Supporters
The creation of a UN Parliamentary Assembly is supported by a broad range of individuals and institutions from more than 150 countries.
Individual supporters include politicians, former UN officials, distinguished scholars, cultural innovators, representatives of civil society organizations, and many committed citizens from all walks of life.
In particular, 683 current and 1047 former members of parliament across principal party lines have endorsed the campaign to date. The sitting MPs represent an estimated 119 million people. Supporters also include current and former heads of state, foreign ministers, Nobel laureates, and over 400 professors, including from world-leading universities.
Institutions that have expressed support include numerous civil society organizations, parliaments, international parliamentary assemblies and party networks. For instance, the Pan-African Parliament, the European Parliament, the Latin-American Parliament and the Parliament of Mercosur have adopted resolutions – as have the Socialist International, the Liberal International, or the Green World Congress.
An international survey conducted in 2004/5 in 18 countries showed an average support of 63% while only 20% opposed.
Intergovernmental summits have proven to be ineffective, too ineffective, in addressing the challenges of climate change, the loss of biodiversity or environmental protection. Negotiators are trapped in narrow national interests as well as the interests of corporations on their national delegations. The lowest common denominator negotiated by the world's governments is not enough. It is indeed time to have the world's citizens heard through an elected UN Parliamentary Assembly.
