Head of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance’s (International IDEA) Constitution-Building Programme, Sumit Bisarya, has underscored the important role civil society organisations play in constitution reform.
Mr. Bisarya shared this view today when he met with members of civil society organisations, at the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business.
During the all-day session, he discussed the role of civil society organisations in constitution reform, how they can engage in the process, and the lessons learnt from other places across the globe, among others.
He told the Barbados Government Information Service: “Civil society organisations represent a wide variety of interests that the Constitutional Reform Commission needs to hear from. They also have broad networks that they can communicate information, not only to the Commission, or to politicians, but also to their members and to other citizens.”
Mr. Bisarya will deliver the Constitutional Reform Commission’s public lecture: Constitution Making in the 21st Century – Trends and Challenges, tomorrow, Friday, December 9, at the Henry Fraser Lecture Theatre, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the lecture.
The International IDEA’s Constitution-Building Programme provides knowledge and direct assistance in the area of constitutional transitions.
Mr. Bisarya has been engaged in constitution-building assistance programmes in a number of countries, including Chile, Haiti, Myanmar, Nepal, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Ukraine.