The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was founded in 1889 by two backbench
MPs: Frederic Passy from France, and William Randal Cremer from Westminster.
It is a world-wide organisation of parliamentarians working for peace
and co-operation among peoples and the firm establishment of representative
institutions.
International relations are conducted at inter-governmental level by ministers,
state officials and ambassadors. Complementing this, however, is the all-party
network of parliamentarians from the IPU's 148 member parliaments which
has achieved many successes. Even when their governments are in dispute,
parliamentarians meet at IPU Assemblies - and at other special meetings
- to debate issues of international concern.
The IPU seeks to establish friendship and co-operation between parliamentarians
so that the views of ordinary people have a better chance of influencing
events. To this end, the IPU is supported by an International
Secretariat in Geneva with responsibility for co-ordinating the IPU's
world-wide activities. In particular, there are annual Assemblies and
a series of specialised meetings, including those linked with United Nations
agencies.
The British Group, in common with other national groups in most other countries,
consists of members of all parties from both Houses of Parliament. Membership
is open to all members of the House of Commons and House of Lords for a
small subscription.
The Chairman and Officers are elected at each Annual General Meeting. As
at 5 December 2007 they are:-
| Chair: |
Dr Roger Berry MP |
Vice
Chairs: |
Ms Christine Russell MP and
Mr Nigel Evans MP |
| Treasurer: |
Sir Nicholas Winterton DL MP |
| Secretary: |
Mr Kenneth Courtenay |
