Global Capacity Building Initiative for Parliamentarians

The Institute, in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has launched a joint Global Capacity Building Initiative for Parliamentarians on Sustainable Development. The initiative seeks to:

• Strengthen the capacity of elected representatives and citizens to engage more effectively on key issues and processes of international policy-making
• Strengthen networks and capacities of elected representatives and citizens within and among regions
• Improve oversight of executive action, strengthening national implementation, and securing more effective, transparent and accountable international decision-making

The initiative was inaugurated at the French Senate in April 2005 at a meeting of over 250 participants representing 70 parliaments and focusing on challenges of global governance in areas such as international trade, water and climate change. The Institute also supported a November 2005 meeting of 24 Arab parliaments to discuss regional water issues.

The initiative is being developed in collaboration with a range of partners, including UNEP, UNCTAD and other international organizations, through international conferences, regional and sub-regional workshops, web and on-line resources, and a range of training materials and networking activities.

Through this and other projects, the Institute seeks to strengthen the capabilities of citizens’ organizations, local and national government officials and staff of international organizations to secure more effective, accountable and democratic laws and institutions for sustainable development.