© Jo Leinen
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
© Isabella Lövin
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
© Federica Mogherini
Faced with the globalization of economy and finance, the mounting imbalance in the distribution of wealth, or asymmetric threats to international security, the answer that is provided by the cooperation of nation-states is often no longer enough. There's an increased urgency that political institutions and instruments of participation and democracy also go through a process of globalization. That's why I support the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly.
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
© Kansei Nakano/WFM-Japan
A global parliamentary body elected by and accountable to the world's citizens would increase understanding and solidarity across national borders in an unprecedented way and would contribute to the emergence of a real democratic world community. As a first step, a UN Parliamentary Assembly should be established.
Kansei Nakano, Former Vice-Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives, 2013
© Youssou N'Dour
Just as every town has an elected city council or just as every democratic nation has a parliament, a UN Parliamentary Assembly that reflects the diversity of the world’s citizens and cultures needs to be established at the global level. Such a global parliament would allow for global issues to be dealt with in a democratic and legitimate way.
Youssou N'Dour, Singer, musician, and Minister of Tourism, Senegal, 2013
© Vasso Papandreou
The strengthening of the United Nations will only be achieved by the participation of direct representatives of the citizens in the decision-making process. The setting up of a Global Parliamentary Assembly is fundamental for the functioning of democracy today.
Vasso Papandreou, Former Minister of Energy, Interior, Public Works and Environment, Greece and Member of the European Commission, 2013
© Liliane Maury Pasquier
The creation of a consultative Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations would strengthen the legitimacy of the UN and make it breathe some air of democracy. Just like what happens in the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly could function as the UN's democratic conscience and as an engine for change.
Liliane Maury Pasquier, Member of the Swiss Parliament (Council of States), Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, 2013
© K. S. Rao
The UN system as it exists today does not reflect the changing dynamics of the new world order. Minority communities and opinions continue to be neglected. It is essential that a United Nations Parliamentary Asembly comes into place which reflects the vast diversity of this globe. This could result in better collaboration between governments and addresses current concerns like war, poverty, terrorism, drug trafficing etc. in a better manner.
Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, Minister of Textiles in the Union Government of India, 2013
© Hanno Schedler
A UN Parliamentary Assembly would increase the likelihood that the powerless can come together and publicly criticize oppression, racism, slavery, environmental damage, poverty and most of all a lack of education and participation. It would enable them to blow the whistle and make governments and international institutions more accountable.
Hanno Schedler, Asia/Africa Department of the Society for Threatened Peoples, 2013
© European Parliament
The European Parliament may serve as a model for how a UN Parliamentary Assembly could develop over time. What once began as an advisory body composed of national parliamentarians is a directly elected legislature today, even if the development is still ongoing. We are delighted that the example of the European Parliament is inspiring and encouraging the efforts for democratizing the UN system and global governance.
Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, 2013
© Gudrun Schyman
A democratic world parliament could strengthen the voice of our world's women who are often marginalized in the forums of male-dominated national governments. A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly would be a decisive step in this direction.
Gudrun Schyman, Co-founder of the Feminist Initiative of Sweden and former Member of Parliament, 2013
