Sweden’s new direction for development assistance includes a strong focus on democracy and human rights and combatting norms and values that stand in the way of gender equality. Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), the largest international, cross-party, membership-based organization comprised of – and governed by – individual members of parliament, will be organizing a dialogue in the Swedish Parliament to discuss the role of parliamentarians as champions for democracy, human rights, gender equality and the rule of law. Swedish Parliamentarians will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with parliamentarians from Afghanistan and Uganda on the front lines of democracy protection.

The discussion will present strategies to strengthen the role of parliamentarians and their mandate as representatives of the people, as well as propose recommendations on how to combat polarization and distrust in the parliamentary institution, particularly in the global context of increasing authoritarianism and anti-rights discourse.

The PGA network of individual parliamentarians is an antidote to the growing polarization within our societies and between our countries with members working together across the political spectrum on common priorities. By recognizing the importance of dialogue across political parties/ideologies in a democracy, respecting and engaging with civil society representatives, and championing the human rights of all individuals, PGA is a trusted partner, key convenor and mobilizer at the national, regional and international levels contributing to re-building trust between parliamentarians and relevant stakeholders.