IFES and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) convened March 10 in Washington to discuss efforts to promote democracy worldwide and identify potential areas for cooperation. Martin Chungong, director of democracy promotion, and Anda C. Filip, director for external relations, represented the IPU, a coalition of parliaments from 143 sovereign states. It is devoted to strengthening legislatures, collecting and disseminating information on parliaments, protecting human rights, and promoting women in politics. “Parliaments are the guardian of human rights,” said Chungong. “Many have this mandate, but don’t know how to implement it.” He added that, “Our vision of democracy is a mandate to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide.” The IPU currently is working with the United Nations and Chungong expressed an interest in also working with IFES.