I hope a full report will be produced for our deliberations. I will highlight a few penetrating points. If it becomes remote from people s needs and understanding, it is in jeopardy. Political parties must equally enhance their principles and processes of democracy. Emerging democracies have the challenge of transforming their national armies and governments that are democratic in name only, are very dangerous because they are a lie and teach the people only distrust and cynicism.
Democracies face a particular and terrible challenge if their people live in great poverty.
The high cost of elections is a great concern - it excludes many people from parliament and it is open to corruption. There was recognition and approval that this conference has brought together people and institutions who usually don t meet. It was also recognized that the UN deals principally with governments, not generally parliament and that this should change. Our second session was headed Parliamentary Relations with the Executive and Judiciary. Once again there was a clear consensus in support of the separation of powers between the Executive, Parliament and Judiciary and for all to be equal - no one more important than the others.