We are all global citizens. Our mutual challenges are dealt with by a variety of international institutions and forums, unfortunately with varying lack of effectiveness, and varying lack of transparency and democratic participation. Venstre supports the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly in order to increase democratic participation in the world’s most important international institution.

Trine Skei Grande, Member of Parliament and leader of Venstre, The Liberal Party of Norway, 2013

I propose to conceive of the international community as composed of, and constituted by, both states and citizens. This makes the idea of a world parliament indispensable. [Such an institution] would have relevant but rather limited competences and share these competences with the member states of the world organization.

Jürgen Habermas, German philosopher, 2013

Democracy is the core question of our time. We cannot leave the world to decision-making that is in the interest of big money or big powers – but not in the interest of the world’s citizens. A UN Parliamentary Assembly is a first step to establish global democracy. Today, we need to fight for a transnational and global democracy as our fathers fought for a national one.

Gerald Häfner, Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of Democracy International, 2013

If we want to harvest peace, we must sow peace. Now is the time for humanity to change tactics for conflict resolution: from military to non violent solutions. A democratic UN parliament could be a great step on the road towards world peace.

KG Hammar, Former Archbishop of the Church of Sweden, 2013

Institutions such as the United Nations Parliamentary Assembly would help to reduce what is today an outrageous distance between those who decide and those affected by their decisions.

Daniel Innerarity, Professor of Political and Social Philosophy, Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance in San Sebastián, Spain, 2013

The possibility of social events depends in part on beliefs about their possibility. Thus, the possibility of a global parliament is not independent from people’s beliefs about the possibility of a global parliament.

Mathias Koenig-Archibugi, Senior Lecturer in Global Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, 2013

There exists no formal body that would give citizen-elected representatives a say in global governance. At best they have an observer status. This is not acceptable. In a democratic system, elected representatives are not standing by and observe what the governments do. They provide oversight and hold the executive accountable. This is what a UN Parliamentary Assembly needs to do.

Jo Leinen, Member of the European Parliament and Co-Chair of the Advisory Group of the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly, 2013

We must not be silent when the Oceans are dying because short-sighted national interests make effective global rules impossible. Through a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly a platform could be established that finally makes the voice of humanity heard in support of the global interest and sustainable life on Earth.

Isabella Lövin, Member of the European Parliament and author of the book "Silent Seas", 2013

Tôt ou tard, la création d'une Assemblée parlementaire des Nations Unies comme clé pour un ordre mondial plus démocratique sera au centre de l'agenda politique. Il est inévitable de donner la parole aux représentants élus démocratiquement des citoyens du monde dans les questions qui touchent l'ensemble de l'humanité, par exemple la protection de l'environnement et du climat, les questions financières mondiales, les droits de l'homme ou le désarmement.

Gabriela Michetti, Membre de la Chambre des députés argentine, 2013

Plus

Federica Mogherini, Member of Parliament and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy, since November 2014 High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, 2013