Impact
The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
IPU on air- Conversations about parliamentary action
The IPU on air Podcast Series features conversations with MPs and parliamentary experts from around the world on issues that impact citizens and democracies.
Click on the episodes below to find out what parliamentarians think on a plethora of global issues.
Championing sexual and reproductive health and rights
In IPU on air #15, Ms. Petra Bayr, a Member of Parliament from Austria, and Ms. Catherine Mumma, Kenyan Senator and Member of the IPU Committee on Health member, discuss strategies for parliamentarians to shape legislation, allocate budgets and mobilize support for sexual and reproductive rights amid challenges to these rights in some countries. Moderated by Miriam Sangiorgio, IPU health expert.
The IPU gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) in the production of this podcast.
Championing democracy: A Dialogue with MPs M E Blanc (France) and Ms. L. Fehlmann Rielle (Switzerland) on protecting parliamentarians
In IPU on air #14, on the eve of the 151st Assembly and 216th session of the Governing Council held in Geneva from October 19-24, 2025, representatives from the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, President Blanc and Madam Fehlmann Rielle spoke to Rogier Huizenga, Head of the IPU Human Rights Programme. The discussion explores the importance of protecting MPs for the sake of safeguarding the institution of parliament and democracy, and how the CHRP continue to support parliamentarians worldwide.
From parliament to people: Pathways to fund health and the SDGs
In IPU on air #13, on the eve of the 151st Assembly held in Geneva from October 19-24, 2025, Paddy Torsney, IPU Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York, discusses the current global financing landscape for health, how it is impacting countries, and health taxes as an emerging policy option with Kalipso Chalkidou, Director of Performance, Financing and Delivery at WHO, and Jacqueline Sabao, Zambian Member of Parliament and vice-Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.
Holding the Gavel: Behind the role of the speaker with Australia’s Milton Dick
In IPU on air #12, on the eve of the 151st Assembly held in Geneva from October 19-24, 2025, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick spoke to IPU’s Kate Brooks on how he approaches the role of Speaker in Australia. The conversation explores the surprises he encountered on taking up the gavel, why the Speakership matters to democracy, what he gains from interacting with the IPU and how he hopes to encourage youth’s excitement about politics.
Holding the Gavel: Behind the role of the speaker with Sweden’s Andreas Norlen
In IPU on air #11, on the eve of the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held in Geneva from July 29-31, Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden, Andreas Norlen spoke to IPU’s Kate Brooks on the significant role of the speaker. The conversation explores the multifaceted responsibilities of a Speaker, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they seize to enhance legislative processes.
Holding the Gavel: Behind the role of the speaker with Namibia’s Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
In IPU on air #10, on the eve of the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held in Geneva from July 29-31, Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila spoke to IPU’s Kate Brooks on the significant role of the speaker. The conversation explores the multifaceted responsibilities of a Speaker, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they seize to enhance legislative processes.
Holding the Gavel: Behind the role of the speaker with Malta’s Dr Angelo Farrugia
In IPU on air #9, on the eve of the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held in Geneva from July 29-31, Speaker of the Parliament of Malta, Dr Angelo Farrugia spoke to IPU’s Kate Brooks on the significant role of the speaker. The conversation explores the multifaceted responsibilities of a Speaker, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they seize to enhance legislative processes
The Power of Interfaith Dialogue
In IPU on air #8, British MP, Dame Karen Bradley, and UAE parliamentarian, Dr. Ali Al-Nuaimi are hosted by IPU’s Interfaith Dialogue expert, Sarah Markiewicz to discuss the importance of religion and belief in promoting global peace and understanding, and the role MPs and the Inter-Parliamentary Union can play.
Confronting discrimination for health equity
In IPU on air #7 Irish Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee, Chair of IPU’s Committee on Health, hosts Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara of the National Assembly of Malawi, and Claire Somerville, Executive Director of the Graduate Institute’s International and Development Studies Gender Centre to explore legislative frameworks affecting access to health services for women, girls and marginalized populations, and strategies to address harmful social norms.
The IPU gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the National People’s Congress of China in the production of this podcast.
Climate change and health: Bridging policy for a resilient future
In IPU on air #6, Irish Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee, Chair of the IPU Committee on Health, discusses the multi-faceted health impacts of climate change and the need for integrated responses with Mr Soltan Mammadov, Azerbaijan Member of Parliament and rapporteur of COP29’s Parliamentary Meeting and Dr Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment, WHO.
The IPU gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the National People’s Congress of China in the production of this podcast.
Good practice in climate legislation
In IPU on air #5, Ms. Amanda Ellis, Senior Director at Arizona State University’s Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, discusses good practice in climate legislation with Dr. Michal Nachmany, founder of Climate Policy Radar and developer of the London School of Economics’ Grantham Research Institute Climate Change Laws of the World database, of which the IPU is a partner.
The IPU gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the National People’s Congress of China in the production of this podcast.
Orphanage trafficking: The hidden crisis aided by good intentions
In IPU on air #4, Communications Director, Thomas Fitzsimons discusses the role of parliaments in addressing orphanage trafficking with Australian Senator Linda Reynolds and Dr. Kate van Doore, International child rights lawyer.
Health: A moving target for migrants and refugees?
In IPU on air #3, our host, Irish Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, Chair of the IPU Advisory Group on Health, discusses the role of parliaments in addressing the health of migrants with Ms. Yvonne Apiyo Brändle-Amolo, Delegate for Migration, Swiss Socialist Party; and Prof. Patrick Taran, President of Global Migration Policy Associates.
Access to health: Are parliaments redressing inequalities for women and girls?
IPU on air #2 features a dialogue between host Irish Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, Chair of the IPU Advisory Group on Health, and Rt.Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Chair of the Board of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
Sexual and reproductive health rights: what role for parliamentarians?
In this first IPU podcast, IPU on air #1, Irish Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, Chair of the IPU Advisory Group on Health, hosts Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, a fellow MP from the United Republic of Tanzania and Vice-Chair of the IPU Advisory Group on Health; and Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at the World Health Organization.