My participation in the 27th Parliamentary Internship Programme for Foreign Parliamentary Officials under the auspices of Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) in 2011 has paid off.
First and foremost, the training course was a worthwhile undertaking.
It was truly a rewarding experience and an enlightening one.
It has given me opportunities to work on my own parliamentary issues.
More than that, it was a challenge.
I would say, the best challenge when I was expected to share the significant inputs and learnings I got during the training with my colleagues back home; use the practical tools I have picked up from the course that aided in the enhancement of my country’s parliamentary system.
Indeed, the added knowledge has broaden my parliamentary perspectives.
The programme organizer – particularly the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training has provided me and the rest of the programme participants opportunities to be acquainted with India’s Parliamentary affairs.
It has given us glimpses of the different legislative processes and best practices in other parts of the globe.
Also, there was awareness of the unique culture of India through local sight-seeing tours, visits to museums and places of attractions and historical importance, cultural shows, etc.
Furthermore, the 4-week activity went beyond my expectations - beyond just India Legislature.
It has touched beyond culture and beyond borders.
It was about building relationships and cultural bridges.
There was culture mix in tradition all right but it did not prevent 45 people from different parts of the world to come together, foster friendships, motivate each other to face challenges to new heights. It somehow brought out the best in me and my co-scholars as well.
What was essential is that I have acquired unfamiliar and unique knowledge that benefitted my mother institution - The Philippines’ House of Representatives.
In the end, it was my duty and responsibility how much of these parliament information I have imbibed during the training program has been shared and echoed in my workplace and what I did with it .
Furthermore, my ITEC experience has significantly impacted my career trajectory.
It paved the way to my promotion as Chief of the Indexing & Monitoring Group of the Bills and Index Service in 2012.
I am forever grateful for the camaraderie I and my co-participants have established with one another during the short but fruitful one-month training. We have kept the flame of friendship burning even with geographical distances between our countries.
We carried on to develop lasting professional relationships and continued to exchange concepts and ideas of matters related to Parliament long after the Internship Programme has come to an end.
Finally, it has come to my realization that exposure to foreign scholarship programs such as ITEC is such a great value in maintaining and strengthening ties to the world.
TERENCE M. GRANA
Participant
27th Parliamentary Internship Programme for Foreign Parliamentary Officials
2 November - 2 December 2011
New Delhi
