Lawmakers from Africa, Caribbean, Pacific and Europe discuss UNPA

The establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) was discussed on 17 March 2008 at a fringe meeting organized on the occasion of the 15th session of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The event, attended by over 40 elected representatives, was jointly convened by Jo Leinen, MEP, on behalf of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament (EP) and the Secretariat of the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly. In his introductory remarks Mr. Leinen gave an overview of the campaign and stressed the EP's support for the creation of a UNPA. The second speaker, Dr. Breda Pavlič, long-time international civil servant in UNESCO, now retired and based in Slovenia, explained briefly why she joined the efforts. "It is a fact that the vast majority of the world’s inhabitants are almost entirely alienated from the decision-making process at the UN", Dr. Pavlič stated. She added that the peoples' "more direct participation" needs to be ensured. Most of the ensuing debate focused on how to achieve a UNPA. The need for a pragmatic approach was stressed in most contributions. One of the steps mentioned was that parliamentarians could be included into some of the UN General Assembly's Committees.

Policy conclusions of Campaign conference now on-line

At its meeting on 19-20 November 2007 in the "Palais des Nations" in Geneva, the Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) has drawn several conclusions regarding its policy as it is laid down in the "Appeal for the Establishment for a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations". The Campaign, for example, notes that it advocates the possibility of direct elections to a UNPA even in the first step of its establishment. The official document containing these conclusions is now available on the Campaign website.

Campaign conference reiterates call for UNPA as step to World Parliament

Parliamentarians, representatives of non-governmental organizations and other activists of the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) from 18 countries gathered in the UN‘s "Palais des Nations" in Geneva last week for an exchange on the UNPA concept and the Campaign strategy. The meeting reiterated the principles laid down in the „Appeal for the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the UN“, such as the gradual approach which allows first steps beneath the threshold of UN Charter reform. It was also stressed, however, that at the same time the eventual goal of a world parliament should be communicated. While some questions were vividly debated, the meeting also concluded, among other things, that a UNPA should be open for participation of regional parliamentary assemblies and should offer innovative ways for strong NGO participation. It was agreed that the goal to establish a UNPA-Coalition should be pursued with a series of preparatory conferences rather with one single event. Host of the conference was the Society for Threatened Peoples-International.

"Opportunity for Canadian Government to show leadership"

Creation of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations (UNPA) was the topic of a lively forum held at the Vancouver Unitarian Church on Thurs. Nov. 15th with 50 people in attendance. According to Terry Farrell, former Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Douglas College, the United Nations suffers a crisis of legitimacy and is in danger of becoming irrelevant. Patricia Marchak, former Dean of Arts at UBC, added that a Parliamentary Assembly at the UN would not only help overcome the clash of national interests but would introduce a citizen watchdog at the highest level to help the organization protect the planet and its people. Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at UBC, suggested that the proposal provides an excellent opportunity for the Canadian Government, aiming to support the United Nations and promote democracy abroad, to take a vital leadership role. This forum is part of the international UNPA-Campaign launched in April '07. It was organized by the World Federalist Movement-Canada, Vancouver Branch.

UNPA proposal presented at Forum in Guadalajara, Mexico

The proposal to create a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) was presented at the third forum on alternatives of global governance, the “Tercer Foro Internacional sobre las Alternativas de Gobierno Mundial”, in Guadalajara, Mexico, on 9 November. In a speech delivered at the forum, the head of the Secretariat of the UNPA-Campaign, Andreas Bummel, stressed the historic importance of strengthening the democratic character of global governance. “The best possible means to achieve this is a UN Parliamentary Assembly”, he said. The forum was organized by the Universidad de Guadalajara and Planetafilia A.C. The chairman of Planetafilia, Francisco Plancarte, advocated to call a UN Charter review conference according to Article 109. “Pushing for a charter review conference could also be one of the options to be discussed by a UNPA”, Bummel noted. So far, the UNPA proposal is being endorsed in Mexico by eight deputies of the Cámara de Diputados. As local partner of the UNPA-Campaign, Planetafilia A.C. is coordinating the efforts to establish further support in the country.

Pan-African Parliament calls for UN Parliamentary Assembly

The eighth session of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) convened in Midrand, South Africa, adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations this Wednesday. According to the resolution the PAP considers to “take the initiative to achieve the establishment of a consultative United Nations Parliamentary Assembly within the UN system”. “The UN is an important advocate for democracy in the world. To maintain its credibility the UN itself, however, has to become more democratic. A UNPA would be a means to achieve this”, Mokshanand Dowarkasing, legislator from Mauritius who introduced the motion, said. The resolution was hailed abroad. “This is a major development in our international efforts”, the head of the Secretariat of the UNPA-Campaign, Andreas Bummel, said. “The resolution paves the way for a joint initiative of the Pan-African and the European Parliament”, Jo Leinen, a legislator in the European Parliament, noted.

"Global Action to Prevent War" joins Campaign for UN Parliamentary Assembly

In October 2007 the International Steering Committee of “Global Action to Prevent War” (GAPW) has voted to endorse the proposal for a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) and to join the international Campaign. GAPW is a global coalition of more than 20 non-governmental organizations and research institutes which have united their efforts to develop a program for the sustained, integrated, worldwide application of government resources and knowledge to stop war, genocide and internal armed conflict. “As the UN is playing an important role in war prevention, it will be essential to take steps to assure the impartiality of decision-making in this organization on matters of war and peace. One important step to make the UN more democratic and responsive is the creation of a Parliamentary Assembly. This is why we support the Campaign for a UNPA”, says GAPW Coordinator Waverly de Bruijn.

International poll asks question about “global parliament”

As part of an international opinion poll about democracy interviewees were asked how likely they would “support a global parliament, where votes are based on country population sizes, and the global parliament is able to make binding policies”. The survey revealed that the idea finds favor with the majority of respondents in eight of the 15 covered countries. In three countries - India, Dubai and South Africa – a majority was found to support the notion “very likely”, without reservations. In the other five favorable countries the majority of those approving the idea do so “quite likely”, with reservations. The biggest lead of approval was noted in India, Dubai and Germany. Overall an average of 37.5 percent were rather favorable, while 34 percent rather opposed. The question was included in the poll “Why democracy” conducted by Synovate on behalf of BBC. The results were published in August 2007.

European Parliament: Cross-party group of MEPs calls for UNPA

On the occasion of the opening of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly this week, a group of four Members of the European Parliament from the four main political groups called for greater accountability and transparency at the UN – to be achieved through a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA). At a press conference in Strasbourg, MEPs Graham Watson, leader of the liberal group ALDE, Pia-Noora Kauppi, from the conservative group EPP, Jo Leinen, from the Socialist group and Gérard Onestà, EP Vice-President from the Green group, presented a brochure on the topic co-authored by them. “A UN Parliamentary Assembly would be a decisive step towards democratizing citizen representation at the global level”, the MEPs agreed. “The strong, continued support by the European Parliament and individual MEPs is a significant driver for our efforts all over the world”, the representative of the UNPA-Campaign Secretariat, Andreas Bummel, commented. In 1994 and 2005 the European Parliament had passed resolutions in favor of a UNPA.

Network for UN Parliamentary Assembly planned in Uruguay

On 25 September 2007 Prof. Fernando Iglesias, the Executive Director of Democracia Global, an NGO participating in the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) gave a lecture on the needs and perspectives of democracy at the regional and international level. The event, taking place in the building of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Congress, was co-organized by deputy Beatriz Argimón and the local Social Science College (UDELAR) and attracted distinguished political and cultural leaders. After the event participants met and agreed to work on the establishment of a network seated in Montevideo. The support of the UNPA-Campaign and the transformation of the Mercosur Parliament into a real regional parliament were defined as priority tasks of the planned group.