Commonwealth Parliamentary Association reports the development of "Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures." Practices range from the functions and administration of Houses, to the roles of parties and individual members and guidelines on ethical performance and accountability. As we read in news accounts, the Fiji Islands lost its elected government and parliament in a December 5th military coup. And the C.P.A. recommends Commonwealth nations should pool experiences in an effort to successfully combat economic crime. A seminar was conducted on this topic in Ottawa during October last year. Attention was also given to improving female representation to 30% in legislatures by 2015. Climate change has also been a feature of the 26th Small Countries Conference.

Amicale Des Anciens Parlementaires Du Québec has recently published one of the finest newsletters of all associations. President Jacques Brassard provided a most challenging introduction and members are invited to request a copy of the 40 page document at www.assnat.qc.ca/FRA/amicale or aapq@assnat.qc.ca.

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress. Jim Slattery has been named the new President – he follows Jack Bueckner. During his term as President Jack provided exemplary leadership, especially during the dark days as his beloved wife Nancy was dying of cancer. All members of our Association, I know, join in expressing our sympathy to Jack and his family. And we extend to Jim our very best wishes as he assumes leadership of that large and active association. Best wishes also to John Rhodes III who assumes the Vice-Presidency of the Association. The U.S. Association has been especially active in a "Congress to Campus" program, "Congressional Study Groups and Democracy Building." It has also been an active partner with the Canadian Association and the Association of Former Members of the European Parliament in the development of a credential program for foreign election observers.

European Parliament Former Members Association is currently chaired by Josi Maria Gil-Robles. Currently the Association is focused on issues of immigration into the E.U. This group also supports a "Campus Program" and during 2006, its Study Visit was to Romania and Bulgaria which raised awareness among participants of how much both countries need in social, economic, ecological and infrastructure terms. Strengthening justice and the rule of law and combating organized crime and corruption were benchmarked as essential elements for integration into the E.U. community of values.

The European Association of Former Parliamentarians new President, Nuala Fennell met with our Chairman Canon Derwyn Shea during his July 2006 visit to Dublin in meetings with the Irish Parliamentary Former Members Society. This Association is not to be confused with the E.U. Association. The EPFMA draws membership from 15 member states – not all members of the E.U. President Fennell’s first year in office surprised her by the general lack of support for many Former Members Associations bordering on "actual hostility and stinginess." While the Ontario Association has been blessed with the provision of space, if not many dollars, we note Ms. Fennell's observation is all too common during the formative years of so many sister organizations. The EPFMA held its major conference in Cyprus in November focusing around the theme: "Europe, the Mediterranean and the Fight Against International Terrorism."

The Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians recently produced a 36 page "newsletter" which is apparently funded by Parliament. Doug Rowland is the current Chair of CAFP and attention during the past year has focused on the establishment of the International Election Monitors Institute (in co-operation with the EU FMA and the USA FMC). CIDA has agreed to provide some funding over the next 3 years to train foreign election observers and to assist in their deployment. The Association continues to sponsor the Parliamentary Interns Program and its Second Annual Fundraising Dinner held at the Canadian War Museum in November was a great success. We have received no word from any association in British Columbia, Alberta or Saskatchewan nor have we received recent news from our colleagues formerly in the Scottish Parliament.

Irish Parliamentary Former Members Society executive met in July with our Chairman on exchange of experiences. Finances, access and research support featured prominently in discussions although the Society enjoys a stronger base of financial support from The Dail Eireann than does the OAFP. In all other respects, our objectives and activities are very similar and we hope to add the Irish Parliament to our first Study Tour in 2008.