The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
Nearly every country in the world has some form of parliament. Parliamentary systems fall into two categories: bicameral and unicameral. Out of 190 national parliaments in the world, 78 are bicameral (156 chambers) and 112 are unicameral, making a total of 268 chambers of parliament with some 44,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 180 national parliaments
Throughout the year, the IPU and its Members organize many events for parliamentarians to exchange good practices, acquire the latest information and identify avenues for action.
The IPU has been collecting data on parliaments since its inception in 1889, including information on women’s participation in politics since 1945. In this section, discover the IPU's knowledge bank for and about parliaments.
Information Seminar on the Structure and Functioning of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for French-Speaking Participants
-
Geneva Switzerland
Summary
This seminar is for parliamentary staff who serve as Secretaries of IPU Groups within Member Parliaments. It provides them with an opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of the IPU, and helps to facilitate their work in advising and assisting their parliament and its members on all matters relating to the IPU, its programmes and activities, structures and working methods.
This year's Information Seminar will be conducted in French.
Tuesday, 19 June 2018
-
Welcome of participants at IPU Headquarters; Introduction of participants and outline of their expectations of the Seminar
-
Overview of the IPU; IPU Strategy for 2018-2021 and its implementation
-
Membership and questions regarding affiliation and suspension of Members; Structure and functioning of IPU governing bodies; IPU Assemblies; Roles and responsibilities of IPU Members
-
Lunch hosted by the Secretary General
-
Group Photo and Visit of the House of Parliaments
-
Overview of the IPU’s work to promote democracy; The development of standards and norms for democratic practice; Comparative research on challenges facing parliaments; PARLINE database on national parliaments
Wednesday, 20 June 2018
-
Capacity-building and technical assistance to parliaments
The parliamentary dimension to international cooperation; Interaction with the United Nations; Parliamentary Conference on the WTO; Development cooperation and IPU work on global health issues
-
Promotion of international humanitarian law; Promotion of peace and democracy in the Middle East; Parliamentary diplomacy
Thursday, 21 June 2018
-
IPU Programme for the defence and promotion of human rights; IPU engagement with the UN Human Rights Council
-
IPU Communications Strategy
-
Lunch break
-
Departure for the United Nations Office, Geneva
-
Visit of the United Nations (Participation in the visit should be confirmed by Tuesday afternoon, at the latest)
Friday, 22 June 2018
-
Presentation of the IPU’s budget; Members’ contributions and matters relating to IPU staff; Question and answer session
-
Contribution by Members to the work of the IPU; Follow-up to IPU decisions and resolutions