The Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA)

www.e-fipa.org

About FIPA

"The Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas is a joint initiative involving parliamentarians throughout the Americas who share common interests, based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law, respect for individual rights and sustainable development. Our purpose is to strengthen these interests in the region through increased dialogue, cooperation and interconnectivity."
- Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette, FIPA Chair

FIPA is committed to promoting parliamentary participation in the inter-American system and to developing inter-parliamentary dialogue on issues of importance to the hemisphere. FIPA seeks to encourage the sharing of experiences and best practices amongst it's members, and works to strengthen the role of legislatures in democratic development and to promote harmonization of legislation and hemispheric integration as instruments of sustainable and harmonious development in the region.

How Does FIPA Work?

FIPA members are the national legislatures of governments who are members of the OAS (Organization of American States).

At yearly Plenary Meetings, parliamentarians representing their respective legislatures discuss themes of importance in the Americas and determine action to be taken. The Work Groups, the Executive Committee or the Technical Secretariat then act on these decisions.

FIPA Permanent Working Groups

Working Groups are created at the Plenary Assembly to enable parliamentarians to give special attention to important or pressing issues. The most active of these groups continue to meet and work together throughout the year. These groups, which meet on-line and face-to-face, include:

• The Special Work Group on Terrorism
• The FTAA Work Group
• The Group of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas

More information on the activities of these groups can be found on the Virtual Parliament of the Americas website.

The Virtual Parliament of the Americas

The Virtual Parliament of the Americas hosts the FIPA home page and is an online tool enabling parliamentarians to communicate and work together on issues of hemispheric importance. The site includes discussion forums, news about FIPA and its activities, information on subjects of hemispheric concern and information about FIPA Working Groups. The Virtual Parliament Project was undertaken with the cooperation of the Parliamentary Centre, Bellanet International and Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA)

The Parliamentary Centre has also been active in a number of other FIPA projects and has been instrumental in the overall functioning of FIPA.

For further information about FIPA please visit our website at www.e-fipa.org or contact the Technical Secretariat at info-fipa@e-fipa.org