There have been many proposals aimed at UN reform. One of the most promising is the United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. It would provide citizen's representation through a popularly elected chamber and help democratize the organization.

Democracy advocates have noted that the UN Charter restricts final decision-making power to the permanent five Security Council nations who hold veto power. This favored status excludes the world community from decision-making on global issues -- unacceptable in a democracy.

Some argue that this lack of democracy at the global level is both the source of many of today's problems as well as the main impediment to solving them.

Demanding more democratic control over globalization

The addition of the Parliamentary Assembly could provide more democratic control of globalization according to former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Proponents cite the need for democratic oversight of such institutions as the World Trade Organization and the World Bank in order to be more responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.

America often voices its belief in democracy. A UN with more democratic representation by means of adding a UN Parliamentary Assembly supports this core American value.

In spite of world support, the US has remained silent

The Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly has gained support from over 600 parliamentarians from 125 countries. The Canadian Parliament, European Parliament, Pan-African Parliament and Latin American Parliament have all adopted supportive resolutions.

However, up until recently the U.S. Congress has been silent --showing little interest in promoting democracy at the global level.

US Senator Cardin breaks America's silence

In what may become a significant breakthrough, U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-Md) finally stepped up last year to become the first member of Congress to endorse the Campaign. Subsequently former Congressman Paul Findley (R-Ill) signaled his support, joined by former SenatorAdlai Stevenson III (D-Ill).

Will Congress follow suit and help bring democracy to the UN?

Cardin's support for the UNPA helps draw attention to the Campaign, and perhaps can spark a new dialogue in Congress about the value to the world community of creating a democratic UN.

World federalists see the UNPA strategy as an important step along one of the paths to a democratic world federation. Participation by the U.S. Congress can accelerate this transformation.

While adding a UN Parliamentary Assembly will not immediately change the UN's underlying undemocratic political structure, it may be a step in the right direction as it highlights the challenge to the UN to transform into a true democracy hopefully with the full support of the U.S. Congress.

Praise from the Democratic World Federalists

The Democratic World Federalists support this and other actions to create a democratically elected, federal global government. We see this as humanity's best chance for a peaceful, just, and sustainable world. Click here to find out how you can get involved.