The escalating crisis in international cooperation shows that new ways must be found to combat global problems. The United Nations brings together diplomats appointed by member state governments. It is time for an additional body composed of democratically elected representatives: a UN Parliamentary Assembly.
Daniel Jositsch, Swiss Senator and Co-President of the Parliamentary Group for a UNPA, 2018
© International IDEA
The world needs more courageous decisions in order to address the urgent global issues of mass migration, terrorism without borders and climate change. These problems are too important to leave them over to national leaders only. Global Governance with a citizen's driven democratic legitimacy and accountability is the right way to make the difference we need. That's why I support the creation of a UN Parliamentary Assembly.
Yves Leterme, Former Prime Minister of Belgium and Secretary-General of International IDEA, October 2018
As a longtime enthusiastic supporter of the United Nations as the world’s best convener and promoter of global democratic standards and norms for humanity’s common future on this planet, I am honored to support the international Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly. A Parliamentary Assembly will augment all the positive global programs embodied in the UN Sustainable Development Goals which I support and promote, as well as the UN Principles of Responsible Investment, of which our company is a signatory member.
Hazel Henderson, futurist and author, founder and CEO of Ethical Markets Media and producer of its TV series “Transforming Finance”, 2018
As multilateralism and international solidarity are more than ever under threat, it is time to give a new democratic breath to global institutions. The United Nations organization must open up to representatives directly elected by the people in order to get the legitimacy necessary to act in the name of humanity's general interest. We need to move forward quickly with essential reforms in support of environmental protection, the fight against poverty or international trade regulation. The best way to ensure this is to create a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. It would be complementary to the General Assembly which brings together the governments representing the interests of the states. As a progressive, I support this goal of democratic and not only economic globalization, and therefore I give my full support to the international campaign for the creation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly.
Marietta Karamanli, Member of the French National Assembly, August 2018
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
In a time where we see less connection between the will of peoples and the policies put forward in their name, the world's citizens need representation on the global stage. Democratic initiatives, including the proposal to create a World Parliamentary Assembly, would include all citizens in global decision-making and give voice to currently neglected global public opinion.
Alfred de Zayas, first UN Independent Expert on the Promotion of an Equitable and Democratic International Order, March 2018
© Jens Holm
My longterm vision is the creation of a World Parliament. Instead of power lying in the hands of a few ministers of government who are to decide about the most pressing challenges of the world behind locked doors, I want more of the influence to be placed in a directly elected Parliamentary Assembly, which could be a complement (like a second chamber) to the UN's General Assembly.
Jens Holm, Member of the Swedish parliament for the left party in his book "Om inte vi, vem?" (If not we, then who), 2017
iDominick @Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Our world is getting smaller, and we’re becoming a more tolerant, and integrated human family. We’re also seeing trends that are resisting these changes, and anxieties about multiculturalism spur the forces of disintegration. Ultimately, unity in our diversity will win over. Love will win over. After all, we are one people, and one planet.Our needs to establish a single social order to celebrate our oneness as a human family are practical as much as they are spiritual. We cannot meet global challenges like climate change, multinational corporate exploitation, nuclear proliferation, and so many more threats to humanity without international regulation. We need a World Parliament elected by the peoples of the world to give them a voice in the process of globalization.Nations should have their own borders, and constitutions, and of course their cultures must be unique, but we need a federal government above nations that ensures peace and prosperity, too.I’d like to add my name to the list of supporters of the proposed UN Parliamentary Assembly because our survival depends on us all realizing we are in this together and, as a Baha’i, I believe in the message of Baha’u’llah: “The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens”.
Justin Baldoni, American actor, director and filmmaker, 24 October 2017
The United Nations needs to become more representative and inclusive relative to those who are most affected by its work and global challenges. A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly would be a way to achieve this. This new body would have to guarantee that the voices of farmers from around the world are better heard and understood, especially for developing countries particularly in Africa.
Brylyne Chitsunge, Ambassador of the Pan-African Parliament on Food Security in Africa, 2017
I support the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. For a better world order we need a World Parliament now!
Toshiki Kaifu, President of the World Federalist Movement-Japan and 76th and 77th Prime Minister of Japan
The United Nations is the only true extant forum for global governance, but it is currently a forum that represents governments, not people. Democratic global governance is essential that includes opposition and minority opinions. All of humanity needs to be represented on a permanent and formal basis. A citizen-elected UN Parliamentary Assembly is a pragmatic step towards this goal and will help developing a true democratic and open world society.
Smári McCarthy, Member of Parliament and Chair of the European Pirate Party, Iceland, 2017
Chatham House, CC BY 2.0
The United Nations needs to open its doors to elected representatives. The best way to achieve this is the creation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly that would complement the General Assembly where the governments come together. I've been supporting this goal for a long time and congratulate the international campaign on its sustained efforts to make this a reality.
Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, India, 2017
