On April 16th, 2025, Bússola Tech hosted a panel discussion titled "The Role of Clerks and Secretaries-General of Parliaments in Driving the Modernisation." The session explored the strategic leadership roles played by parliamentary officials in evaluating, guiding, and implementing modernisation efforts within legislative institutions.

Moderated by Mr. Luís Kimaid, Executive Director of Bússola Tech, the discussion featured distinguished speakers: Mr. Kevin McCumber, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Eric Janse, Clerk of the House of Commons of Canada, Mr. James Pinnell, Deputy Head of Programmes of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and Mr. Grant Vergottini, CEO of Xcential Legislative Technologies.

The panel began with reflections on the key considerations that Clerks and Secretaries-General must weigh when evaluating modernisation proposals—whether they originate from IT departments, business units within parliaments, or from Members themselves. The speakers emphasised the need to align initiatives with institutional mandates, legal frameworks, and operational readiness.

In the second segment, the conversation shifted to the challenges and benefits of embedding digital innovation—such as artificial intelligence, accessibility standards, and modern legislative infrastructures—into the formal rules of procedure. Participants underlined the importance of transforming procedural norms into enforceable mechanisms for sustainable modernisation.

The third round focused on how legislative leaders can draw from successful modernisation efforts in other jurisdictions while remaining attentive to procedural and contextual nuances. The panellists highlighted the need to balance inspiration with institutional specificity to ensure reforms are both impactful and appropriate.

Following this, the discussion addressed the long-term role of Clerks and Secretaries-General in anticipating emerging technologies and equipping parliaments to adapt. From AI to remote deliberation, the speakers stressed the importance of future-proofing legislative processes through proactive leadership and principled experimentation.

The panel concluded with final thoughts from each participant, underscoring the central role that procedural guardians play in enabling thoughtful, effective, and institutionally grounded modernisation. The session reaffirmed that innovation in parliaments must be guided not only by technical feasibility but also by a deep understanding of legislative tradition and democratic responsibility.