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Global Parliamentary Report

The Global Parliamentary Report (GPR) is jointly produced by IPU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and draws on input from parliaments worldwide. It analyses the major issues affecting parliamentary practice and identifies current trends and good practices. It also offers policy options for parliaments to respond to current challenges.

The first GPR, published in 2012, was entitled “The changing nature of parliamentary representation”. It analysed the changing relations between parliaments and citizens, and suggested how parliamentary strategies for meeting public expectations could be improved. The report sought to stimulate discussion and change in parliaments, leading to better parliaments and stronger democracies. It argued that to address the current low level of trust in parliaments, MPs must engage with citizens, stay closely attuned to their needs and make every effort to meet them. 

With continuing evidence of the fragile nature of democracy, it seemed prudent to closely examine a fundamental principle of relevance to all countries —parliament’s power of oversight. The second GPR, published in 2017, is entitled “Parliamentary oversight: Parliament's power to hold government to account”. The report seeks to provide a global perspective on how oversight is practiced, as well as to be a catalyst for renewed focus in parliaments on oversight. Parliamentary oversight is extremely important to democracy, to the quality of government and to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The third Global Parliamentary Report examines public engagement in the work of parliament. The information, findings and recommendations in this report set out a road map for enhanced public engagement by parliaments and parliamentarians, working collaboratively with the community to achieve participatory, inclusive and responsive parliaments.