07 aug New Policy Statement
THE BOARD OF THE PARLIAMENTARY FORUM ON SALW ADOPTS POLICY STATEMENT ON PARLIAMENTARY STRENGTHENING FOR DEMOCRATIC, PEACEFUL AND SUSTAINABLY DEVELOPED SOCIETIES
Democracy overall has made significant progress over the last 40 years and is widely considered essential for guaranteeing human rights, basic freedoms and equality, ultimately promoting peace and sustainable development. However, in recent years policymakers and scholars are pointing to tendencies of a decline of democracy worldwide and that the spread of democracy has stopped or even reversed. While some views may be overly pessimistic, democracy should not be taken for granted and there is reason to be concerned.
As an international organisation of parliamentarians, the Forum believes that safeguarding democracy is fundamental to peaceful and sustainably developed societies and the need to strengthen democratic institutions and restoring faith in them is more vital than ever.
The statement addresses the general debate on state of democracy, the role of the Forum and parliamentarians in relation to peace, security and sustainable development as well as the gender aspect. The statement also calls for investments in parliamentary work and parliamentary institutions, ultimately safeguarding democracy as a fundamental way to peaceful and sustainably developed societies.
Access the Policy Statement here: http://parliamentaryforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Parlforum-Policy-Statement-on-Parliamentary-Strengthening-for-Democratic-Peaceful-and-Sustainably-Developed-Societies.pdf