Module 1 from 1 to 5 October 2018

Grand Mekong Ballroom Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Training Seminar

An Overview of Parliamentary Responsibilities: Strengthening the Institutions

Foreword

On behalf of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Parliamentary Institution of Cambodia (PIC), we are delighted to welcome you to the first edition of our Training Seminar entitled “An Overview of Parliamentary Responsibilities: Strengthening the Institutions”.

This event represents not only an outstanding occasion to learn and share experiences about various aspects of parliamentary work but also to create a community of practice: the aim is to foster knowledge exchange among parliamentary practitioners (North-South , South-South and North-North), and academicians and researchers who have a particular interest in parliamentary matters. We also want to promote capacity building opportunities for parliamentary staff in our region, and hope that this initiative will facilitate the development of long-lasting ties between participants from ASEAN-Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Member Parliaments. In a wider context, our wish is that this event will also promote links with our counterparts from Parliaments in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.

The themes and topics selected for module 1 aim to provide a general understanding of the structure and functioning of the various Parliaments represented, as well as to look in more detail at specific aspects related to the legislative and representative functions of Parliamentarians.

These provide not only knowledge about how roles are performed in various legislatures but also examples of good parliamentary practice. We hope that this module will inspire reflection about how good practices can be adapted to the realities and contexts of your own administrations and contribute to institutional strengthening.

Finally, we hope that you will enjoy your stay in Cambodia, known as the Kingdom of Wonder. It is a country valued for the warmth and kindness of its inhabitants and the richness of its cultural heritage. Through the activities program we have prepared for you on Day 5, you will have a chance to see some of its sights including the Royal Palace and the National Museum. You will also witness the signs of the fast-paced evolution of our beloved capital Phnom Penh through a city tour.

We wish you all an interesting and fruitful training seminar and enjoyable stay with us.

OUM Sarith Secretary General Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia

KIM YEAT, Dararith Executive Director

Parliament Institute of Cambodia

About the Training Seminar

The Training Seminar on Parliamentary Responsibilities builds on PIC’s needs-oriented Knowledge Exchange Program which aims to contribute to strengthening parliamentary staff capacity. As part of this wider program, PIC supports a series of short-term training programs, projects and activities that aim to increase interaction and exchanges between parliamentary staff from AIPA Member Parliaments. The overall objective is to offer a wide range of learning opportunities to parliamentary staff in the region.

The event is divided into two modules: Module 1, scheduled in October 2018 is taking place in Phnom Penh, while Module 2, planned for December 2018, will be held in Siem Reap.

The objectives of this training activity are to:

1. Share theoretical and practical knowledge about specific aspects of parliamentary responsibilities, using examples from countries such as Belgium, Canada, France, Sweden and the US, among others;

2. Facilitate networking opportunities and the exchange of good practice between Parliaments (North-South and Regional/South-South);

3. Initiate the development of a body of knowledge in parliamentary affairs and practice in the ASEAN region.

Target participants are staff from AIPA Member Parliaments. They will be coming from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. Secretaries-General have also been invited and will join some of the sessions.

Resource persons (presenters) come from various legislatures around the world including the French National Assembly, the European Parliament, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Canada), the State Parliament of Zurich (Switzerland), the Swedish Parliament, the National Assembly of Quebec (Canada) and the Federation of Wallonia-Brussels (Belgium).

Topics covered during the training seminar (module 1) will include, among others, the different systems of Parliament, the plenary session, the work of committees, the political groups, parliamentary research, the relationship with constituents and other stakeholders, and parliamentary communications.

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PRESENTERS

SPEAKERS

FACILITATORS

OVERALL PROGRAM

SUMMARY OF PRESENTATIONS

EMBASSY INFORMATION

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

INTRODUCTION TO PHNOM PENH

SPEAKERS

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H.E. Mr. OUM Sarith has devoted most of his professional career to the development of the Cambodian Senate. With his dedication to parliamentary work, he has been the Secretary General of the Senate since the first legislature.

He has extensive experience in the areas of international relations as he spent almost 10 years - from 1979 to 1988 - as chief of bureau in the department of Russian Affairs, first secretary of the Embassy of Cambodia in Moscow, and chief of the international relations office.

In the international arena, he has served as the Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Association of Secretaries General of the Parliaments of Francophone, in charge of Asia Pacific, for four terms since 2012.

In addition, he served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Secretaries General of the Parliaments from 2008 to 2011.

OUM Sarith Secretary General

Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia

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The Hon. Mr. Isra Sunthornvut was appointed Secretary-General of AIPA in 2016 at the 37th AIPA General Assembly, held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

He was first elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bangkok under the Democrat Party in 2001 and has since been involved in Thai politics in various capacities. These include Spokesman and Advisor to the Bangkok Governor, Secretary to the Opposition Leader of the House of Representatives (two terms), Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister (Abhisit Vejjajiva), Vice Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office (attached to the Prime Minister), and Party List MP.

From 2001 to the present, Mr. Sunthornvut has been a columnist for the Thai Post and has contributed numerous articles for a variety of publications. He holds a Master of Arts degree in European Studies from Chulalongkorn University, and was awarded the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant Royal Decoration in 2013. He is married with two children.

SUNTHORNVUT Isra AIPA Secretary General 2016-2019

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Mr. KIM YEAT has worked in a broad range of institutions and organizations in France, Cambodia and Singapore. His roles include Advisor to European Commission, Deputy Director of the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI), Manager of a legislative support project for the Parliamentary Centre of Canada, and General Director of FCE-Asia. He has carried out legal and policy consultancies for the World Bank, UNDP, EU, and CIDA.

He is also a member of the Cambodian Bar Association, an arbitrator with the Arbitration Council and a member of Friends/Mith Samlanh’s Board of Directors. Mr Kim Yeat was educated in France, Canada and Cambodia. He has a B.A. in Business Administration and Management, a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the Institut d’Éudes Politiques and a Master’s Degree in Law and Economics in France.

Mr. KIM YEAT was in charge of the creation of the Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia and continues to lead its operations and growth in accordance with its core values and mandates.

KIM YEAT, Dararith Executive Director

Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia

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Laura Anthony has been working as a Research Officer with the Legislative Research Service at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for two years. During this time she has provided research support to MPPs on a broad range of public policy issues and has served on a variety of legislative committees, including the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Prior to joining the Assembly, Laura was the Research Manager at the Samara Centre for Democracy, a prominent Canadian think tank focused on supporting parliamentary democracy. As the Research Manager she frequently travelled across Canada to discuss Samara’s research. She holds a Master of Arts from Western University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Toronto, both in political science.

ANTHONY LauraResearch Officer

the Legislative Research Service, Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Canada)

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Gabrielle Guerrero is a graduate of Paris’s School of Political Sciences (Sciences Po Paris) with a Masters of Public and Private Law. She joined the staff of the French National Assembly in 2008.

After 7 years working for the Social Affairs Committee as an advisor on labor law and employment policy issues, Ms. Guerrero moved to the Inter-parliamentary Cooperation Unit in 2015 where she is heading up a 3-year European twinning program to support the Tunisian Parliament.

Ms. Guerrero has also taught classes in social affairs at Sciences Po Paris.

GUERRERO GabrielleAdviser / Inter-parliamentary

Cooperation Unit, French National Assembly

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Mr. KIM Sochetra graduated with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Flinders University, South Australia, in 2004. He started to work for the National Assembly in 1998 and since 1999, he has worked for the Senate. In 2006, he was promoted as Chief of the International Relations Office and in 2009 he took up the position of Director of the newly-created General Research Department of the General Secretariat of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

KIM Sochetra Director of the General Research Department

of the General Secretariat of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia

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Xavier Nuttin has devoted most of his professional career to developing relations between the EU and Asia. He is currently Senior Associate and Member of the Advisory Board of the European Institute of Asian Studies (EIAS), a think tank in Brussels.

He acquired a wide experience of the Asian continent, including political, cultural, human rights and rule of law aspects through postings in ASEAN member states (Thailand and Vietnam), among which 8 years as EU diplomat and 4 years as UNESCO expert. He has also spent one year as EU Fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy attached to the National University of Singapore. He became an official of the European Commission in 1993, working on development cooperation in the Asia Directorate. Xavier Nuttin was from June 2005 to March 2018 Senior Asia Analyst in the Policy Unit of the Directorate General for External Affairs of the European Parliament. His main responsibility was to provide tailor-made political analysis of Asian countries and of EU-Asia relations, to advice parliamentary bodies and to build parliamentary relations between the two regions.

NUTTIN XavierSenior Associate and Advisory Board Member

European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)

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Dr. Rathana Peou joined PIC in 2017 under a collaborative project with the Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) and Utrecht University, with the responsibility to develop PIC’s first Climate Change Impacts and Policies course. She now holds the position of Capacity Development Director at PIC while being a Policy Researcher at Utrecht University. Prior to this she was CCAFS Regional Scenarios Coordinator for six years, attached to the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) at Oxford University. Dr. Rathana’s interests lie in the “four inviolable principles”: food security, water security, energy security and social “health” security. Her research concentrates on food security, agriculture and climate change issues within the ASEAN Member States. More recently, she has focused on climate-related parliamentary diplomacy and legislation. She holds a PhD in Political Science majoring in Philosophy. Prior to 2012, she worked for three years in Bangladesh as the Deputy Director of the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) and as Associate Professor at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB). She has in the past worked as an international consultant and humanitarian worker in Sudan, Pakistan and Bangladesh for several agencies including DFID, USAID, ECHO, DIPECHO, AFD, the EU and the ADB.

PEOU Rathana Capacity Development Director

Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia

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For 22 years now, Moritz von Wyss has been thinking about and working for parliament as an institution, both in a scientific and a professional function. After university, he started as a researcher at Parliamentary Services, assisting the committees for constitutional revision of the Swiss Parliament in Berne, the Swiss capital. He stayed on, working for seven years as legal advisor and deputy head of Legal Services. Since 2010, he is managing the parliamentary services of the state parliament of Zurich.

From parliamentary myths to the mathematics of democracy, he has chosen topics for scientific research that demonstrate and illustrate the importance and the character of parliament. He is a lecturer at the University of Berne for parliamentary law und he has supervised two complete revisions of federal and state parliamentary law. Apart from all aspects of parliament that still fascinate him after all these years, he loves reading, the theatre and jogging. He is married and lives in Zurich, Switzerland.

VON WYSS, MoritzDirector of Parliamentary Services

State Parliament of Zurich

FACILITATORS

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John Christopher has worked an Analyst at the Parliamentary Information and Research Service (PIRS) in the Parliament of Canada for over 30 years. He has provided research support to parliamentarians and parliamentary committees in the fields of transportation, security, Canada-US relations and urban affairs. This included writing committee reports (for the Standing Committee on Transportation and the Canada-US Inter-Parliamentary Group), analyzing legislation and government policies as well as supervising and mentoring research staff. In addition, he has been involved in capacity development of research staff in countries such as Cambodia, Kenya, Russia, and the United States. He holds a Bachelors’ degree from the University of British Columbia in Urban Geography and has worked in the regional planning and transportation fields prior to joining PIRS. He has been involved in the establishment of the PIC since its inception.

CHRISTOPHER John Institutional Development Director

Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia

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Martina Fors Mohlin has served as the First Secretary at the Swedish Embassy in Cambodia for two years, managing the Swedish portfolio in Public Financial Management. Ms. Fors Mohlin has work for over 12 years with Sida, the Swedish International Development Agency. This is her third posting to an Embassy, and the second time in Cambodia. A political scientist by training, Ms Fors Mohlin specializes in good governance, institutional capacity development, human rights and support for civil society. She has also worked with the World Bank, European Commission and the Swedish Foreign Ministry.

FORS MOHLIN, Martina First Secretary

Public Finance Management (PFM) Coordinator Embassy of Sweden in Phnom Penh

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Periowsamy Otharam, more affectionately known as P O Ram, is a consultant with Straits Law Practice LLC’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice. He began his legal career in the Singapore Legal Service as Deputy Public Prosecutor in the Attorney-General’s Chambers. Thereafter, he undertook various appointments including that of Senior State Counsel. P O Ram also has extensive experience in parliamentary work. He served as Clerk of Parliament and Secretary of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights from 1995 to 2005. He was later appointed Secretary-General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Association from 2013 to 2016. After a career in public service, P O Ram entered into private practice primarily handling criminal litigation. He is also a Justice of the Peace.

PERIOWSAMY Otharam Legal Consultant

Straits Law Practice LLC

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Dr Darith Phat is currently Professor of Public and Corporate Finance at the Royal University of Law and Economics and Pannasastra University in Cambodia. Prior to that, he taught at the Ecole Centrale de Paris, and Georgetown University. He has been a board director of the Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia since 2016 and is currently running the World Foundation for Asia.

Dr Phat had been involved in organizing informal meetings between Cambodian senior government officials and their Asian counterparts as well as drafting the law on the issuance of corporate securities.

He is a graduate of the Institute for Management Development from Lausanne (IMD), the Ecole Centrale de Paris (ECP), and the University of California in San Diego (UCSD).

PHAT Darith Board Director

Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia

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H.E. La-or Putornjai recently retired from the position of Advisor on Legislative Procedure of the Secretariat of the Thai Senate. She began her career at the Secretariat as a Public Relations official at the Bureau of Public Relations. During that time, as Supervisor of the Public Relations Division, she was responsible for supervising and reporting foreign news to Senators on a daily basis. Then, from 2005 to 2015, she was appointed Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs of the Secretariat of the Thai Senate. Over the years, Mrs. La-or has gained extensive experience and expertise in the field of parliamentary work. She played an essential role in initiating and consolidating networks between the Secretariat and other organizations, particularly with foreign Parliaments including that of Cambodia. She was later appointed Deputy Secretary General from 2015 to 2016 and was ultimately promoted to serve as Advisor on Legislative Procedure in the Secretariat of the Thai Senate responsible for Foreign Affairs until her retirement in September 2018.

PUTORNJAI La-Or Advisor on Legislative Procedure of the

Secretariat of the Thai Senate Responsible for Foreign Affairs

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DAY 1: Monday 1 October 2018

8:30—9:00Registration 9:00—9:35Opening session

9:55—12:00Session 1: Characteristics, achievements and challenges of ASEAN Parliaments

12:00—13:30Lunch Break 13:30—15:50Session 1 (continuation): Characteristics, achievements and challenges of ASEAN Parliaments

18:30—20:30Welcome reception at the hotel

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DAY 2: Tuesday 2 October 2018

8:30—9:00Registration

9:00—11:00Session 1 (cont.): Presentations on characteristics, achievements and challenges of ASEAN Parliaments

11:00—12:00Session 2: Various political systems and introduction of the French, Swiss and European systems

12:00—13:30Lunch Break 13:30—16:20Session 2 (cont.): Various political systems and introduction of the French, Swiss and European systems

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DAY 3: Wednesday 3 October 2018

8:30—9:00Registration

9:15—12:00Session 3: The legislature procedure

12:00—13:30Lunch Break 13:30—14:10Session 3 (cont.): The legislature procedure

14:10—16:50Session 4: Parliamentary Research

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DAY 4: Thursday 4 October 2018

8:30—9:00Registration

9:15—12:00Session 5: The work of the parliamentary committees

12:00—13:30Lunch Break 13:30—14:45Session 6: Parliamentary outreach

15:05-16:00 Feedback and award of certificates of participation

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DAY 5: Friday 5 October 2018

Cultural activities

8:20Pick up from the hotel

8:30-10:00Visit of the Royal Palace

10:10-11:40Visit of the National Museum

11:40-12:20City tour 12:30-14:00Lunch

14:00-15:45 Visit of Psar Thmey (Central Market)

15:45-17:45 Visit of Aeon Mall

17:45 Return to the hotel

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SUMMARY OFPRESENTATIONS

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Various political systemsBy Ms. Laura Anthony, Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Political systems can be organized in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most important difference is in the relationship between the executive and the legislative branch. This presentation will review the differences among three different systems: parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential (a hybrid of the two). Each political system has its own set of challenges and opportunities, for example, a parliamentary system can have clearer lines of accountability and may be more efficient in passing legislation; but power can often centralize in the hands of the executive. In a presidential system the direct election of the president is argued to be more democratic and the separation of powers can prevent majority rule, but it can also cause gridlock between the different branches. This session will examine the features of each system in greater detail.

The French political systemBy Ms. Gabrielle Guerrero, French National Assembly

The French institutions borrow classic elements from both parliamentary and presidential systems. At the center lies the President of the Republic who is the real institutional ‘keystone’. Through his arbitration, he ensures “the proper functioning of the public authorities”. The Prime Minister directs the actions of the Government, which must “determine and conduct the policy of the Nation”, and can call upon the President of the Republic to dissolve the National Assembly. Parliament is made up of two assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate, which both examine and pass laws, monitor the Government and assess public policies. The National Assembly can vote the Government out of office.

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The political system of Switzerland from a parliamentary perspectiveBy Mr. Moritz von Wyss, State Parliament of Zurich

The political system of Switzerland is traditionally characterized by terms like ‘federalism’, ‘a collegial system of government’, ‘concordance’ and a ‘semi-direct democracy’. All of these have their justification but also a certain vagueness. They indicate that, over the past 170 years, no single political force has been able to gain a permanent majority in this small country, and that this has led to the development of a multi-layered political system. In reaching political decisions, time after time the political stakeholders (e.g., the political parties) have been compelled to put considerable energy into seeking a majority. In short, Switzerland has a system with a multi-level discursive decision-making process and changing majorities. Defining elements are, most notably, the people’s right to political participation by means of initiatives or referenda, as well as a strongly segmented regime of power sharing on all levels.

The functioning of a regional and supra-national parliament: the European ParliamentBy Mr. Xavier Nuttin, European Institute for Asian Studies

The European Parliament, established in 1952, is a unique example of multinational and multilingual democracy at work. Since then its powers have greatly expanded and, with the Lisbon Treaty which was a key milestone, it has become the EU’s co-legislator together with the EU Council. As the only directly elected EU body (since 1979) it benefits from full democratic legitimacy. After a brief historical introduction the presentation will explain the electoral process (next elections are to take place in May 2019) before reviewing the main powers of the EP: legislative, budgetary, control. It will also address the broad functioning of the Institution (covering both the secretariat and the elected members) and then make a short comparative analysis with AIPA, the parliamentary branch of ASEAN.

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The plenary session – from the preparation to the holding: the French ParliamentBy Ms. Gabrielle Guerrero, French National Assembly

According to the French Constitution, the plenary session agenda is shared between the Government and Parliament. It is determined by the Conference of Presidents in four-week sequences: two weeks are allocated to the exclusive initiatives of the Government and two weeks to the initiatives of the National Assembly, one of which is dedicated to the monitoring of Government action and the assessment of public policies. One day per month is devoted to an agenda reserved for opposition and minority group initiatives. The tabling of a bill requires that precise prior formalities are followed and that the conditions for admissibility are fulfilled, which are different for Government or Members’ bills. A specific department is in charge of preparing the plenary sitting at the French National Assembly: the Table Office.

The plenary session in the Swiss Federal Assembly and cantonal ParliamentsBy Mr. Moritz von Wyss, State Parliament of Zurich

In all Swiss Parliaments the plenary sessions are structured as follows: introductory debate, detailed consideration and vote on a bill in its entirety, or final vote. On national level, the Federal Assembly is a two-chamber system that deals with proposals in a shortened so-called ‘shuttle’ procedure (Fr. navette parlementaire), during which a bill goes back and forth between the two chambers - the National Council and the Council of States. In contrast, the one-chamber cantonal Parliaments conduct a first reading of a bill and a second reading about a month later, the latter serving mainly editorial purposes. The majority proposals of the committees, often complemented by minority proposals, form the basis for the procedures in the plenary session. Additionally, assembly members can submit individual written or oral proposals. The items of business are categorized in different forms of debate: free, organized or reduced

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debate, limiting the right to speak in terms of duration, or depending on the function of the speaker (e.g., the right to speak for speakers of the majority or minority parties, or the proponents of individual proposals only). The main role of the Parliamentary Services is the actual preparation, support and post-processing of the plenary sessions.

The legislative debate in the context of the French ParliamentBy Ms. Gabrielle Guerrero, French National Assembly

At the French National Assembly, the discussion of a bill in a plenary session takes place in two phases: the general examination phase and the detailed examination phase. The general examination phase is essentially a presentation phase, during which procedural motions may also be introduced. The Conference of Presidents sets an overall time limit for the discussion, divided then between the political groups according to their membership. The detailed examination phase consists of the discussion of the bill, article by article, and of all the amendments relating to them, called in a specific order, and the votes on them. Once adopted, the bill is transmitted without delay to the other Assembly (the Senate) which examines it in the framework of a `shuttle’ process.

The political groups (in the European Parliament)By Mr. Xavier Nuttin, European Institute for Asian Studies

The European parliament has currently 751 Members (MEPs) affiliated in 8 political groups. Some MEPs sit as Non-attached members. Each political group brings together elected representatives from different EU Member States but sharing a similar political affiliation. The main criteria for a MEP to join a group is therefore political (like in a national parliament). However there are national sections in each political group and national interests may sometime conflict with political choices decided by the group. The presentation will explain the conditions to create a political group, and the benefits that derive from being able to create such a body. It will then discuss the role and powers of the groups and their daily functioning.

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The case of the Legislative Assembly of OntarioBy Ms. Laura Anthony, Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Parliamentarians are expected to propose and debate a wide range of issues, hold governments to account and scrutinize their activities. Public policy has become increasingly complex, and access to high-quality, authoritative, and unbiased information can be limited. To perform their roles, Members need access to independent, non-partisan research and information. Parliamentary libraries and research services can provide this type of information and analysis to support Members. This session will examine the methodology of parliamentary research and the best practices used by Ontario’s Legislative Library and Research Service to support the work of its 124 parliamentarians and their staff. It will outline how to produce high-quality, fact-based, non-partisan research to meet Members’ needs.

Parliamentary research capacity development for parliamentary staff By Dr. Rathana Peou, Parliament Institut of Cambodia, PIC

Well-resourced parliamentary research services are one of the key building blocks of an effective Parliament and its government. Global trends indicate that parliamentary research services increasingly deal with more complex scientific, technical and transnational issues that require a robust set of knowledge, intellectual abilities and techniques to do research. At a time when there is no time, when knowledge needs to be instantaneous, when requests time is more brief, this presentation will take a step back and ask what is parliamentary research capacity and knowledge development for parliamentary staff? It will look at different models at both international and regional levels to finally contextualize to Southeast Asia and reflect on PIC’s current pedagogical methods to develop knowledge and research skills through its “learning by doing “approach.

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The contribution of parliamentary research to the functions of the Cambodian Senate By Mr. KIM Sochetra, General Secretariat of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia

The Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia is elected in a non-universal election by commune/Sangkat councilors from the country’s eight regions for a six-year term; it is composes of 62 Senators, ten Commissions and various caucuses. It is supported by a General Secretariat. The General Department of Legal Service and Collective Territory (LSCT) is a subordinate unit of the Senate General Secretariat responsible for providing procedural services and advice to the Senate Permanent Committees, Commissions, Senator Groups and Secretary General. It is also in charge of delivering parliamentary research services. This presentation will discuss some of the challenges experienced by the research unit and highlight the ways forward to improve the parliamentary research services for the Senate.

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) By Mr. Xavier Nuttin, European Institute for Asian Studies

The EPRS became active in 2014 in order to provide individual MEPs with analysis of, and research on, policy issues relating to the EU in order to support parliamentary work. It is divided into three departments: the Library, the Members’ research service and the Impact assessment and European added value department. It works in association with the 5 Policy departments which provide similar services to the EP’s committees and delegations and which, for the time being, remain outside the EPRS. The presentation will provide an overview of the products provided by the EPRS such as briefings, events and workshops.

The experience of the French Parliament By Ms. Gabrielle Guerrero, French National Assembly

As the essential working bodies of the French National Assembly, the standing

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committees have a dual role: to prepare the legislative debates in plenary sessions and to inform the National Assembly and monitor the Government. The constitutional revision of 23 July 2008 introduced rules whereby most of the bills debated in plenary sessions are those that emanate from the work of the committees, led by a rapporteur, and increased the maximum number of standing committees from six to eight. The Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly states the committees’ names and their areas of responsibility. Each committee is run by a board that reflects the political composition of the Assembly. MPs may be members of only one standing committee.

The experience of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario By Ms. Laura Anthony, Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Much of the work of a parliament—including the function of providing oversight of the administration of government—is carried out by its parliamentary committees. Committees are a forum where Members of all parties can hear from the public and conduct detailed consideration of legislative and other public policy matters. This session will review the structure and operation of the nine committees in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, which perform varying tasks, from financial accountability and oversight to reviewing legislation. The session will examine the challenges faced by Ontario’s Legislative Library and Research Service while supporting parliamentary committees and share advice on how a research service can help support the work of committees and make them more effective.

The experience of the European ParliamentBy Mr. Xavier Nuttin, European Institute for Asian Studies

The 20 standing committees (plus two sub-committees), each covering a different policy area, are the engines of the European Parliament’s powers. They prepare Parliament’s position on legislative proposals through reports, hearings and draft resolutions. They conduct negotiations with the EU Council; review and approve annual budgets; scrutinize European Commission’s activities and hold the executive to account. They may also submit non-legislative reports to

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influence and shape EU policies. The presentation will review all those activities and explain how those committees work in practice.

The relationship with constituents and other stakeholdersBy Mr. Moritz von Wyss, State Parliament of Zurich

In Switzerland, the semi-direct democracy, initiatives and referenda have enshrined an understanding of the State in which the people are part of the decisive power and therefore part of the State. Due to the small-scale structures of the three levels of State – the federal State, the cantons and the municipalities – many citizens are in some way involved in politics, be it with a political mandate or a private commitment. The Members of Parliament have a role as intermediaries between the State and the citizens within the whole political process and therefore have an extended network. The use of traditional media channels and the exchange with the public through social media is central for Members of Parliament in order to position themselves topically and to identify the needs and concerns of the voting public. In addition, the parties can position themselves or intervene by launching popular initiatives and referenda. During the 20th century members of Parliament took on a large part of the lobby work themselves through their memberships of interest groups. Nowadays, this identification is less apparent and less transparent: political stakeholders influence the political process through a number of channels.

Communications By Ms. Gabrielle Guerrero, French National Assembly

The communication policy of the French National Assembly is laid down by the Communication and Press Delegation of the Board. It consists of a variety of activities such as the organization of tours in the Palais Bourbon and exhibitions, the provision of access to parliamentary proceedings and documents as well as to the internet site. It is also responsible for the National Assembly’s presence on social networks, for managing press relations and informing journalists, for organizing events and for developing teaching tools especially for children. A Parliamentary Television Channel was set up in 1999 and broadcasts parliamentary, educational and civic programs.

INTRODUCTION TO PHNOM PENH

PopulationApproximately 2.2 million (including the metropolitan area)

Getting aroundTuk tuk is the basic form of transport used by many people living or touring Phnom Penh. PassApp is one of the most popular applications used to get around in the city.

Royal PalaceThe Royal Palace was built in 1866 by the French. Among various buildings within its walls, the Throne Hall ranks as the most important. This Khmer-style building was erected only in 1917. It is used only on special occasions. Attached to the Throne Hall is a tower of 59 meters high.The Silver Pagoda (or the temple of the Emerald Buddha), formerly a wooden building, was rebuilt in 1962 in concrete and marble. The pagoda is floored with over 5000 silver tiles each weighing 1 kilo. It is famous for its 90 kg solid gold Buddha made in 1907 and an emerald Buddha said to be made of baccarat crystal.Note: During the visit of the Royal Palace, visitors should wear a blouse covering their arms, shoulders and long skirts covering legs (no short miniskirt or short trousers).

National Museum Situated at the North of the Palace grounds, the Khmer-style building was designed in 1920 by a French architect. The most important artifacts are sculptures from the Angkor era and before.

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Wat Phnom A Buddhist pagoda built in 1372, Wat Phnom stands 27 meters (88.5 ft) above the ground. It is the tallest religious structure in the city. The pagoda was given the name of Wat Preah Chedey Borapaut. Wat Phnom is the central point of Phnom Penh.

Tuol Sleng Genocide MuseumThe site is a former high school which was used as the Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime. Tuol Sleng was just one of at least 150 execution centers established by the Khmer Rouge.

EMBASSY INFORMATION

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Embassy of Brunei in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ADDRESS: No.237, Pasteur Street 51Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang I Khan Chamkar MonTELEPHONE: (+855) 23 211 457 / 8FAX: (+855) 23 211 456EMAIL: phnompenh.cambodia@mfa.gov.bn, brunei@online.com.kh

Embassy of Indonesia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ADDRESS: No.1, Street 466 Corner Norodom Boulevard 90, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Daun Penh District, P.O. Box 894TELEPHONE: (+855) (23) 217-934, (+855) (23) 216-148FAX: (+855) (23) 217-566EMAIL: phnompenh.kbri@kemlu.go.id, kbri-ppenh@online.com.khWEBSITE: www.kemlu.go.id/phnompenh/OFFICE HOURS: 08.00-12.30 and 14.00-17.00

Embassy of Laos in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ADDRESS: No.15-17, Mao Tsetung Bld, Khan Chamkar Mon, P.O Box 19TELEPHONE: (+855) 23 997 931FAX: (+855) (23) 720 907EMAIL: lao_embkh2014@hotmail.comOFFICE HOURS: 08.30-11.30 and 14.00-16.30

Embassy of Myanmar in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ADDRESS: No.181 Preah Norodon Boulevard, Boeung Keng Kang 1, Khan Chamcarmon

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TELEPHONE: (+855) (23) 223 761 / 2FAX: (+855) (23) 223 763EMAIL: mephnompenh@yahoo.comOFFICE HOURS: 08.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.30

Embassy of the Philippines in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ADDRESS: No.182 Norodom Boulevard, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan ChamcarmonTELEPHONE: (+855) 23 222 303 / 4FAX: (+855) 23 215 143EMAIL: phnompenh.pe@dfa.gov.ph, phnompenhpe@ezecom.com.khWEBSITE: phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.phOFFICE HOUR: 08.00-17.00

Embassy of Thailand in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ADDRESS: No.196 Preah Norodom Boulevard, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkar Mon TELEPHONE: (+855) 23 726 306 - 8FAX: (+855) 23 726 303EMAIL: thaipnp@mfa.go.thWEBSITE: www.thaiembassy.org/phnompenh/OFFICE HOURS: 08.30–12.00 and 14.00–17.00

Embassy of Vietnam in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ADDRESS: No.436, Monivong BoulevardTELEPHONE: (+855) 23 726 274FAX: (+855) 23 726 495EMAIL: ttcpc@mofa.gov.vn, vnembpnh@angkornet.com.khWEBSITE: www.vietnamembassy-cambodia.orgOFFICE HOURS: 08.00-11.30 and 14.00-16.30

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Emergency Contacts

Police : 117Fire : 118Ambulance : 119

Ms. Kunthea Kong,Parliamentary Relations Coordinator HP: 012 954 778

Ms. Sabrina Ouellet, Regional Program CoordinatorHP: 010 713 740

PIC address: SENATE compound, Vimeanrath Chamkar Mon, Preah Norodom Blvd.,

Phnom Penh, Cambodia+855 (0) 11 761 716 / +855 (0) 23 210 055/6

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