05/06/2008: Green World Congress joins call for UNPA

The global green movement joins the call for the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA). This statement is included in point 65 of the final declaration adopted by second Global Greens Congress on 4th May in Sao Paulo. A UNPA is regarded as one step to overcome the "international democratic deficit." "In the face of global challenges such as climate change it is pretty clear that we need much more effective international decision-making. This requires that the world's citizens are better included in international institutions," said Senator Isabelle Durant, Secretary-General of the Belgian party Ecolo, in Brasil. "The resolution adopted by the congress underlines that the green movement is convinced that a dialogue is needed on the notion of a bi-cameral system at the UN,” the leader of the Green Party of Canada, Elizabeth May, noted. The congress in Sao Paulo assembled representatives of green parties and movements from over 80 countries. The Global Greens are the third major international party network to endorse the proposal of a UNPA, following the Liberal International and the Socialist International.

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11/27/2007: Campaign conference reiterates call for UNPA as step to World Parliament

Parliamentarians, representatives of non-governmental organizations and other activists of the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) from 18 countries gathered in the UN‘s "Palais des Nations" in Geneva last week for an exchange on the UNPA concept and the Campaign strategy. The meeting reiterated the principles laid down in the „Appeal for the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the UN“, such as the gradual approach which allows first steps beneath the threshold of UN Charter reform. It was also stressed, however, that at the same time the eventual goal of a world parliament should be communicated. While some questions were vividly debated, the meeting also concluded, among other things, that a UNPA should be open for participation of regional parliamentary assemblies and should offer innovative ways for strong NGO participation. It was agreed that the goal to establish a UNPA-Coalition should be pursued with a series of preparatory conferences rather with one single event. Host of the conference was the Society for Threatened Peoples-International.

Conference conclusions  Campaign website

10/25/2007: Pan-African Parliament calls for UN Parliamentary Assembly

The eighth session of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) convened in Midrand, South Africa, adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations this Wednesday. According to the resolution the PAP considers to “take the initiative to achieve the establishment of a consultative United Nations Parliamentary Assembly within the UN system”. “The UN is an important advocate for democracy in the world. To maintain its credibility the UN itself, however, has to become more democratic. A UNPA would be a means to achieve this”, Mokshanand Dowarkasing, legislator from Mauritius who introduced the motion, said.

Press release

05/18/2007: Boutros-Ghali: Democratization at global level needed

In a message addressed to the Campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali stressed the necessity to establish democratic participation of citizens at the global level. Boutros-Ghali is among the initial signatories of the Campaign’s appeal for a UN Parliamentary Assembly. In the past weeks the proposal was presented to the public in ten countries on five continents. Meanwhile the Campaign’s call for Parliamentary Assembly at the global level is endorsed by 398 Members of Parliament, 57 Non-Governmental Organizations and further 620 individuals from more than 100 countries.

Media release

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