Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union IPU 

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), whose headquarters have been in Geneva since 1921, is the international organisation of parliaments. It was founded in 1889 and is the oldest international institution of a political nature.

The IPU’s aims are:

1. to facilitate contact, coordination and the exchange of ideas between parliaments and members of parliament of all countries;
2. to address issues of international interest and to give an opinion on them with a view to encouraging action on the part of parliaments and members of parliament; such issues concern peace and security, sustainable development, women in politics, education, science and culture;
3. to help to defend and promote human rights – an essential factor in parliamentary democracy and development – and humanitarian law, and in particular the human rights of members of parliament;
4. to help improve awareness of how representative institutions function and to strengthen and develop their means of action.

From 16 to 19 October 2011, the Federal Assembly has hosted in Bern the 125th IPU Assembly. For further information regarding this event, please visit the following website:

• www.125-uip.ch
• Visit of the Library of Parliament