment to The Committee System course, this course focuses on the Public Accounts Committee, which is a bastion of most parliaments. The course uses exercises, case studies and a series of snapshots (practice, procedural and research) from across nine of the CPA regions to highlight aspects of history, practice, research and procedure relevant to the work of public accounts committees. The course covers topics including, origin and history of the Public Accounts Committee, role and remit of the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor-General and Supreme Audit Institution, the work of a Public Accounts Committee, and effective questioning.

This course is designed for elected or appointed parliamentarians and parliamentary staff. It offers an introduction to the main methods used to establish and run effective women’s parliamentary caucuses, based on the experiences of Parliaments across the Commonwealth and beyond. The course explores the process of establishing a women’s parliamentary caucus, covering key issues such as how institutions can garner support, challenge resistance, and take advantage of a window of opportunity to successfully establish their caucus. It outlines how to run an effective women’s parliamentary caucus, structuring caucuses, setting clear goals, establishing partnerships, remaining viable and engaging with male allies.

This online course is designed for newly elected or appointed parliamentarians. It is also valuable for candidates running in elections, who are keen to get ahead of the curve should they be elected. It is equally valuable for parliamentarian’s staff who are new to the parliamentary scene. The course provides a useful overview of the key components of being a parliamentarian. Modules cover topics on legislating, scrutinising and holding the executive to account. There are a range of practical sections covering managing an office, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, constituency engagement, personal safety, ethics, communication and working with external stakeholders.

This course is designed for elected or appointed parliamentarians and parliamentary staff. Throughout the course you will explore how to make your parliament accessible. It will focus on accessible communication strategies, unmasking misconceptions around disability and the importance of international frameworks. In addition, it will look at Equality and Inclusion Departments as well as the social benefits of increased accessibility. By the end of this Course, you will be able to ensure your Parliament is accessible for persons with disabilities. 

This course is designed for elected or appointed parliamentarians and parliamentary staff, with the CPA Small Branches Network in mind. It will explore the basics of climate change and how it impacts small jurisdictions, focusing on the science of climate change, disaster risk management and the importance of international frameworks. It will also look at how to mitigate against and adapt to the effects of climate change as well how to engage with the local community on this topic. This course will equip you with all the necessary tools to enact real change to combat climate change in your jurisdiction.