INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TEAM
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS – FAQS
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TEAM
The International Relations Team (IRT) supports the National Assembly for
Wales in the development and implementation of its policy on international
engagement and its links with other Parliaments and overseas organisations.
In doing so, our aim is to enhance the profile and reputation of the National
Assembly for Wales; to exchange knowledge and ideas and to develop our
relationships with others. Inward visits are very important part of the work of
the International Relations Team (IRT).
In order to facilitate inward visits effectively new have produced some guidance
below, in the form of frequently asked questions, which we hope will be helpful
to you.
What types of visits are facilitated by the IRT?
What types of visits are not facilitated by the IRT?
I would like to arrange a potential visit by a VIP
Are there any dates/days that I should avoid?
What information do I need to provide?
Can I expect my visit request to be taken forward?
When will I hear?
What length of programme can I expect?
Once my visit is accepted, what are the next steps?
Helpful Information
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What types of visits are facilitated by the IRT?
1.
The remit of the IRT is to develop assembly business focused
programmes for Speakers, parliamentarians, Ambassadors and High
Commissioners from across the UK and the world, within the context of
the National Assembly for Wales international strategy.
2.
At official level we are also able to facilitate programmes for senior
parliamentary and Embassy officials wishing to familiarise themselves
with the National Assembly for Wales, to better support their Parliament
or Ambassador. Such visit programmes will generally take the form of a
private tour of the National Assembly for Wales, and a briefing meeting
with an official from the IRT and other officials, as appropriate.
What types of visits are not facilitated by the IRT?
3.
The IRT are not able to facilitate requests from civic society. We are also
not responsible for visits that involve a Government Minister/official.
Instead, such visitors are advised to make contact with the Welsh
Assembly Government to discuss a Government programme, which
includes meetings with Ministers or officials as appropriate. The contact
for the Welsh Assembly Government is as follows:
Sandra Stephenson
International Visits, Links & Protocols
Dept of the First Minister and Cabinet
Welsh Assembly Government
Email: sandra.stephenson@wales.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 029-2082-3263
4.
In addition, the IRT cannot organise political meetings with party leader.
Visitors are instead advised to make direct contact with the relevant
offices.
I would like to discuss a potential visit to the National Assembly for
Wales by a VIP/delegation – who should I contact?
5.
Your first point of contact should always be the IRT and one of the IRT
managers. (see contacts sheet provided)
Are there any dates/days that I should avoid?
6.
It is unlikely that the IRT will be able to facilitate visits during assembly
recess periods when Members are not at the Assembly but working
within their constituencies. A web link to a list of all assembly recess
dates can be found below.
http://www.assemblywales.org/gethome/calendar/calendar-recess.htm
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What information do I need to provide?
7.
As the IRT are charged with developing focussed, business programmes
to ensure value for both the international visitor and the National
Assembly for Wales, it is essential that you provide clear information
relating to your visit. To assist with this process, a copy of our Visit
Information Form is attached separately. You should complete and
email this form to one of the IRT managers.
Can I expect my visit request to be taken forward?
8.
The National Assembly for Wales receives many visit requests from
international delegations, and as you will understand, the demand often
exceeds our capacity. As such, we have to consider how best to
prioritise our resources in line with our international strategy, and much
planning ahead is required.
9.
Given this, the International Relations Team are unable to take forward
all visit requests. However, in such situations, we do offer to arrange a
tour of the Assembly with our Visitor Services Team. This tour is of an
excellent standard, in that it provides both a warm welcome, and a full
explanation of the workings of the Assembly. In addition, we
communicate your visit request to the wider Assembly and indicate any
interest to you in our response from particular, and relevant, areas.
When will I hear?
9.
Firstly, you should contact the National Assembly for Wales well in
advance of your potential visit, certainly giving at least one month’s
notice. You should then expect to receive an initial acknowledgement
from the IRT, with a substantive response being issued to you within an
approximate 10 working day timescale. Please note, that we kindly
request you do not send individual emails to Members.
What length of programme can I expect?
10. The length of the programme will be determined by the information
provided in the Visit Information Form (see “What Information Do I Need
to Provide” on page 2). However, on average, visits are likely to take the
form of a one or two day programme. Please note that visits to the
Assembly are subject to assembly business and may be changed at short
notice.
Once my visit is accepted, what are the next steps?
11. On issue of the decision, the IRT will firstly be in touch to clarify any
gaps within the business information provided (as noted above) – this is
vital to a productive business programme. In addition, we will expect
you to provide the following logistical information:

Any changes to the list of visiting delegates.
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Biographies for all the delegates.
The level of English, and whether an interpreter will accompany the
delegation (the visitor is responsible for arranging the interpreter).
Any dietary requirements or access needs?
How your delegation will arrive at the Assembly – on foot or by car?
Whether the delegation would wish a private tour of the Senedd
included within their business programme?
12. Once all the information has been secured, you are then likely to receive
one or two drafts of your business programme, before receiving the
final version in the week prior to your visit.
Helpful Information
The Staff structure of the International Relations Team is also attached. For
further information on the National Assembly for Wales, please click on the
following link to browse our Assembly website http://www.assemblywales.org/
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