Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Parliament Civil Society Organization Network (ParlcsoNet) convened a town-hall consultative meeting focused on pre and post-legislative engagement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters.
The event, held on Thursday, was themed “Deepening Collaboration with CSO and Parliament” and aimed to foster stronger ties between civil society organizations (CSOs) and parliamentarians.
Chaired by Sahr Henemah, the session featured representatives from international partners, including the European Union (EU) and IDEA International, who expressed their support for the initiative. They asserted the importance of collaboration in strengthening civic engagement and accountability in Sierra Leone.
Rev. Alusine Suma, Chairperson of ParlcsoNet, provided insights into the organization’s establishment, explaining that the name is an acronym combining Parliament, Civil Society Organization, and Network. He noted that ParlcsoNet was formed in response to the increasing need for civic engagement and accountability in the country’s governance processes.
“We are gathered at a time when the strength of our democracy is being tested,” Henemah stated. “Parliament remains the cornerstone of democratic governance, responsible for making laws, protecting our rights, safeguarding our lives, and steering national development.” He emphasized that laws are not created in a vacuum, affirming the importance of citizen engagement in the legislative process.
Alusine Suma elaborated on ParlcsoNet’s objectives, which include transitioning from informal civic engagement; often conducted through media channels to a more constructive and direct interaction with Members of Parliament.
He stated that the network aims to enhance civil participation in parliamentary processes, facilitate evidence-based advocacy, and promote transparency and inclusivity in law-making.
Going through all those processes, he said they were able to arrive at a point where they had their first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both the Civil Society Organizations and the Parliament.
Reflecting on past achievements, Suma noted that in 2021, ParlcsoNet initiated “Stakeholders Consultation” to strengthen the relationship between Parliament, its staff, and development partners.
In 2022, the network launched a national framework involving 25 civil society organizations, and he highlighted that Sierra Leone’s Parliament is the first in the world to provide office space for civil society organizations within its premises.
Looking ahead, Suma affirmed that in 2023, ParlcsoNet began active participation in town-hall meetings, public hearings, and the submission of bills, further solidifying its role in facilitating constructive dialogue between citizens and their representatives.
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