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
[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
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
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