Case studies

Launched in April 2021, the IPU’s I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament! campaign continued to yield results in 2023. Inviting parliamentarians and others to sign up for six key pledges, the campaign aims to correct the significant under-representation of

Iceland has an excellent record on gender equality, topping the World Economic Forum’s ranking of most gender equal country for 14 consecutive years. It was also the first country to elect a female president, Vigdis Finnbogadóttir, who won the 1980

In August 2023, Members of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians travelled to Iraq, pleading for the swift release of an opposition MP who had been arrested arbitrarily a decade earlier. The arrest had happened early one

Democracy is not an easy concept to measure, but when the IPU and partners produced the Indicators for Democratic Parliaments, several parliaments tested out this self-assessment toolkit, including Pakistan’s upper house, the Senate. Since independence in 1947, Pakistan’s democratic credentials

When Benin requested support with the management of its chemicals and related waste, the IPU connected the west African Parliament with experts at the United Nations and organized a training course for parliamentarians. Less than a year later, the National

Latin America has a wealth of vital natural resources, but it also struggles with deforestation, rapid biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. In an era of escalating environmental challenges, this puts it on the front line of the battle for

The Parliament of Cambodia is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact and promote eco-friendly practices in a good example of how to decarbonize a parliament. The adoption of solar power on the Senate’s premises efficiently cuts down on carbon

In a world grappling with the pressing need to address climate change, the German Bundestag offers an interesting case study in how to reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact. The measures implemented by the Bundestag since July 2022 encompass

As part of the IPU’s climate campaign Parliaments for the Planet, we are focusing on good climate practices by parliaments around the world which can be replicated elsewhere. The Federal National Council (FNC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is

This case study on parliamentary public engagement was written based on information provided by the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China. How does a parliament engage with its constituents in such a vast and populous country as China? How does

As part of its Parliaments for the Planet climate campaign, the IPU is collecting examples of good practice from parliaments around the world. In this case study, we focus on the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania. In

To shape a more sustainable, equitable future, young people will need democratic skills. Here’s how the Austrians are leading the change.

As part of the IPU’s climate campaign Parliaments for the Planet, we are focusing on good climate practice by parliaments around the world which can be replicated elsewhere. The European Parliament, an IPU Associate Member, is a good example of

Parliament buildings are often statements revealing a country’s vision, traditions and culture. Here are the five types of plenary halls and their political significance. As former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill commented: “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings

Helping young people to learn about parliament is vital for the future of democracy. Parliaments have been engaging young people in recent decades in various ways, such as school tours, role play games, youth parliaments and competitions. The common aim

In many countries, MPs face significant risks for simply doing their jobs. In some extreme cases, MPs who are critical of the governing powers are incarcerated, tortured or even murdered. Those responsible for such acts rarely face any legal consequences

Although the buildings that house Lithuania’s Seimas are relatively recent compared to the parliament buildings of some of its European neighbours (the construction of the first building began in 1976), the Seimas has still been able to take a number

Parliaments often seek to reflect citizens' diverse ideas and expertise in their law-making and budgeting activities. By expanding contacts with experts and interested citizens on specific issues, parliamentarians can increase their understanding of the problems at stake and respond more

The Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. The landlocked mountainous country has a fragile ecosystem with around 2,700 glaciers which are beginning to melt, causing floods and landslides. The country suffers from prolonged

Renewed IPU efforts and advocacy have brought new ratifications to international treaties on peace and security, including both the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The ratification of such treaties does not necessarily bring