The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated on 30 June every year by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to recognise the importance of the parliaments in national plans and strategies.
- For the year 2022 the theme was public engagement following the launch of the Global Parliamentary Report 2022.
- The IPU Executive Committee will also meet for a special meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay to celebrate the 133rd anniversary of the IPU.
Historical background:
i.30 June 1889 marked the establishment of the IPU. It was formed with the support of William Randal Cremer and Frederic Passy. Both had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1903 & 1901 respectively for their efforts in finding solutions to international disputes through peaceful means.
ii.They also helped in establishing the Permanent Court of Arbitration (1899) in Hague, Switzerland.
iii.It was established in 2018 through a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution A/RES/72/278.
Point to be noted:
- Frederic Passy & Henry Dunant are the recipients of the first Nobel Prize for Peace (1901).
- Henry Dunant received the award for his role in establishing the International Committee of the Red Cross and Frederic Passy received the honor for being the main founder of the IPU and for organizing the first Universal Peace Congress.
Key points:
i.It highlights the importance of the Parliament in securing the democratic rights of citizens.
ii.It recognized the role of parliaments in national plans and strategies and in ensuring greater transparency and accountability at national and global levels.
Global Parliamentary Report 2022:
i.It is the third Global Parliamentary Report that examines public engagement in the work of parliament.
ii.It was launched in four different languages- English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
About Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU):
Headquarters-Geneva, Switzerland
President-Saber Hossain Chowdhury
