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The National Council of Provinces Chairperson Ms Thandi Modise has told the international conference organised by the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly (Parliament) of Russia that Parliaments were the heart of democracy which represent people’s rights and aspirations, and must therefore be open, and transparent, accessible, accountable and effective.
 
The international conference, currently underway in the Russian capital Moscow, under the theme “the role of Parliaments in the modern world”, is being hosted by the Federation Council, the upper House of the Russian Federation Assembly (Parliament) to mark its 25th anniversary.
 
In her address as the conference’s first speaker, Ms Modise told delegates from various parliaments across the world that it was the role of parliamentarians to monitor the gaps and the lapses and correct the dis-connect between the people and the democratic institutions. “(Our role) is to educate and protect those we represent so that nothing is “unforeseen” and nothing is unplanned for as far as we can. With the advent of the new phase of the digital revolution, opportunities abound regarding stronger inter-parliamentary cooperation, effective oversight, lawmaking and public involvement,” said the NCOP Chairperson.
 
Our work, she stressed, must include absorbing and sharing the shocks – engaging and cooperating with civil society and other stakeholders to build stronger and independent institutions protecting democracy, which must translate into capacitated citizens of the world. “We are the primary forum for the poor, the marginalized.”
 
Congratulating the Federation Council on its 25th anniversary and underscoring the importance of such international conference, Ms Modise said that parliamentary diplomacy can be an effective tool to enhance cooperation, solidarity and people-to-people relations amongst countries and serve as mechanism for people-centered oversight over the executive arms of states.
 
“Our coming together as parliaments at this time happens when world economies are strained and citizens are under financial pressures; when world climatic condition continue to deteriorate; when poverty and internal conflict are on the increase giving rise to internal displacements, migration challenges and violent protests. We discuss the role of parliaments in enhancing democratic institutions at a time when populism and authoritarianism seem to be gaining ground. We ask the question: are democracy and freedom retreating in most countries?
 We notice lower levels of voter participation, falling memberships of political parties – splintering’s into smaller parties, and declining trust in politicians and institutions.”
 
Democracy, she said, must feature a constitutional government where the majority governs at the behest of the people; a belief in individual liberties and rights, equality by all before the law. “People and institutions are the strongest insurers of democracy.”
 
The NCOP Chairperson urged parliaments of the world to never waiver on principles, rights and ideals.
 
“We owe future generations a peaceful and developed world, rich in culture that embraces the reverence to human rights and the rule of law, seeking to achieve constitutionalism, well-grounded peace, order and democratic governance. South Africa wishes this Federation Council many more years as you continue to serve all the Russian people with diligence and dignity”.
 
Later today after the international conference’s formal programme, Ms Modise will meet with her Russian counterpart Mrs Valentina Matvienko where they will discuss a wide range of issues concerning their respective legislative bodies.
Ms Modise will conclude her programme in Moscow on Tuesday with an address to the roundtable event to commemorate the centenaries of Madiba and MaSisulu at the Institute for African Studies.
 

Issued by Parliament of South Africa