The Secretariat of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) recently concluded a three-day capacity building workshop on Research and Knowledge Management. The workshop served as a knowledge sharing session for the PAP personnel to exchange views and deepen their understanding of issues related to research and knowledge management within the institution.
The workshop was in line with the strategic objectives of the PAP, which identifies the strengthening of research and knowledge management as a key priority area. Held within the framework of the African Governance Architecture (AGA) project, the recently concluded training formed part of a series of capacity building sessions to be held to systematically examine, develop, and implement effective research and knowledge management systems for the PAP.
Mr. Vipya HARAWA, Clerk of the PAP says that the workshop informs and prepares PAP staff on how a Parliament should function in terms of research and knowledge management, and how these elements play a role in the formulation of legislation. In his remarks during the opening of the workshop, the Clerk of Parliament called on the Secretariat to use the workshop as an opportunity to aim for enhanced research and knowledge management services at the PAP to improve overall organizational performance, achieve strategic objectives and mission, and become an information hub for regional and national Parliaments on the continent.
“Research and knowledge management drive legislative business in a functional Parliament. The training enhances our skills on what we are currently and what we are expected to be – as a full-fledged legislative organ of the African Union. The workshop, therefore, offers an opportunity to share best practices with the aim to equip staff with skills in research and generation of knowledge as well as the development of a knowledge management strategy with enhanced research, information, and reporting systems. The workshop also forms part of the various capacity building exercises for staff as we await the election of our political principals,” says Mr. Harawa.
The workshop on research and knowledge management comprised presentations, discussions, and interactions on numerous issues. These include research services in the parliamentary landscape, fundamentals of knowledge management, knowledge management systems and the role of library services in parliamentary research.
The next capacity building workshop for the Secretariat of the PAP, as part of the AGA project, will cover oversight, representation, and diplomacy. The technical meeting is scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 December 2021. The training will explore the development of tools to enhance the effectiveness of the PAP in the areas of oversight, representation, and diplomacy.
