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1. Background The IPU’s Annual Parliamentary Hearing bring members of parliament to the United Nations Headquarters in New York for an interactive discussion with high-ranking UN officials, representatives of Member States and experts drawn from think tanks and civil society organizations. In accordance with the provisions of the General Assembly Resolution on cooperation between the UN and the IPU (http://www.ipu.org/un-e/a-61-L6-e.pdf), the Hearing is a joint event of the two organizations, heralding a greater political commitment on the part of the United Nations to hear the views of parliaments on some of the most urgent issues of our times. Among other things, the Hearing provides an opportunity for members of parliament to meet and hear from the United Nations management team. The conclusions of the Hearing are circulated to the wider UN community as well as to all national parliaments.[1] 2. Programme for the Parliamentary Hearing The main theme of the Hearing, which took place in New York on 28-29 November 2011, was: Strengthening political accountability for a more peaceful and prosperous world. Panel sessions on this theme addressed the following issues: 1. The role of the United Nations General Assembly in strengthening global accountability; 2. Youth participation in the democratic process – challenges and opportunities; 3. Accountability in the management of public funds – good practices and model legislation for budget transparency; 4. Strengthening the links between national institutions and civil society – toward more open societies. The full programme, with more details on the theme and the complete list of panellists, may be found online.[2] 3. The Canadian Delegation The Parliamentary Hearing was attended by parliamentarians from 49 countries as well as several regional parliaments. Representatives of Permanent Missions to the United Nations, as well as of intergovernmental and civil society organizations, also participated. The Canadian IPU Group was represented by the following parliamentarians: from the Senate of Canada, the Honourable Donald Oliver H. Oliver, Q.C. and from the House of Commons, the Honourable Irwin Cotler, MP and Ms. Joyce Bateman, MP. 4. The Parliamentary Hearing A detailed summary report of the Parliamentary Hearing produced by the IPU may be found online at: www.ipu.org/splz-e/unga11/smry.pdf.
Respectfully submitted,
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