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The People’s Assembly, one of several mechanisms that Parliament arranges to encourage public participation in its processes, has been put on hold for this year.

This is to enable a thorough assessment of all sectoral Parliaments, including the People’s Assembly, in the context of the Public Participation Model which Parliament is preparing to develop.

Parliament seeks to deepen public participation and to ensure that all relevant programmes address the constitutional and political objectives as well as the key issues which have been raised previously, in reports and submissions, in relation to maximising citizens’ involvement in Parliament’s business.

The People’s Assembly is a joint programme of both Houses of Parliament. It is aimed at deepening democracy by providing people with an opportunity to participate in the oversight work and processes of Parliament at the site where the concerns exist and it is usually held in September.

It, therefore, makes sense that resources and focus be dedicated to the Model development process which will inform the future structure and approach to all sectoral parliaments.

Parliament’s programme over the next two months was also taken into account in arriving at the decision to postpone this year’s People’s Assembly.

Scheduled activities on the programme for the next two months include the Women’s Parliament, the National Council of Provinces week-long provincial visits and the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference. The Take-Parliament-to-the-People programme is scheduled for early in November.

The Public Participation Model also falls within this period. The intention is to enhance public participation in the work of the institution by making such participation integral and integrated into Parliament’s processes.

In developing the Public Participation Model, Parliament plans to enter into a partnership with citizens so that the model is shaped by the people whom it serves. It is expected that this process will have an impact on the future public participation strategy and conceptualisation of Parliament.

Parliament started the People’s Assembly programme in 2004.