Bridging Nations: The Diplomatic Symphony of Parliamentary Unity”
The International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated every year on June 30, commemorating the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1889. Here are some key points :
- Origins and Significance:
- The IPU was founded by a group of parliamentarians who believed in using parliamentary dialogue and diplomacy to settle differences instead of war.
- The IPU has grown into an international organization with 180 national parliaments and is open to all 46,000 parliamentarians worldwide.
- The Day highlights the importance of parliaments in promoting democracy, peace, and understanding.
- Themes and Activities:
- The theme for this year’s celebration is “Parliamentary diplomacy: Building bridges for peace and understanding.”
- Parliaments around the world organize events to raise awareness about the value of parliamentary diplomacy.
- Activities include sharing videos, organizing events, and communicating the recent Geneva declaration.
- Global Participation:
- Various countries participate in the celebration:
- Belarus: Recognizes the role of parliaments in promoting dialogue and de-escalating tensions in inter-state relations.
- Canada: Acknowledges the IPU’s 135th anniversary and celebrates the Day in the Canadian House of Commons.
- European Parliament: Emphasizes that parliaments are the cornerstone of democracy.
- Nepal: Plans educational events and solidarity initiatives.
- Paraguay: Issues a declaration from its Honorable Chamber of Deputies.
- Various countries participate in the celebration:
- Conclusion:
- The International Day of Parliamentarism reinforces the idea that parliamentary institutions play a crucial role in fostering peace, cooperation, and understanding among nations.
