[I agree with] the setting up of a Parliamentary Assembly for the United Nations, as I am a firm believer in parliamentary democracy, and believe that such an assembly will be the embodiment of the whole concept of representative governance and the epitome of what we mean by democratic empowerment of elected representatives.
George Vella, Foreign Minister of Malta, 2013
Ensuring the well-being of the people of the world and the capacity of our planet to sustain life requires a level of global cooperation never seen before. There will be times when national interests and global interests collide. A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly could act as an arbiter and ensure that the voice of the world's citizens carries weight.
Graham Watson, Member of the European Parliament and President of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, UK, 2013
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
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
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
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
I'm enthusiastic about the idea of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. Representing the world's citizens, it would finally bring democracy to the global stage. If the Indian Union and the European Union can organize a parliament, the world as a whole can do it, too.
Johan Galtung, Norwegian sociologist and mathematician, principal founder of the discipline of peace and conflict studies, 2013
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