Challenges faced by Parliaments when developing Regional or International Relationships

Parliamentarians do face some challenges in developing regional relationships, particularly because of the duplication of efforts by some overlapping associations and networks, and the diversion of scarce parliamentary resources needed to participate in these networks away from other priority areas.  Those challenges should be taken into account; however, they should not hinder the development of regional relationships, which is at the core of peacebuilding activities.  Unlike other stakeholders and representatives, parliamentarians are well placed to develop beneficial and long-lasting relationships between one another at a regional level.