Geneva,
 
 Members of Parliament (MPs) from across the world will seek to address  the critical question of how to rejuvenate democracy at a time of
 falling public confidence in the institutions of democracy when they  meet at a global conference in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, later this week.
 
 Low levels of trust and disenchantment, particularly among young  people, are in contrast to a growing aspiration among people globally
 to be governed democratically.

 The MPs, attending the 134th IPU Assembly (19-23 March) hosted by the Zambian  Parliament, will aim to identify ways to reverse low voter turnouts
 and a waning youth interest in formal politics - a critical step  towards safeguarding and strengthening democracy in all cultures. It  will also be an opportunity

to explore innovative ideas that enhance  and modernize democratic culture, institutions and practice.
 
 ³Our collective ability to meet the unprecedented challenges we all  face today has a greater chance of success if democracy is more deeply
 rooted in our beliefs and practice,² says IPU President Saber  Chowdhury. ³We as parliamentarians must ensure that we breathe new
 life into politics and parliaments, with young people at the heart of  that process.²
 
 The Assembly will take place on the heels of IPU¹s third Global  Conference of Young MPs, which has a specific focus on the role of
 youth in delivering on the new generation of development goals agreed by world leaders in 2015.
 
 More than 650 MPs from around the world, including 82 Speakers and  Deputy Speakers of Parliament, are taking part in the Assembly,
 including for the first time ever, the Speaker of China¹s National People¹s Congress.
 
 The Assembly will adopt resolutions on boosting global cooperation to  combat terrorism and protecting the world¹s cultural heritage.  IPU
 Members will also explore options for promoting environmentally  sustainable, and open and accountable parliaments as well as preventing child and forced marriage.
 
 IPU¹s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians will hold an  estimated 10 hearings with authorities and MPs from various countries.
 It will also examine cases involving the abuses of the human rights of  123 MPs from 13 countries. Decisions on some of the cases will be
 adopted by the IPU membership.
 
 The IPU Meeting of Women Parliamentarians and Forum of Young  Parliamentarians will also hold their twice-yearly meeting as part of
 the Organization¹s ongoing work to empower women and young MPs and  strengthen their input into global decision-making.
 
 An initiative on the potential of using science and technology for  peace will be among a range of innovative ideas to be examined by
 IPU¹s Committee on Middle East Questions, which was set up to foster  peace through dialogue in the region.
 
 IPU Assemblies, held twice a year, bring together MPs from the  Organization¹s Member Parliaments to define policy on key
 international issues.  The membership currently stands at 167.