The United Nations Parliamentary Assembly Proposal
The UN Charter opens with the words: “We the peoples”, but nowhere does it say how ordinary people can play a role in the organization’s deliberations and decision-making. “We the peoples” cannot elect representatives to scrutinise its work, take part in debates or decide its policies and priorities.
Since the founding of the League of Nations in the 1920s there have been several proposals for an elected assembly of the world’s people. In 2018 the MEP Jo Leinen and Andreas Bummel published a 420-page book on the history, current relevance and future implementation of the idea, called A World Parliament: Governance and Democracy in the 21st Century. They propose a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) to give directly elected representatives of the world's citizens a formal role in global affairs.
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 world public opinion.
The proposal is based on the international appeal for the establishment of a parliamentary assembly at the UN that was published in 2007:
"Humanity faces the task of ensuring the survival and well being of future generations as well as the preservation of the natural foundations of life on Earth. We are convinced that in order to cope with major challenges such as social disparity, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the threat of terrorism or the endangerment of global ecosystems, all human beings must engage in collaborative efforts.
To ensure international cooperation, secure the acceptance and to enhance the legitimacy of the United Nations and strengthen its capacity to act, people must be more effectively and directly included into the activities of the United Nations and its international organisations. They must be allowed to participate better in the UN’s activities. We therefore recommend a gradual implementation of democratic participation and representation on the global level.
We conceive the establishment of a consultative Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations as an indispensable step. Without making a change of the UN Charter necessary in the first step, a crucial link between the UN, the organisations of the UN system, the governments, national parliaments and civil society can be achieved through such an assembly.
Such an assembly would not simply be a new institution; as the voice of citizens, the assembly would be the manifestation and vehicle of a changed consciousness and understanding of international politics. The assembly could become a political catalyst for further development of the international system and of international law. It could also substantially contribute to the United Nation’s capacity to realize its high objectives and to shape globalisation positively.
A Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations could initially be composed of national parliamentarians. Step by step, it should be provided with genuine rights of information, participation and control vis-à-vis the UN and the organisations of the UN system. In a later stage, the assembly could be directly elected."
Quote drawn from the international appeal for the establishment of a parliamentary assembly at the UN, published in 2007.
Leading the debate
The campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly is a global network that advocates democratic representation of the world's citizens at the United Nations. Supporters of the campaign include current and former parliamentarians, representatives of civil society organisations, researchers, and dedicated citizens.
It is part of a global movement to create a UN parliamentary assembly and work with other like-minded organisations and individuals to promote the campaign for a UNPA. The campaign's international action and strategy is coordinated by a secretariat which is hosted by Democracy Without Borders. One World Trust is working with Democracy without Borders to promote education and debate about the UNPA proposal.
Promoting education and debate
The One World Trust’s plan is to explain the UNPA proposal to the public, media, NGOs and MPs, and to provide education through an online course and the running of a model UNPA (like a model UN). If you are able contribute time or funds to help us promote this vibrant international educational campaign, please complete the form below. Any donations received by the end of this year, up to a total of £65,000, will be match funded, doubling any contribution you make.
The UN Charter opens with the words: “We the peoples”, but nowhere does it say how ordinary people can play a role in the organization’s deliberations and decision-making. “We the peoples” cannot elect representatives to scrutinise its work, take part in debates or decide its policies and priorities.
Since the founding of the League of Nations in the 1920s there have been several proposals for an elected assembly of the world’s people. In 2018 the MEP Jo Leinen and Andreas Bummel published a 420-page book on the history, current relevance and future implementation of the idea, called A World Parliament: Governance and Democracy in the 21st Century. They propose a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) to give directly elected representatives of the world's citizens a formal role in global affairs.
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 world public opinion.
The proposal is based on the international appeal for the establishment of a parliamentary assembly at the UN that was published in 2007:
"Humanity faces the task of ensuring the survival and well being of future generations as well as the preservation of the natural foundations of life on Earth. We are convinced that in order to cope with major challenges such as social disparity, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the threat of terrorism or the endangerment of global ecosystems, all human beings must engage in collaborative efforts.
To ensure international cooperation, secure the acceptance and to enhance the legitimacy of the United Nations and strengthen its capacity to act, people must be more effectively and directly included into the activities of the United Nations and its international organisations. They must be allowed to participate better in the UN’s activities. We therefore recommend a gradual implementation of democratic participation and representation on the global level.
We conceive the establishment of a consultative Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations as an indispensable step. Without making a change of the UN Charter necessary in the first step, a crucial link between the UN, the organisations of the UN system, the governments, national parliaments and civil society can be achieved through such an assembly.
Such an assembly would not simply be a new institution; as the voice of citizens, the assembly would be the manifestation and vehicle of a changed consciousness and understanding of international politics. The assembly could become a political catalyst for further development of the international system and of international law. It could also substantially contribute to the United Nation’s capacity to realize its high objectives and to shape globalisation positively.
A Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations could initially be composed of national parliamentarians. Step by step, it should be provided with genuine rights of information, participation and control vis-à-vis the UN and the organisations of the UN system. In a later stage, the assembly could be directly elected."
Quote drawn from the international appeal for the establishment of a parliamentary assembly at the UN, published in 2007.
Leading the debate
The campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly is a global network that advocates democratic representation of the world's citizens at the United Nations. Supporters of the campaign include current and former parliamentarians, representatives of civil society organisations, researchers, and dedicated citizens.
It is part of a global movement to create a UN parliamentary assembly and work with other like-minded organisations and individuals to promote the campaign for a UNPA. The campaign's international action and strategy is coordinated by a secretariat which is hosted by Democracy Without Borders. One World Trust is working with Democracy without Borders to promote education and debate about the UNPA proposal.
Promoting education and debate
The One World Trust’s plan is to explain the UNPA proposal to the public, media, NGOs and MPs, and to provide education through an online course and the running of a model UNPA (like a model UN). If you are able contribute time or funds to help us promote this vibrant international educational campaign, please complete the form below. Any donations received by the end of this year, up to a total of £65,000, will be match funded, doubling any contribution you make.
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