If you feel that our current political system is inadequate to deal with growing global challenges, you are not alone! Join our week of action on October 16-25 2020 to call for the establishment of a World Parliament that will give real representation to all citizens.
As global crises increase, people across the world, from diverse backgrounds and cultures, express their discontent with existing forms of political representation, which leave them voiceless in global decision-making.
We have many, many global problems. From the wrecking of our life-supporting ecosystems to the failure to protect human rights, incomplete nuclear disarmament, lack of regulation of global markets and financial systems , to overcoming socio-economic inequalities – these and many others are all global problems that require global solutions. But who is accountable for dealing with these problems from a truly global perspective?
In order to create global solutions we need a global political body that can facilitate global democratic discussions and take global decisions. Today, the world’s citizens have little influence on decisions taken at institutions such as the UN, the IMF, the WTO, the World Bank, the G20 or the G8. The governments represented in these bodies – bodies frequently made up by a small self-selected group – meet and decide our future, while often being influenced heavily by the lobbyists of global corporations. The primary concern of these governments is to defend what they consider to be in their national interests and not the common good of humanity and the environment.
Who should speak for the people of the world? The people should decide for themselves!
In a democratic order, citizens already elect representatives at multiple levels. There are city councils, provincial or state parliaments and national parliaments. In Europe there’s even a continental parliament. And yet for global matters that affect each and every person on the planet, there exists no elected world parliament.
A world parliament would be an instrument to find and implement solutions that are democratic, accountable and serve the best interest of humanity. It would reflect the social,
political, religious, ethnical, and cultural variety of all the world’s citizens, transcending national boundaries.
We, the participants in this week of action, agree on the fundamental idea that the world’s citizens should vote for their world representatives. There are many different ideas about how a world parliament could function. Some of us believe that it should be enhanced with mechanisms allowing electronic and direct citizens participation. Yet, we are united in diversity, and united in our call:
Let the people decide. We need democracy without borders. We need to build global democracy. We need a world parliament!
We call on individuals, organizations, groups and movements everywhere to organize and join us during the Global Week of Action for a World Parliament. Come and speak up for global democracy!
Here are some examples for actions you could take:
- Endorse the UNPA Campaign. Use this online form and add your name to the growing list of international supporters. Ask your family, friends, and colleagues to endorse the campaign, too. Then ask them to ask their friends. Send them the link to the online form.
- Contact your elected representatives. The representatives of the constituency in which you vote should care about your views. Ask your local member of parliament to endorse the UNPA Campaign’s appeal. Here is a form that you can print out. Getting elected representatives on board is crucial to create the political support that the campaign needs.
- You are a member of a political party or an NGO? Present the campaign’s appeal and ask the board or the general meeting of your organization to formally endorse it. Once this was achieved, your organization’s support can be registered with this online form.
- Take a picture of yourself or a group of friends holding a sign with a slogan supporting a world parliament (click here for an example of a group holding separate letters). If you’re stuck for something to write, the sign or banner could just say: “World Parliament Now!” Then send it to us and post it online. The hashtag is #worldparliament
- Organize public events or demonstrations at universities, public squares, social centers, national parliaments and municipal assemblies,
- Organize a Model Global Parliament, for example at your local college or University.
- Like our Facebook and Twitter pages and help us make them go viral: invite your friends and share our posts.