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.
Entitled Towards a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration: A parliamentary perspective, the 2018 Parliamentary Hearing will contribute to a major debate on migration that will culminate with a United Nations Conference in the last quarter of 2018 (dates and venue to be decided).
The Hearing will allow for a comprehensive parliamentary perspective on key questions of migration and help inform the United Nations negotiations of the Global Compact – a new framework for the practical arrangements that need to be in place globally and nationally to ensure migration is properly managed with due regard for the human rights of migrants and the sovereign rights of States.
The Hearing will build on the input provided by parliamentarians, as a distinct constituency, throughout the official consultative process for the Global Compact. It will follow a half day multi-stakeholder hearing on 21 February with representatives from civil society, the private sector and academia. Parliamentarians wishing to participate in this consultation need to check the appropriate box in the registration form.
Opening session with Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President, 72nd General Assembly, and Ms. Gabriela Cuevas Barron, President, IPU, followed by an video presentation
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Migration today: main facts, agreed principles, and gaps
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National policies and local responses: best practices and the need for coordination
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Lunch break
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Addressing large movements: domestic initiatives and international cooperation
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Social cohesion and integration of migrants
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Reception
Friday, 23 February 2018
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Realizing the human rights of all migrants: a whole-of-government approach
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From irregular to regular status: common principles and best practices
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Lunch
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The political and social participation of migrants in decision-making
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The Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and follow-up : the role of parliaments