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.
The health and socio-economic shocks brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted significantly young men and women all around the world. A new chapter for youth empowerment is needed and this new chapter must be at the heart of post-pandemic recovery efforts.
The 2021 Conference will focus on: preserving and fulfilling fundamental youth rights and stepping up youth empowerment across the pandemic recovery efforts; exploring the best means to promote youth participation in shaping youth-responsive recovery; providing guidance on how to reinforce education systems, maximize youth employment, and adjust health services everywhere.
To build intergenerational solidarity and support, and to mobilize parliamentarians of all ages for youth empowerment, this seventh edition of the Conference is open to both young and senior parliamentarians.
Related documents and websites
Call to Action – On young women’s political participation and leadership / Appel à l'action – Participation et leadership politiques des jeunes femmes (En/Fr)
IPU celebrates 10 years of empowering youth / L'UIP fête 10 ans d'autonomisation des jeunes (En/Fr)
Youth participation in national parliaments, 2018 / La représentation des jeunes dans les parlements nationaux, 2018 (En/Fr)
Infographic - Youth in Parliament in 2018 / Infographie Représentation des jeunes dans les parlements en 2018 (En/Fr)
IPU Resolution on "Youth Participation in the Democratic Process"/Résolution de l'UIP sur "La participation des jeunes au processus démocratique" (En/Fr)
Sixth IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians (Asunción, 9-10 September 2019) (En/Fr) - Cinquième Conférence mondiale des jeunes parlementaires de l’UIP (Asunción, 9-10 septembre 2019)
Fifth IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians (Baku, 14-15 December 2018) (En/Fr) - Cinquième Conférence mondiale des jeunes parlementaires de l’UIP (Bakou, 14-15 décembre 2018)
Fourth IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians (Ottawa, 17-18 November 2017) (En/Fr) - Quatrième Conférence mondiale des jeunes parlementaires de l’UIP (Ottawa, 17-18 novembre 2017)
Third IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians (Lusaka, 16-17 March 2016) (En/Fr) - Troisième Conférence mondiale UIP des jeunes parlementaires (Lusaka, 16-17 mars 2016)
Second IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians (Tokyo, 27-28 May 2015) (En/Fr)– Deuxième Conférence mondiale UIP des jeunes parlementaires (Tokyo, 27-28 mai 2015)
First IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians (Geneva, 10-11 October 2014) (En/Fr) - Première Conférence mondiale UIP des jeunes parlementaires (Genève, 10-11 octobre 2014)