Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth

This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, speaks with the outgoing CPA President (2026), Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of National Council of Provinces at the Parliament of South Africa as she hosts the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town.

The discussion explores how the Commonwealth is viewed in South Africa, the barriers facing women in politics and how to overcome them as well as the role of the ‘modern’ Commonwealth.

This Podcast episode was recorded and produced by Jeffrey Hyland, Editor of The Parliamentarian, the CPA’s Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments.

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue) 

Recorded in September 2026 in the margins of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, speaks to two Members of the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa, both Vice-Chairs of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Canada Federal Branch.

Hon. Iqra Khalid, MP is a Member of the House of Commons of Canada since 2015 and speaks about her Commonwealth heritage, her passion for equality of opportunity and working with the diverse community that she represents.

Senator Hon. Rosemary Moodie has been a Member of the Senate of Canada since 2018 and relates how her background as a paediatrician has informed her role as a Parliamentarian as well as campaigning to improve access to health care for the most vulnerable populations.

Both Members of Parliament speak about the barriers facing women in politics and how to overcome them as well as the role of ‘modern’ Commonwealth.

This Podcast episode was recorded and produced by Jeffrey Hyland, Editor of The Parliamentarian, the CPA’s Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments.

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue) 

Recorded in May 2026 in the margins of the 16th CPA Canadian Parliamentary Seminar in Ottawa, Canada.

This year the CPA has embarked on its first annual campaign, which aims to enshrine Disability rights in law across the Commonwealth. In this episode of the CPA podcast, we spoke with some of the most prominent disability activists in the Commonwealth about the intersectional approaches they bring to disability rights.

Our guests in this episode are Abia Akram is a Pakistani disability rights activist and founder of the National Forum of Women with Disabilities, who has spent nearly three decades pushing for the rights of women and girls with disabilities across Pakistan and the Asia-Pacific, earning her a spot on the BBC's 100 Women in 2021. She currently serves as an ambassador for the Sightsavers Equal World campaign.

Datuk Dr Ras Adiba Radzi is a former Malaysian broadcast journalist turned disability advocate, who co-founded OKU Sentral to empower Malaysia's disabled community. She went on to serve as as a paralympic shooter, and a Senator in Malaysia's Upper House.

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue) 

How can we fight discriminatory laws across the Commonwealth?

In this episode of Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth, UN Women’s Head of Human Rights and Development, Adriana Quiñones, discusses her journey from growing up in conflict-affected Colombia to leading global efforts on women’s rights. She highlights the persistence of discriminatory laws that limit women’s access to justice, political participation, inheritance, and protection from violence.

The conversation also explores the barriers facing young women in politics, from discrimination to online abuse, from unequal caregiving expectations to exclusionary political systems. She emphasises the need for stronger legal protections and more inclusive democratic institutions to empower the next generation of women leaders.

This episode was recorded in May 2026 by Oz Russell, CPA Communications Officer.

This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, speaks to Hon. Tanya August-Phillips, Member of the Isle of Man Legislative Council since 2018 and the inaugural winner of the CPA New Parliamentarian Award in 2023. 

She has been a Member of the CPA Isle of Man Branch Executive Committee as well as several Select Committees.

We speak about her role as a Member of Parliament; how her journalism background has helped in her career; the barriers facing women in politics and how to overcome them; the role of the Commonwealth; her Belizean heritage and encouraging young people to engage in politics.

Hon. Tanya August-Phillips was speaking with Jeffrey Hyland, Editor of The Parliamentarian, the CPA’s Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments.

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue) 

This episode of Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth was made in association with Human Coined, a podcast from Nexus PFM Consulting, hosted by Geoff Dubrow.

In this episode, Hon. Michelle Haywood, a Member of the House of Keys in the Isle of Man, and Hon. Valerie Woods, CPA Small Branches Chairperson and Speaker of the National Assembly of Belize, talk about women's political representation, LGBTQ+ rights, minority rights and how Parliamentarians can influence social change in small jurisdictions.

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue) 

What is the link between politics and sport in the Commonwealth? As both a cultural and political union, sport has been a central and evolving pillar - through the Commonwealth Games, cooperation between Sports Ministries or in promoting sustainable development. 

In our extended episode released ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, we look at the past, present and future of these links - as a venue for protest and self-determination, as a career path or as a basis for peace and development.

Dr. Matthew McDowell is a Lecturer in Sport Policy, Management, and International Development at Edinburgh University. He discussed the transition of the Empire Games into the Commonwealth Games, its relationship with nationalism and apartheid and whether its now found a sustainable hosting blueprint.

Hon. Liesl Tesch participated in 5 Paralympic Games in wheelchair basketball and sailing, and won 3 medals. She currently serves as a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. She discusses her programmes to support sportspersons in Australia and to link sport and development globally, and her transition from athlete to legislator.

Dr Lin Cherurbai Sambili-Gicheha is the Adviser, Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) for the Commonwealth-Secretariat. She discusses her research on the link between peace, development and sport.

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue) 

Subscribe to the podcast or listen on your favourite platform: 

https://www.cpahq.org/knowledge-centre/podcast/ 

This podcast was recorded in May 2026 by Oz Russell, Communications Officer at the CPA Secretariat.

This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, features Hon. Farah Azeem Shah, MPA, Member of the Provincial Assembly of Baluchistan, Pakistan. 

The conversation explores how Farah Azeem Shah advances peacebuilding, women’s rights and parliamentary leadership.  It highlights her pivotal role in championing women’s rights legislation, as well as her broader humanitarian and peace focused initiatives that empower communities. 

Music:

Subscribe to the podcast or listen on your favourite platform: 

https://www.cpahq.org/knowledge-centre/podcast/

Recorded in February 2026.

This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, features Hon. Lau Weng San, the 12th Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, Malaysia. 

In this conversation, Speaker Lau reflects on his unique journey as one of the few non-MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) Speakers in Selangor’s history, discussing how this position shapes his approach to parliamentary neutrality and constitutional responsibility. He explains the principles that guide him in safeguarding legislative integrity, such as the rule of law and democratic accountability. He also shares his vision for strengthening transparency, enhancing accountability and raising institutional standards within the legislative system. 

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue) 

Subscribe to the podcast or listen on your favourite platform: 

https://www.cpahq.org/knowledge-centre/podcast/ 

Recorded in February 2026. 

What does it mean to lead as a woman in politics today? In this special fireside chat, hosted by Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Coordinator Avni Kondhia, three women Parliamentarians and CPA Officers come together for a candid and informal conversation about their journeys in public life and the realities of holding power across the Commonwealth.

She spoke with Sue Lines, CPA Treasurer and President of the Senate of Australia; Valerie Woods, CPA Small Branches Chairperson and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize and Catherine Fife, CWP Chairperson and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

From the unexpected paths that led them into politics to their proudest achievements in Parliament, the speakers reflect on the moments that shaped their careers. They discuss how their parliaments have evolved for women over time, the importance of allyship across party lines, and the ongoing work needed to achieve equal representation in political leadership.

The conversation also explores bigger questions: why women Heads of Government remain rare in many Commonwealth jurisdictions—including Canada, Australia, and Belize—and what must change for women’s leadership at the highest level to become the norm. 

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)