The Parliamentary Outreach Trust can supply former MPs for capacity building work and related training for future and current Parliamentarians and democrats in other countries. Our work’s principal focus is on developing countries, emerging economies and post-conflict zones. We will work on identified needs and with other organisations working in the same field – such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (see below), as well as development charities, foreign governments and agencies and institutions such as the EU. Former MPs’ involvement will be of a non-partisan nature, subject to our Charity Commission-approved guidelines. Although they will be compensated for their out of pocket and other expenses, and may receive per diem allowances (from which a contribution to POT expenses will be made), this is intended to be a not-for-profit activity.
The Trust has a long-standing relationship with the Louisiana State University which arranges an annual seminar for their undergraduates visiting the UK as part of their European studies programme.
In June 2017, former Conservative MP, Jacques Arnold and former Labour MP, John Austin gave the LSU students a very topical assessment of the UK General Election which had taken place the day before. A further session took place in June 2018 at Westminster with former Conservative MP and ex-Minister, Nicholas Bennett and John Austin.
The Trust hopes to provide similar services for other overseas students and universities visiting the UK.
Partners
Westminster Foundation for Democracy
The Parliamentary Outreach Trust (POT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). POT and WFD are both committed to supporting the efforts of democratic legislatures in partner countries to improve their effectiveness and thereby strengthen the democratic practices in their countries. The two organisations believe that by working together they can each deliver their objectives more effectively. Our memorandum of understanding sets out the mechanisms for cooperation between WFD and POT to ensure good communication about opportunities for joint work and setting out the types of joint work that the two organisations might pursue.
Westminster Foundation for Democracy is the UK public body dedicated to supporting democracy around the world.
WFD partners with UK political parties, parliaments, electoral and financial audit institutions to help over 30 developing countries make their governments fairer, more effective and accountable.
PARLIAMENTARY OUTREACH TRUST 