The IPU is the
international organization of Parliaments.
Established
in 1889 the Inter-Parliamentary Union was the first permanent forum
for political multilateral
negotiations. Promoting the concepts of
peace and international arbitration, the IPU provided the origins for today's
form of institutionalized multilateral co-operation and advocated the
establishment of corresponding institutions at the inter-governmental level --
which eventually came into being as the United Nations. The IPU was also
instrumental in setting up what is now the Permanent Court of Arbitration in
The Hague. [Interestingly the first three Noble Peace Prize Awardees were
leading figures of the IPU.]
The
Union is the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for
peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of
representative democracy.
To
that end, it:
- Fosters contacts, co-ordination, and the exchange of experience among parliaments and parliamentarians of all countries;
- Considers questions of international interest and concern and expresses its views on such issues in order to bring about action by parliaments and parliamentarians;
- Contributes to the defence and promotion of human rights - an essential factor of parliamentary democracy and development;
- Contributes to better knowledge of the working of
representative institutions and to the strengthening and development of
their means of action.
The
IPU supports the efforts of and works in close co-operation with
the United Nations, whose objectives it shares. The Union also co-operates
with regional inter-parliamentary organizations, as well as with international
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations which are motivated by the
same ideals.
In
October 2011, the IPU adopted its Strategy for 2012-2017 under
the overall title "Better parliaments, stronger democracy".
The
IPU is financed primarily
by its members out of public funds. The site of the Union's Headquarters is
Geneva (Switzerland).
India
joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the year 1949. Since then, India has
been an active member of the Union and has participated in all its meetings/events.
Indian Parliamentary Delegations representing the different political parties
have been attending the IPU Conferences.
IPU
in the news:
- IPU delegation in Myanmar discussed relations with and support
to the Parliament along with outstanding human rights concerns. (March 2012)
- IPU mission to Maldives urges
all sides to use parliamentary dialogue to end crisis (February 2012)
- IPU Secretary General
concludes visit to Egypt. (February 2012)
Sources:
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