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OVERVIEW
The IPU is the international organization of Parliaments of sovereign States (Article 1 of the Statutes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union). It was established in 1889.
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:
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Fosters contacts, co-ordination, and the exchange of experience
among parliaments and parliamentarians of all countries;
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Considers questions of international interest and concern
and expresses its views on such issues in order to bring about action by parliaments and parliamentarians;
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Contributes to the defence and promotion of human rights --
an essential factor of parliamentary democracy and development;
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Contributes to better knowledge of the working of representative
institutions and to the strengthening and development of their
means of action.
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The IPU supports the efforts of the United Nations, whose objectives
it shares, and works in close co-operation with it. It 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.
Over a hundred-forty national parliaments are currently members of the IPU. Seven regional parliamentary assemblies are Associate Members. Most members are affiliated to one of the six geopolitical groups that are currently active in the IPU.
The IPU is financed primarily by its members out of public funds. Its budget for 2008 totals 20.1 million Swiss Francs, including voluntary contributions.
The site of the Union's Headquarters is Geneva (Switzerland).
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, send us your questions or contact the
Union's Information Officer at the following address (as of 1 January 2003):
| Inter-Parliamentary Union
5, chemin du Pommier
Case postale 330
CH-1218 Le Grand-Saconnex / Geneva
Switzerland |
Telephone: (4122) 919 41 50
Fax: (4122) 919 41 60
E-mail: postbox@mail.ipu.org |
For information concerning job vacancies at the IPU Secretariait, visit a special page at this site.
Click here for information on Consultancy work opportunities in technical assistance to parliaments.
To get in touch with the Office of the Permanent Observer of the IPU to the United Nations in New York, use the following contact information:
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