THIRD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
OF THE
INTER-PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR SOCIAL SERVICE (IPSS)
Jeju, Korea
August 23–25, 2006

The Third Executive Committee Meeting of the Inter-Parliamentarians for Social Service (IPSS) was held from August 23 to August 25, 2006, in Jeju, Republic of Korea, under the Chairmanship of Hon. Lee Kyeong-Jae, President of the IPSS. As the Vice-President of the IPSS and member of the Executive Committee, Mr. Bryon Wilfert, M.P., P.C. was the Canadian delegate who was invited to participate at this meeting.

 

The three-day meeting was attended by representatives from the Republic of Korea, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Sudan and by a representative from the Mongolian Embassy, who took on the role as an observer. The Executive Committee deliberated on the agenda for the Third IPSS General Assembly and a Draft Business Plan. The Executive Committee is expected to meet again in January 2007 prior to the Third General Assembly, in August 2007. Both venues are yet to be determined.

The Program

The central aim of the conference was to exchange ideas among members of the Executive Committee and to provide a collaborative draft of a business plan. A discussion was held on a proposed agenda for the Third IPSS General Assembly, which included suggestions for topics for the Address by Heads of Delegation and topics for General Debate.

In addition to the orders of business, the delegates attended a dinner hosted by the IPSS President, a luncheon hosted by the Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province as well as a dinner hosted by the IPSS Honorary President.

The Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province outlined the Aggressive Tourism Strategy for Jeju Island as well as talking about the benefits of a tax-free international zone.

IPSS Draft Business Plan

A thorough discussion was held on an IPSS Draft Business Plan. The plan entails three interrelated parts: it establishes the roles of the IPSS, it outlines the necessary actions to fulfill those roles effectively, and it includes both concerns and objectives for the future of IPSS.

1.  Roles of IPSS:

a)    The IPSS should play a more proactive role as an association of parliaments with effective policy tools such as the authority to allocate budget and legislate.

b)    Simultaneously, however, the IPSS is not an executive authority and should not be overambitious about its role or the contributions it can make in providing the needed social services;

c)    Therefore, in order for the IPSS to achieve both a realistic and effective program to provide the needed social services, the IPSS must carefully consider and balance the needs of the recipient countries with the donor countries.

2.  Action Plan:

a)    Sharing information and identifying the best practices is required to uphold the above objectives.

·         As suggested by the Committee, setting up a clearing house which acts as a medium in which relevant information can be shared is a practical way to exchange ideas.

·         Furthermore, it was suggested that beyond the shared practices of recipients and donor countries, the IPSS should seek advices of experts.

b)    Identifying areas of social services that the IPSS should concentrate on such as landmine sweeping, health and medical services, environmental protection etc…and to select target areas for a specific time period.

·         The potential areas that were decided to be selected at the 3^rd IPSS General Assembly are, providing sanitary drinking water and eradicating pandemics such as malaria and AIDS.

b)    Monitoring, coordinating and expediting activities of different key players that ranges from local to national to international governments and organizations.

c)    Connecting and linking activities of other inter-parliamentary organizations, such as IPU, AIPO, AAPP etc…

·         Seek ways to introduce the activities of the IPSS to the upcoming IPU General Assemblies.

·         Draft and submit a report on the activities of the IPSS to the IPU.

3.  Future Action Plans

a.    The Executive Committee decided to seek additional input from those members who were unable to attend.  Since IPSS has only been in existence for three years, the establishment of an effective business plan with appropriate support was considered imperative in moving the organization forward.

*This draft business plan reflects the discussion that took place at the 3^rd Executive Meeting however, it must be noted that the final version will include the feedback and responses of members who were absent.

b.    The 3^rd Executive Committee reaffirmed the decision of the 2^nd General Assembly that the 3^rd General Assembly should be held in August 2007. It was decided that the venue should be determined no later than October, to give the host country time to prepare.

c)    It was also agreed in principle that another Executive Committee Meeting should be held before the 3^rd General Assembly, in January 2007. The venue is yet to be determined.

In closing, it was decided that the record of the discussion would be distributed to all members of the Executive Committee for their feedback and suggestions and a final version of the business plan will then be circulated to the entire IPSS membership.

Conclusion

The 3^rd Executive Committee Meeting of the IPSS proved to be a useful and constructive opportunity where delegates were able to contribute towards a business plan outlining both the objectives and tools required to deliver social services to countries in an effective and realistic manner. It is a privilege for the Canadian Parliament to have representation on the Executive Committee. As a member, it provides an opportunity for Canadian values to be incorporated in this global dialogue.

 

Respectfully submitted,