Assembly to provide training for Lesotho MPs
Three members of the Lesotho Parliament's committee on HIV/AIDS are set to visit the National Assembly for Wales. The three MPs will visit the Assembly for a week from March 10th to 14th as part of a long term programme of exchange between the Assembly and Lesotho's national parliament.
The delegation will work with AMs and Assembly staff to learn how the committee can develop its role and its capacity to play a part in the battle against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. The visit, sponsored by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), was arranged after a delegation from the National Assembly went to Lesotho last year to help the parliament develop the role of its committees.
Janet Ryder Chair of the Assembly's Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association said 'The CPA is delighted to have received a request to work with the committee on HIV/AIDS and to build upon the relationship we have already established with Lesotho's parliament. HIV/AIDS is an immense challenge for Lesotho, affecting all aspects of life in the country. The committee has an important part to play in the development of an effective HIV/AIDS strategy and we are pleased to offer our support.'
Notes to editors
Lesotho is a landlocked country completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is similar in size to Wales and often referred to as “the mountain kingdom”. It gained independence from Britain in 1966.
There are already strong links between Wales and Lesotho. Dolen Cymru was set up in 1985 to build links between the two countries, which are similar in size. Since it was established twenty years ago there hundreds of exchange visits have taken place involving teachers, medical professionals, trade unionists and voluntary and community organisations. Over seventy schools in Wales already have links with Lesotho.