Summer with CPA UK

Tiana KrKotic and Kelly Yeo spent a fortnight with us on work experience.

We were very happy to have them, and wish them all the very best with their future careers.

Here's what they had to say about their time with us:

Tiana Krkotic 

Spending 2 weeks with CPA UK has been nothing short of inspiring. As a postgraduate student studying Global Governance and Ethics, I came in eager to understand how parliamentary dialogue between domestic and international committees works in practice and what I left with was far more profound. From meetings with MPs to real-time observation of Westminster, this opportunity has reshaped how I understand democracy and gender inclusion in action.

Throughout the week, I engaged with multiple CPA UK teams including the Multilateral Projects, International Partnerships, and UK Overseas Territories teams. In each session, I was impressed by the strategic intent behind CPA UK’s peer-to-peer engagement model, a hallmark of its programming. This was reinforced in my meeting with Chief Executive Sarah Dickson and Deputy Chief Executive Helen Haywood, who shared insights into the organisation’s unique position in convening parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth. 

One of the most engaging aspects was participating in the session with the Parliament of Grenada on cross-party collaboration. I was tasked with note-taking, but it quickly evolved into an active learning experience. The session revealed structural challenges smaller legislatures face, opening a conversation around how consensus-building can enhance transparency, especially through mechanisms like the Public Accounts Committees. 

Another standout moment was sitting in on the PMQs – an electrifying exposure to political theatre and accountability at its sharpest. Additionally, our oral evidence hearing on the cost of maintaining the FCDO’s overseas estates, and the entire week was packed with democratic insights. 

We also had tea with Kate Osamor MP and Chair of CPA UK Executive Committee, who spoke candidly about representation, inclusive politics, and CPA UK's mission to foster peer-to-peer dialogue across the Commonwealth. Also Meeting Rosie Wrighting, the UK’s youngest female MP, was equally impactful as she offered a raw perspective on being a young woman navigating political spaces still shaped by political and gender bias. 

Kelly Yeo

Over the past two weeks, I had the unique opportunity to experience life inside CPA UK through their Work Experience Programme.

From observing their international programmes in action to engaging directly with Members and parliamentary staff, the placement offered unparalleled insight into the organisation’s work at the heart of Westminster. One theme stood out across our time at the CPA UK: collaboration. Whether within Parliament or across the Commonwealth, collaboration emerged as a key tool for parliamentarians to achieve better outcomes, improving parliamentary oversight, scrutiny and representation. 

We were fortunate to observe a session between UK parliamentarians and an inward delegation from Grenada’s Public Accounts Committees (PAC), where they discussed the importance of cross-party collaboration and building consensus. While the Westminster model can be characterised by its adversarial politics, evident in the heated debate we observed at the Prime Minister’s Questions, this session offered a compelling perspective on cross-party collaboration. Through avenues like committees and All-Party Parliamentary Groups, parliamentarians can work across party lines on issues like private renting, climate change or healthcare.

Later in the week, we saw this collaborative spirit in action during a PAC inquiry as MPs worked together to scrutinise government spending. These experiences showed us that while disagreement is a natural and necessary element of a healthy democracy, the day-to-day work of the Parliament often relies on cooperation and a willingness to find common ground. 

My conversations with CPA UK’s staff also shone light on how their programmes facilitate meaningful interparliamentary collaboration. In line with my interest in climate and sustainability, I was connected with Zahra Soolagh, CPA UK Security lead, who shared about CPA UK’s climate security programmes and upcoming Climate Forum. The diverse profile of Commonwealth countries necessitates constructive dialogue that honours different perspectives on the climate crisis, and CPA UK work is to create such a space for genuine peer-to-peer learning. Similarly, Sarah Dickson, Chief Executive, and Helen Haywood, Deputy Chief Executive, highlighted CPA UK’s new strategy and direction, staying responsive to global dialogue by identifying areas where interparliamentary collaboration is most needed, such as digital technology and gender-based violence. 

CPA UK’s Work Experience Programme has been an exceptional introduction into working in the UK Parliament on Commonwealth programmes. The team was genuinely welcoming, offering us meaningful exposure to every aspect of their work. We were trusted to contribute ideas to the team, with consistent support from team mentors. Ultimately, this experience made clear that in a world facing complex and shared challenges, effective parliamentary work depends on our ability to listen, learn and work together.

Kelly and Tiana with Rosie Wrighting MP