[Nay Pyi Taw] A five day induction programme concluded today has helped Myanmar’s predominantly new MPs prepare to take up their legislative, representative and oversight responsibilities. The Induction programme was the start of longer term capacity building efforts to support the second Hluttaw MP’s.
The induction programme was designed for and provided to members from all political parties represented in the Hluttaw. ‘
“By preparing all MPs to carry out their functions, I hope we can contribute to build a strong institution and support the democratic transition for the people and the nation,” said U Kyaw Soe, Director General of the Pyidaungsu.
“I have got experience of how to represent our constituents and how to carry out checks and balances on the government,” says Dr. Wai Phyo Aung, from the National League for Democracy.
An unprecedented high turnover of 87% new MPs after the general election in 2015 made it important for the Hluttaw to provide learning on their legislative, representative and oversight responsibilities.
The knowledge gained this week will serve as a foundation to be built upon.
“Since, most of the new MPs don’t have experience, by learning the experience of other countries and of MPs in the previous Hluttaw, we can perform our jobs smoothly and avoid unnecessary mistakes by learning from their experiences,” said Daw Htut May, Amyotha MP from the Arakan National Party.
Longer term capacity building for MPs will continue to be provided by the Hluttaw Learning Centre with the support of UNDP through master classes, seminars and specialized tutorials allowing MP’s to build upon the knowledge that they have gained this week. These processes will allow MP’s to enhance their skills and knowledge in priority policy areas identified by MPs during the induction programme and afterwards.
The Hluttaw organized the programme, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Current and former MPs from 9 countries, including Australia, Bhutan, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Timor Leste, and the United Kingdom were involved in the programme.