Sierra Leone   The Value of Engaging with Parliaments to Realize the 2030 Agenda Success story from Sierra Leone

Presentation Outline Sierra Leone Background to engaging Parliament What prompted the relationship with Parliament Confidence building and advancing the partnership Capacity building/training for Parliamentarians Issues attributed to success Challenges going forward Close Sierra Leone   05/02/2019

Background to engaging Parliament Sierra Leone Coalition 2030 first engagement with Parliament on the SDGs started in 2016 during the HLPF where members of the Coalition had the opportunity of meeting for the first time with the focal person for the newly established Parliamentary Action Group (PAG) – Hon. Dauda J.B. Kallon. Sierra Leone   05/02/2019

Background to engaging Parliament Considering the all-important role of parliament in realising implementation of the global commitments through their work on legislation, budget and most importantly holding the executive to account - Sierra Leone   05/02/2019

Background to engaging Parliament contd. Sierra Leone Coalition 2030 saw a very unique opportunity to build on our initial contact with the group and foster ‘a healthy working relationship’ something unheard of in our recent past due mostly to perceived animosity, mistrust and other vices that have plagued potential relationships over the years. Sierra Leone   05/02/2019

What prompted the relationship with Parliament The Coalition noted that both parties operates in the same sphere of national and international development and at various points of the spectrum of political processes, legislatures and now more so as it relates to new agenda. LOCAL GOVERNANCE FORUM 05/02/2019 Sierra Leone  

What prompted the relationship with Parliament contd. Also CSOs and parliament play complementary roles and can potentially facilitate and support each other in working towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Sierra Leone   05/02/2019

What prompted the relationship with Parliament contd. With this in mind we have both consciously worked towards improving our relationship which has now evolved from a challenging approach to one of mutual respect and common interests. Sierra Leone   LOCAL GOVERNANCE FORUM 05/02/2019

Confidence building &Advancing the partnership In a bid to build confidence and advance the partnership several follow-up meetings were held with; Clerk of Parliament Majority Leader Minority Leader Members of the Parliamentary Action Group (PAG) Sierra Leone   LOCAL GOVERNANCE FORUM 05/02/2019

Capacity building/training for Parliamentarians At the behest of members of the PAG a two day parliamentary retreat was planned and implemented. Sierra Leone   LOCAL GOVERNANCE FORUM 05/02/2019

Capacity building/training for Parliamentarians Sierra Leone   LOCAL GOVERNANCE FORUM 05/02/2019

Capacity building/training for Parliamentarians An outcome of the parliamentary retreat was the development and signing of an MOU with the House of Parliament Sierra Leone   LOCAL GOVERNANCE FORUM 05/02/2019

Issues attributed to success Political will on the part of government to engage on this all important global agenda Establishment of the Parliamentary Action Group by standing order Frankness on the part of parliamentarians in terms of lack of technical knowledge on the part of the parliamentarians Clear demonstration on the part of civil society that our engagement is mutually beneficial. Sierra Leone   LOCAL GOVERNANCE FORUM 05/02/2019

Challenges going forward High turnover of Parliamentarians (77% which is a total of 113 of its entire membership are first-term Members) and thus the need to further engage new members. Funding to continue engaging new parliamentarians i.e. for provision of technical training and capacity support. Sierra Leone   LOCAL GOVERNANCE FORUM 05/02/2019

THANK YOU ! MERCI ! Questions????? Danke ! LOCAL GOVERNANCE FORUM 05/02/2019