A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly
More and more issues have a global dimension that requires global cooperation. At the UN and other international fora, governments come together to negotiate and decide on policies that have a global impact. The bodies of the UN and international organizations are occupied by officials who are appointed by the executive branches of national governments. In view of their growing importance of international organizations and their decisions, this is no longer sufficient.
A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) for the first time would give popularly elected representatives a formal role at the UN. As an additional body, the assembly will directly represent the world's citizens and not governments.
Initially, states could choose whether their UNPA members would come from national parliaments, reflecting their political spectrum, or whether they would be directly elected. Eventually, the goal is to have all members directly elected.
Starting as a largely consultative body, the rights and powers of the UNPA could be expanded over time as its democratic legitimacy increases. The assembly will act as an independent watchdog in the UN system and as a democratic reflection of the diversity of the world population.
The international campaign for a UNPA 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, over 1,500 current and former members of parliament have endorsed the campaign.
www.unpacampaign.org