Dimension: 1.11.4 Parliamentary diplomacy
This dimension examines the role of parliamentary diplomacy as an important part of international cooperation. By supporting political dialogue and mediation, parliamentary diplomacy plays a role in conflict prevention and crisis management, and contributes to finding solutions to political challenges at the international, regional and national levels. It helps to strengthen dialogue between countries and increase mutual understanding.
Parliamentary diplomacy can be conducted through bilateral relations between parliaments or through multilateral, international and regional organizations and channels. Engagement between MPs from different countries opens new channels for dialogue and offers a degree of flexibility when addressing complex issues. MPs are often included in official delegations during State visits and international events, which can offer opportunities for parliamentary diplomacy.
Parliaments regularly organize incoming and outgoing visits with other parliaments. There are also more formal arrangements, such as parliamentary friendship groups, that involve regular exchanges of views between MPs from different countries.
Information gained through parliamentary diplomacy also strengthens the work of MPs at the national level and provides them with the means to play an active role in scrutinizing foreign policy and the implementation of international agreements.
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Transparency
Clear and transparent procedures are in place for deciding on parliamentary diplomacy activities, including forming friendship groups, and organizing bilateral visits and international engagements.....
No 2: Inclusiveness
There are opportunities for all MPs, including women and young MPs, to participate in parliamentary diplomacy activities. Parliamentary delegations are inclusive of different political groups.
No 3: Reporting
MPs are required to report back to parliament on their international engagements and other parliamentary diplomacy activities. Parliament monitors and regularly reports on follow-up action taken as a result of parliamentary diplomacy, including how resolutions of multilateral bodies have been addressed.
No 4: Communication with the executive
There are well-established channels of communication with the executive about parliamentary diplomacy activities..
No 5: Resources
MPs have access to appropriate resources to support parliamentary diplomacy and international engagements, including financial resources, timely information and administrative support.
How to complete this assessment
This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based.
The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:
- Agendas of official bilateral engagements demonstrating parliamentary involvement
- Name lists for parliamentary delegations demonstrating a political, age and gender balance
- Reports from parliamentary committees, delegations and/or political groups on international engagements, indicating the outcomes achieved
- Items in parliament’s budget for parliamentary diplomacy activities
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
Sources and further reading
- Daniel Fiott, “On the Value of Parliamentary Diplomacy”, Madriaga Papers (2011).
- Geert Hamilton, Parliamentary diplomacy: diplomacy with a democratic mandate (2012).
- Davor Jančić and Stelios Stavridis, “Introduction: The Rise of Parliamentary Diplomacy in International Politics”, The Hague Journal of Democracy Democracy The belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is held either by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves. Also, a basic right of citizenship to be exercised under conditions of freedom, equality, transparency and responsibility, with due respect for the plurality of views, and in the interest of the polity. (2016).
Get help with this assessment
The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators.
Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.
URL copied to clipboard