Statements

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

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

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

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

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