Our Lunchtime Conversations are a regular monthly event in the CPA Room in Westminster Hall. They are open to all MPs, Peers, parliamentary staff and their guests. 

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

CPA UK’s new strategy for the next 5 years has EVAWG as one of our central themes.

Worldwide, it’s estimated that 1 woman in 3 will experience some form of violence against women and girls during their lifetime. VAWG is a global problem.

The Commonwealth aims to help Commonwealth member countries address gender-based violence, gender equality, women’s empowerment and other health and education priorities for women and girls.

Panellists include:

• Sharon Simons MP, Turks & Caicos Islands Parliament
• Jennifer Namgyal, Senior Director for the Social Policy, Gender and Youth Directorate, Commonwealth Secretariat

Previous Lunchtime Conversations include:

The Commonwealth Games

3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will be there and it will have the largest para-sport programme in Commonwealth history. Organisers say they’re “pioneering a leaner, more sustainable model for major events.”

Discussing the Bangladesh Election

This Lunchtime Conversation took place a fortnight after the Bangladesh elections. We explored what the results mean for the future of Bangladesh. With a panel of experts, including Baroness Winterton who is the UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, we examine what happens next and discover the most pressing issues facing this Commonwealth nation. 

Parliamentarians and Social Media

In January, the the discussion explored how parliamentarians can use social media for good despite the many concerns that surround it.

Taking place on the same day as a debate in the House of Commons on children's social media use, the panellists engaged with both the parliamentarian's and young person's experience of social media.

AI in Parliament

In October, the Editor of The House magazine, Francis Elliott, chaired an insightful discussion about the use of AI in Parliament. The panellists were Mark Sewards MP,  Dr Luke Evans MP and Nusrat Ghani MP, who is also Principal Deputy Speaker.