26 November 2007

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.

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