Without a global parliament, a democratic deficit exists in the way that the world's citizens are involved in global matters. Through elected representatives, a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly would resonate with the global population, providing it with a voice for presenting sensitive issues, to include addressing human rights violations, tackling corruption in governments and international administrations, and promoting democratic rights at all levels.

Patricia Schroeder, Former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1973-1997), 2014

Gobal warming can only be handled by a global authority. This will happen once the consequences become conspicuous. But will it be done in a democratic manner? I hope so, and I see the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assemby as a first step to assure this.

Torbjörn Tannsjö, Professor of Practical Philosophy at Stockholm University and author of the book "Global Democracy: The Case for a World Government., 2014

The global community will not succeed in solving its deep crisis and huge common problems if the citizens have no say and no right to participation. From a humanist perspective, democratising the UN through a parliamentary assembly thus isn't only merely useful, it's indispensable.

Frieder Otto Wolf, President of the Humanist Association of Germany and Professor of Philosophy at Free University of Berlin, 2013

One promising avenue of giving ... space to the citizens of the planet is the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, which could start initially as a consultative body and gradually develop into a legislative assembly. This is an ambitious plan, but one that with patience and determination is implementable, taking the European Parliament as a model.

Alfred de Zayas, United Nations Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, former Secretary of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, 2013

The idea of a democratically elected world parliament seems like a nice, but still distant dream if one considers the many dictatorships in the world. The establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly however, that initially has advisory powers and exercises oversight, could be a good and feasible first step into this direction.

Brigitte Zypries, Member of Parliament and Minister of Justice from 2002-2009, Germany, 2013

The fact that there still is no parliamentary body at the UN more and more interferes with the world organization's democratic legitimacy. A UN Parliamentary Assembly would strengthen the democratic nature of the UN and bring it closer to the citizens. That's one of the reasons why the East African Legislative Assembly supports its establishment.

Margaret Zziwa, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, former Member of Parliament, Uganda, former Member of the Constituent Assembly drafting the 1995 Ugandan Constitution, 2013

In a democratic order, citizens elect representatives at multiple levels. There are city councils, provincial or state parliaments and national parliaments. And yet for global matters that affect each and every person on the planet, there exists no elected world parliament. A world parliament would be an instrument to find and implement solutions that are democratic, accountable and serve the best interest of humanity.

Global Week of Action, From the announcement of the first Global Week of Action for a World Parliament, 17-24 October 2013, 2013

Just as every town has an elected city council or just as every democratic nation has a parliament, a UN Parliamentary Assembly that reflects the diversity of the world’s citizens and cultures needs to be established at the global level. Such a global parliament would allow for global issues to be dealt with in a democratic and legitimate way.

Youssou N'Dour, Singer, musician, and Minister of Tourism, Senegal, 2013

The strengthening of the United Nations will only be achieved by the participation of direct representatives of the citizens in the decision-making process. The setting up of a Global Parliamentary Assembly is fundamental for the functioning of democracy today.

Vasso Papandreou, Former Minister of Energy, Interior, Public Works and Environment, Greece and Member of the European Commission, 2013

The creation of a consultative Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations would strengthen the legitimacy of the UN and make it breathe some air of democracy. Just like what happens in the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly could function as the UN's democratic conscience and as an engine for change.

Liliane Maury Pasquier, Member of the Swiss Parliament (Council of States), Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, 2013