Outward visits by officers from the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands (NPSI) are serving to support Westminster Foundation for Democracy’s (WFD) long-term parliamentary strengthening programme, funded with UK International Development from the UK government, that saw the Isle of Man first engage with NPSI in 2023.

Pictured on the right is the Clerk of Tynwald Jonathan King with NPSI and WFD officers.

Funded through the WFD programme, in March 2023 and February 2024 Tynwald Research and Scrutiny Support Manager Francisca Gale visited NPSI to provide input into capacity-building and continuous professional development programmes, then in March 2025 the Clerk of Tynwald Jonathan King visited for an eight-day programme which included a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony, a workshop and a number of sessions that explored a range of parliamentray procedures and practices.

Working with WFD, the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald has also arranged inbound study visits for NPSI officers and Members. The first in September 2023 had ‘exceeded all expectations’ said NPSI clerk David Kusilifu, while the second, in January 2025, was hailed ‘a non-stop learning trip’ by Hon Catherine Nori MP.

Supporting the visits, the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald is delivering a programme of online seminars to NPSI officers.

Mr King (pictured with NPSI clerk Jefferson Hallu) said: ‘I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue working with NPSI with the support of WFD.  It is a two-way partnership with many benefits on both sides. Learning about other parliaments and their procedures is an important part of how the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald develops as a parliamentary service. We have strong links with the neighbouring jurisdictions and with others in the British Islands and Mediterranean Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Adding to these by linking with a parliament in the southern hemisphere has given us a new perspective. The visits have been important for establishing the relationship but a lot of the value is in the online seminar series which can carry on throughout the year. This value comes from exploring new ways to approach shared challenges, and in providing opportunities for staff development.’

Ms Gale said: ‘Through the online workshops we’ve been able to explore a wide range of topics from our shared perspectives as small parliaments.  While our contexts differ in many ways, we have a mutual understanding of the challenge of providing parliamentary services with limited resources. Over the next year we’re planning to discuss ways of effectively supporting the scrutiny function of parliament, whether through committee work, parliamentary research, or support for non-government legislation.  I’m looking forward to exploring how we can make the best use of AI to work more efficiently.’

Naomi Barnard, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) Senior Programme Manager, Asia-Pacific and Americas, said: ‘We are delighted to support this partnership between NPSI and the Tynwald and it has been wonderful to see the conversations deepen over time. It is great to see how peer-to-peer engagement, both in-person and online, can enable reflection and learning, through empowering and mutually supportive relationships.’

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