|
HOME PAGE -> LATEST NEWS -> NEWS ARCHIVES (SEPTEMBER 2007 - JANUARY 2008)
News Archives
(September 2007 - January 2008)
Burundian MPs examine mainstreaming gender into the work of parliament
28 January 2008. The Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliament of Burundi are pursuing the implementation of a project in support of women MPs in Burundi. A seminar on mainstreaming gender into the work of parliament, particularly the budget, was held in Bujumbura on 15 and 16 January 2008. Close to one hundred men and women parliamentarians discussed the groundwork for mainstreaming gender into the work of parliament and priority legislative action in this field. The debates focused on the role of parliament in the budgetary process, specifically at the stages of drawing up the budget and overseeing its execution. Special attention was paid to the impact of a gender-sensitive budget on economic efficiency and equitable development. Parliamentary experts and economists from Benin, Burundi, France and Senegal set the tone for many debates in which representatives of government, civil society and international organizations working in Burundi also took part.
|
|
|
Promoting women's access to the labour market is key element of development
6 December 2007. The IPU and the International Labour Organization (ILO) will be holding a seminar, starting today, on Women and work, at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva. The keynote address will be delivered by Ms. Nouzha Skalli, Minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity of Morocco, in the presence of some 150 legislators from 55 countries. Today, women account for almost 40 per cent of the total workforce. However, they remain disadvantaged in the workplace, their employment being preponderantly unpaid or underpaid compared to men's. According to IPU President Pier Ferdinando Casini promoting women's access to the labour market and enhancing their economic input are not only key elements of development and crucial to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, but also a matter of justice. The seminar, the second of its kind, will focus on questions related to unpaid work, equal pay, and discrimination or exploitation at work. It will endeavour to define adequate parliamentary action for achieving equality between men and women in this area.
|
|
|
Seminar on sustainable development for Parliaments in Asia-Pacific
29 November 2007. The IPU, in partnership with UNDP and the National Assembly of the Lao PDR, organized a regional capacity-building seminar from 26 to 28 November 2007 in Vientiane (Lao People's Democratic Republic) on sustainable development for the parliaments of the Asia/Pacific region. The seminar focused on three topics identified by the parliaments of the region: poverty reduction, energy and biodiversity. Participants, along with several Lao and international resource persons, discussed and exchanged experiences on how to implement sustainable development. The recommendations that emerged from the meeting focus on the need for: education and sensitization; financial resources and efficient use thereof; effective cooperation at the regional, global, community and sub-national levels; and a research programme on the use of suitable technologies. MPs have called for a follow-up of the seminar whereby IPU would continue to assist parliamentarians of the Asia/Pacific region in their work on achieving sustainable development.
|
|
|
First Global Parliamentary Meeting on AIDS
28 November 2007. The First Global Parliamentary Meeting on HIV and AIDS, organized by the IPU in cooperation with the Senate of the Philippines, the United Nations Development Programme and the Secretariat of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was opened today in Manila. It is the first time that parliaments from all over the world have been convened to jointly discuss the part they have to play in responding to the AIDS epidemic. The main aim of the event is to enhance the commitment and collaboration of parliaments worldwide as crucial stakeholders in the AIDS response. The meeting is being held ahead of World AIDS Day (1 December) under the main theme of Leadership. In addition, five sub-themes will be discussed in plenary sessions or panel discussions; stigma and discrimination; affordability of drugs; vulnerable groups; legalization and criminalization issues; and budgeting. One of the highlights has been the launch of a Handbook for Parliamentarians entitled Taking action against HIV. The handbook will serve as both a call to action for parliamentary leadership and a reference book that legislators and their staff may consult for information and guidance on specific issues in relation to the AIDS response.
|
|
|
IPU-UNDP Memorandum of Understanding
21 November 2007. In the presence of IPU President Pier Ferdinando Casini, a comprehensive new Memorandum of Understanding was signed today between IPU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The document, signed by IPU Secretary-General Anders Johnsson and UNDP Assistant Administrator Olav Kjorven, is designed to enhance and expand cooperation between the two organizations, in support of democratic governance around the world. Moreover, it seeks to strengthen parliaments as crucial pillars of democracy, focusing future cooperation on a number of key areas that include national budget processes, action by parliaments in advancing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and in the implementation of major UN treaties and conventions, poverty reduction strategies, greater parliamentary involvement in development cooperation, and the political empowerment of women.
|
|
|
Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations
21 November 2007. Some 200 parliamentarians from over 70 countries attended the 2007 Parliamentary Hearing that was held over the last two days at the United Nations in New York. The record attendance testified both to the enhanced status of the Hearing as a joint IPU-UN event and to the salience of the issues under consideration, such as disarmament, international criminal justice and terrorism. The Hearing was organized with the office of the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Srgjan Kerim, who was flanked at the opening by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and IPU President Pier Ferdinando Casini. The Hearing helped shed light on the ways and means whereby the United Nations and parliaments can further work together to enforce the rule of law at both national and international levels. A final report will be issued soon. [ More on the Hearing ... ]
|
|
|
UN declares 15 September as International Day of Democracy
|
8 November 2007. Stressing the continuing need to promote democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the General Assembly today agreed to observe 15 September each year as the International Day of Democracy. In a resolution adopted by consensus, the UN recognizes the crucial role that parliaments are called upon to play in the democratization process, and welcomes the tripartite format (governments-parliaments-civil society) of the International Conference on New or Restored Democracies. In its address before the General Assembly, the IPU stressed: "It is meaningful that the International Day of Democracy has been chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Democracy [adopted by IPU member parliaments ten years ago]. The precepts and principles enshrined in this important political document are as valid today as ever before, and we invite the United Nations and its member States to more systematically integrate these core principles into their efforts to strengthen democracy worldwide. [ IPU work to promote democracy ... ]
|
|
|
MPs propose human rights-compatible options to address regular and irregular migration
29 October 2007. The theme of migration from a human rights perspective was discussed by members of parliamentary human rights committees at a seminar which took place at the IPU from 24 to 26 October. The meeting was organized by the IPU, the International Labour Organization and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The conclusions of the seminar are intended to fuel the debate and subsequent action that will be taken by the IPU membership at the 118th IPU Assembly (South Africa, April 2008) on the question of migration. Parliamentarians at the seminar said that migrants are not 'commodities' of international trade and that their rights should be fully respected by applying a rights-based approach to national laws and policies on migration. To this end, parliaments have a crucial role to play in securing ratification of the - not yet widely ratified - ILO Conventions Nos. 97 and 143 and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. They should subsequently ensure that these conventions are passed into national law and advance their full implementation. [ More on the Seminar ... ]
|
|
|
World e-parliament conference 2007
26 October 2007. Better dialogue between ICT experts and their client groups is the solution to some of the challenges common to parliaments in all parts of the world. More than 200 parliamentary officials, Secretaries General and parliamentarians exchanged experience and good practices at this 4-day conference and related meetings. They demonstrated that parliaments are using ICT in a huge variety of ways to increase the effectiveness of parliamentary procedures and enhance communication with citizens. The power of XML is being explored in parliaments as far apart as Brazil and Italy to prepare and disseminate key parliamentary documents. [ Speeches and presentations on the Global Centre for ICT in Parliament website ... ]
|
|
|
IPU Launches "Violence against Children Handbook" on Capitol Hill
23 October 2007. IPU joined UNICEF and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus in convening a panel discussion at the United States Congress on "Violence against Girls: Sexual Abuse and Exploitation – The International Parliamentary Response". With introductory remarks by Congressman Tom Lantos, Chairman of both the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, and a special performance by Ms. Sarah Jones, UNICEF spokesperson on Violence against Children and Tony Award winning playwright, actor and poet, the event received much interest during a busy day on Capitol Hill. Speakers included the Honorable Njoki Ndungu of Kenya, Honorable Mélégué Traoré of Burkina Faso and Senator Sharon Carstairs of Canada, as well as Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee, Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus and Representative Nick Lampson, co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children. The recent IPU-UNICEF publication on Violence against Children was also featured as an important tool for parliamentary work in this crucial area. [ Order or download the handbook ... ]
|
|
|
Parliamentary seminar on CEDAW
11 October 2007. Special temporary measures was the main topic of the fifth parliamentary seminar on "Implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) : the Role of Parliaments and their Members". The seminar, organized by the IPU and the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, was held on 11 October in Geneva. Members of parliament from more than 30 countries discussed their role and specific contribution to the enforcement of the CEDAW. Special attention was given to the Optional Protocol to the Convention. Members of parliament were called to ensure its speedy ratification in countries where this has not already been done. [ More on the Seminar ... ]
|
|
|
Handbook boosts prospects for new Convention on Disabilities
8 October 2007. The IPU, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) jointly launched a handbook on the newly adopted Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. Its purpose is to raise awareness of this new legal instrument among parliamentarians. In particular, the Handbook will enable legislators to become more familiar with the Convention and provide them with the tools to facilitate its ratification and subsequent implementation. Persons with disabilities – some 650 million worldwide - remain among the most marginalized in every society. While the international human rights framework has changed lives everywhere, persons with disabilities have not reaped the same benefits. Parliaments and parliamentarians have a key role to play in promoting and protecting human rights, and this Handbook is one way to help break down barriers, remove prejudices, and outlaw discrimination in the area of disability, said IPU President Pier Ferdinando Casini, as he launched the guide with former Swedish MP, Kaj Nordquist, one of the contributors to this publication.
|
|
|
Exploring the relationship between trade and climate change
4 October 2007. Over recent years, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has established a tradition of holding annual public events where representatives from government, parliament, civil society, the business sector, academia and the media jointly reflect on the functioning of the multilateral trading system. The programme of this year's WTO Public Forum included a parliamentary panel with a deliberately provocative title, "Trade and climate change: Is trade killing our planet?" The panel was organized jointly by the IPU and the European Parliament and became one of the highlights of the Forum. In a lively debate, panellists and audience exchanged views on the delicate relationship between the development imperative of international trade and the phenomenon of global warming, with a special emphasis on the state of the oceans. The conclusion was unanimous: well-coordinated and drastic measures are needed to save the earth from a looming catastrophe. [ More on the parliamentary panel ... ]
|
|
|
Parliamentary backing for an equitable and development-oriented outcome of the Doha Round
|
3 October 2007. The Steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organization held a one-day session at the IPU Headquarters in Geneva to assess the current state of affairs of the multilateral trade negotiations under WTO auspices and to exchange views on ways of stepping up the parliamentary contribution to the revitalization of the Doha Round. The Committee held a hearing with ambassadors of the four major trading powers (Brazil, India, European Union and USA) and also met with the Ambassador of New Zealand, who is the current chair of the WTO negotiating group on agriculture. At the end of the session, the Steering Committee adopted a statement urging governments to spare no efforts in ensuring an equitable and development-oriented outcome of the Doha Round. A compromise lies on the path of mutual, balanced and fair concessions, taking into account the overall world economic landscape and the enormous risks involved in a continued stalemate of WTO talks, said the Steering Committee. [ See full text of the statement ... ]
|
|
|
New look of PARLINE database on national parliaments
|
1 October 2007. The PARLINE database on national parliaments is a comprehensive and authoritative source of information on the structure, composition and working methods of every national parliamentary chamber in the world. The first phase of a radical overhaul of the PARLINE user interface has now been completed, allowing users to search by country and region, create dynamic graphs and export data, such as lists of parliamentary contacts. [ Access the PARLINE database ... ]
|
|
|
International review of induction and professional development programmes for parliamentarians
|
1 October 2007. For new parliamentarians, the change of status upon election is obvious and instantaneous. Irrespective of their professional background or political experience, parliamentarians find their new role vastly different from non-parliamentary roles. IPU is seeking to contribute to the design of effective induction programmes for new members by developing criteria for evaluating parliamentary programmes, in partnership with Monash University (Australia). As part of the review, questionnaires for parliamentary chambers and new members of parliament can be downloaded or completed online. [ More on the review of induction and professional development programmes ... ]
|
|
|
Foreign Minister of Maldives at The House of Parliaments
20 September 2007. The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Maldives, Mr. Abdulla Shahid, paid a visit to the Headquarters of the IPU. Discussions with the IPU Secretary General, Anders B. Johnsson, focused on the referendum that had just taken place on the new Constitution, the efforts now underway to finalise and adopt the Constitution and the cooperation that the IPU could extend to this process and to the Maldivian Parliament. The IPU has been actively engaged with authorities of the Maldives regarding the defence of the human rights of parliamentarians. [ More on the human rights of parliamentarians ... ]
|
|
|
Parliamentarians in Lebanon increasingly under threat
20 September 2007. A six-member parliamentary delegation from the National Assembly of Lebanon came to the IPU to discuss the contribution that the Assembly can make to strengthening respect for human rights. After a presentation from Belgian Senator Philippe Mahoux, a member of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, particular attention was paid to how Parliament can make use of its potential to rally different communities around a common vision for the future that is acceptable to all. They also discussed the situation of members of parliament in particular in Lebanon, as the parliamentary visit came one day after the Lebanese parliamentarian, Mr. Antoine Ghanem, was murdered.
|
|
|
Gender-sensitive budget key to economic efficiency
19 September 2007. A gender-blind approach to the national budget generates an incomplete picture of its impact on all sectors of the population, may disadvantage women and ultimately hinders policy effectiveness. These are just a few of the questions to be addressed at the seminar organized by the IPU on Parliament and the budgetary process, including from a gender perspective, which will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) from today until 21 September 2007. One of the key roles of parliament is to question and oversee the implementation of the national budget. Open to members of parliament, parliamentary staff and experts, the seminar will focus on ways of ensuring effective parliamentary oversight of the budget: how it is prepared, how it operates, how to secure proper parliamentary reading and analysis, and how the national audit functions. Its objective is to contribute to a better functioning of parliaments in the European and Central Asian region so that these parliaments can in turn participate more effectively in the enhancement of democracy and good governance as the foundations of development. [ More on the Seminar ... ]
|
|
|
IPU President received by Mr. Wu Bangguo
4 September 2007. IPU President Pier Ferdinando Casini paid an official visit to China from August 26 to 30, at the invitation of Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC). While meeting with Chairman Wu, President Casini spoke positively of the contribution that NPC had made to promote IPU reform and development, stressing that the IPU values its ties with the NPC and expects the NPC to play a bigger role on various IPU issues. Wu said that, as an important platform for parliamentary diplomacy and multilateral interaction, the IPU had played a unique role in international affairs and the development of relations among nations, for which China expresses its appreciation. President Casini elaborated his ideas on presiding over IPU activities and reiterated that the IPU would continue to press ahead with its reforms to increase the organization's efficiency and influence on international affairs. The cooperation between IPU and the United Nations as well as the reaffiliation of the US Congress to the IPU was also highlighted. Chairman Wu spoke highly of IPU reform and stressed that China, as one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, would support cooperation between IPU and UN. President Casini and Chairman Wu Bangguo also exchanged views on many international issues, including Iraq, anti-terrorism, and Darfur, and reached broad consensus. Casini spoke highly of China's strengthened role in the international arena, and Wu pledged China's support to IPU's efforts in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.
|
|
|
IPU President visited Shanghai and Kunmig
4 September 2007. During his visit to China, President Casini held working talks with Mr. Lu Congmin, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the NPC and Member of the IPU Executive Committee. President Casini also had a breakfast meeting with Mr. Chen Guangyi, Chairman of the NPC China-Italy Friendship Group and Mr. Yang Guoliang, Vice Chairman of the Group. Besides Beijing, Mr. Casini, accompanied by Mr. Lu Congmin, also visited Shanghai and Kunming and met with leaders of the local People's Congresses.
|
|
|
|
|
HOME PAGE
Return to Latest News
