The two-day summit of speakers or deputy speakers of parliaments, comprising approximately 400 delegates, ended with PACE President Tiny Kox, the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach submitting to the conference that "determination in supporting Ukraine today will shape the future of Europe and the world tomorrow".
The conference considered the conflict in Ukraine, and specifically the role of parliaments in reconstructing the state, as one of its three themes for discussion.
Theme 1: The consequences of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and role of national parliaments in Ukraine's reconstruction
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, asked that his country be supported not just financially but with "knowledge, experience and commitment to the principles of international law". The Speaker of the United Kingdom House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, meanwhile, recalled the foundational principles of the Council of Europe, including human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Discussion of the first theme opened with a contribution from Mr. Ruslan Stefanchuk of Ukraine
Theme 2: The challenges to representative democracy in volatile times
In discussing the second theme of the conference, Ms Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the French National Assembly, argued that in a time of uncertainty marked by the war in Ukraine and climate, health and migration crises, it is "important to engage in fundamental reflection on the functioning and future of our democracies". Augusto Ernesto Santos Silva, President of the Portuguese Assembleia da República, meanwhile, noted that the resilience of democratic institutions depends on their connection with citizenship and their response to the needs and expectations of citizens.
Discussion of the second theme saw contributions from the speakers of the French and Portuguese parliaments
Theme 3: Equality and diversity in public representation - the participation of young people, women and ethnic and social groups as members of parliament
The third and final theme brought the conclusion from the conference chairs of the need to "join the dots between politics, policy and our populations", with an indication that pushing for full parity between men and women in parliaments, engaging young people in politics, building inclusive education and involving people with disabilities and other minorities were key to the objective.
Contributors to the third theme for discussion at ECPP 2023
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