Voices

Voices is part of a new IPU web series in which we interview parliamentarians from around the world. The views and opinions they express are their own and do not necessarily reflect the IPU’s position. Marta Grande, young MP from

Statement by Melvin Bouva, President of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname on International Youth Day International Youth Day is a recognition of one of humanity’s most valuable resources: the enthusiasm

Susan Kihika, Kenyan MP and President of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, on the barriers preventing women from running for office. She was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. Watch other

Aslaug Sigurbjornsdottir, MP from Iceland, on how young people can be encouraged to run for parliament. She was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. Watch other interviews from the 140th IPU

Dennis Dawson, MP from Canada, on the role of parliamentary diplomacy. He was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019 Watch other interviews from the 140th IPU Assembly in Doha.

Nimo Boulhan Houssein, MP from Djibouti, on the barriers preventing women from running for office. She was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. (Video in French) Watch other interviews from the

Dorji Khandu, MP from Bhutan, on how to encourage young people to run for parliament. He was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. Watch other interviews from the 140th IPU Assembly

Silvia Monica Dinica, MP from Romania, on the barriers preventing women from running for office. She was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. Watch other interviews from the 140th IPU Assembly

Juan Pablo Letelier, MP from Chile, on the human rights of parliamentarians and on what we need to do on climate change. He was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10 April 2019. Watch

Anne Tolley, MP from New Zealand and Second Vice-President of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, on the barriers that prevent women from running for office. She was speaking at the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Doha, 6-10

IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong speaks about the challenges faced by the current architecture of multilateralism and the importance of making it relevant again. He was at the IPU-UN Parliamentary Hearing, held from 21-22 February 2019. Watch the other videos

Philippe Gosselin, parliamentarian from France, speaks about the challenges faced by the multilateral system and explains how parliaments can reinforce the public's confidence in international organizations. He was at the IPU-UN Parliamentary Hearing, held from 21-22 February 2019. (Video in

Safa Alhashem, parliamentarian from Kuwait, speaks about the challenges faced by the multilateral system and explains how parliaments can reinforce the public's confidence in international organizations. She was at the IPU-UN Parliamentary Hearing, held from 21-22 February 2019. Watch the

Kool Sonny Bayone, MP from the Central African Republic, speaks about the challenges faced by the multilateral system and how parliaments can reinforce the public's confidence in international organizations. He was at the IPU-UN Parliamentary Hearing, held from 21-22 February

Cecilia Widegren, parliamentarian from Sweden, speaks about the challenges faced by the multilateral system and explains how parliaments can reinforce the public's confidence in international organizations. She was at the IPU-UN Parliamentary Hearing, held from 21-22 February 2019. Watch the

“When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness” wrote Alexis de Tocqueville, one of the great French theorists of democracy of the 19 th century. As the IPU enters its 130 th year, the spirit of our founding members is still very much alive at a time when parliamentary democracy is threatened in many parts of the world. This year, we look forward to celebrating our anniversary with you, by looking back at our rich history, in order to guide and illuminate us for the future.

By Gabriela Cuevas, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Liliane Maury Pasquier, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we call on parliaments to build

Raphael Igbokwe, MP in the Nigerian Federal House of Representatives, President of the Forum of Young MPs in Nigeria and a former member of the IPU’s Forum of Young Parliamentarians, inaugurates the section. The IPU interviewed Raphael Igbokwe on the

IPU President and Mexican Senator Gabriela Cuevas talks about how the Mexican authorities have been consulting with various groups in the country to achieve the SDGs, including indigenous peoples. She also talks about how the IPU helps parliaments to achieve

Jiko Fatafehi Luveni, Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji, explains what Fiji is doing to achieve the SDGs. The priorities are to address poverty and improve levels of unemployment. Ms. Luveni was attending the parliamentary side events at the UN