HISTORY
Introductory Note
The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) is an interparliamentary institution, set up upon the initiative of the Hellenic Parliament. Here factsheet with information concerning the identity and nature of the IAO and relevant data: the philosophy, objectives, its rules and the turning point of the organization.
Background of the IAO
The fundamental basis of the IAO is expressed in the Manifesto of Participants of the Conference convened by the Hellenic Parliament in Chalkidiki, Greece, on the subject:
“Orthodoxy in the New European Reality”. According to this, Orthodoxy in its social, historical and spiritual sense constitutes a common historical cultural tradition and religious expression for approximately half of the population of Europe.
In a context of historical changes in progress throughout Europe (the fall of the communist regimes in Central Eastern Europe, the Maastricht Treaty in Western Europe) personalities from Europe, who participated in the 1993 Conference held by the Hellenic Parliament, detected the need for the presence of Orthodoxy, as a common cultural expression of a large number of European citizens, in the shaping of contemporary Europe.
Thus, the joint cultural reference of Orthodoxy was sought through the IAO, with the participation of Orthodox in faith deputies from: Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovakia and Ukraine, as well as, groups of Members of Parliaments from: Australia, Asia, Africa and the USA.
Turning Point
The verification that the majority of political and social problems, the European continent is facing, are actually problems of the whole world, the need to seek interpretations and answers based on the people’s common cultural tradition, the appearance of new technologies, the phenomenon of globalization of the economy, led the IAO to the decision to surpass the borders of the European continent and contact parliamentarians throughout the world, Christian Orthodox in faith, with the aim of joining our common cultural aspect, that of religion, as the meeting point in the participation of structuring a contemporary complex reality.
To this end and according to article 2, paragraph c. of the Founding Act, parliamentary delegations or groups of Members of Parliaments from other European countries or respectively from non-European countries, are able to participate in the General Assembly. In the 8th General Assembly (2001), groups of Members of Parliament from Australia, Asia, Africa and the USA participated and was decided the European Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (EIAO) to be renamed as Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO).
During the IAO General Assembly in Kiev, Ukraine, in June 2004, it was decided to seek ways of cooperation with the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Member States (PUIC). Following correspondence exchanged between the two parliamentary organizations, a meeting was held in Athens on March 22, 2005 where a draft co-operation agreement was initialed by the Secretary General of each contracting organization.
During the period of the economic crisis, the IAO General Assemblies have addressed topics related to the global economic crisis, and adopted relevant conclusions. In June 2009, in Belgrade, on the topic “The Global Economic Crisis and its impact on social – spiritual – cultural European tradition. The role of Orthodoxy”, in June 2011 in Paris, on the topic “Religious values in the economic crisis reality” and in June 2012 in Prague on the topic “Challenges for democracy in periods of global economic crisis”.
Following several visits and discussions, the IAO signed a cooperation agreement with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) at its seat in Johannesburg, on May 19, 2011. Moreover, in Moscow, on November 8, 2011, the IAO signed cooperation agreement with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Russia-Belarus Union.
In the framework of expanding IAO’s cooperation with international organizations, IAO has exchanged “observer” status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
During the June 2012 General Assembly, the IAO, in cooperation with the Pan-African Parliament, reached the decision to undertake the initiative for establishing a foundation under the title “Foundation for Democracy, Parliamentarism and Religious Tolerance in Africa” with one seat in Athens and a second seat in an African country.
During the 20th anniversary General Assembly in Athens (2013), a Declaration was signed by the Presidents of the Parliament – members of the IAO; during the 21st General Assembly in Moscow (2014), a relevant Declaration was signed by Ministers of Culture of countries whose parliaments are members to the IAO.
At the 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament members of the IPU in New York (2015), the IAO presented its views on the refugee issue and the movement of thousands of refugees from the broader region of the Middle East towards Europe.
At the General Assembly of the Pan-African Parliament in Johannesburg, in 2015, His Beatitude Theodore II, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, was invited and spoke to its members, while a photo exhibition by IAO was also presented on the subject “Easter in Christian East”.
The works of the 23rd IAO General Assembly in Thessaloniki (4 – 8 July 2016) were officially opened by the Speakers of Parliament of Greece and the State Duma of the Russian Federation. In parallel, in the context of the celebrations for the Year of Greece in Russia and the Year of Russia in Greece 2016, as well as the millennial presence of Russian monks on Mount Athos (1016-2016), they inaugurated a photo exhibition on the subject: “Athos. The Holy Mountain” in the Museum of Byzantine Culture.
The exhibition with subject: “Athos. The Holy Mountain” held at the European Parliament in Brussels, in October 2016.
The IAO in collaboration with the Lebanese Parliament organized an international conference with subject: “Unity in Diversity and Fundamental Freedoms for Christians and Muslims in the Middle East: A Conference for Parliamentary Dialogue” in Beirut, 2 – 5 April 2018. At the same time, the exhibition “Virgin Mariam. Icons from Her Holy Garden. Mount Athos” was presented in the “Beit Beirut” Museum.
The 25th General Assembly with subject: “Parliamentary Democracy and Christian Values: 25 years of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy” was held in Athens from 26 to 27 of June 2018. In parallel, an exhibition of the 63 works of contemporary hagiographers, who participated in a relative IAO contest with subject: “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ” was presented at the Byzantine Museum of Athens.
A delegation of the IAO headed by the IAO Secretary General visited Tehran and held a meeting with the new Secretary General of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation of member states (PUIC), Mr. Mouhamed Khouraichi Niass.
The regular Meeting of the IAO International Secretariat and the Committee Chairpersons and Rapporteurs (IAO), held in Cairo from 15 to 18 November, as well as meetings with the two Orthodox Patriarches, with the purpose of expressing the IAO support to Christian Populations in the Middle East. Additionally, a pilgrimage visit held to the Saint Catherine’s Holy Monastery in the Mount Sinai.
Meetings have been realised between the IAO and the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) examining the perspective of a future cooperation. The IAO has initiated a communication to explore possibilities and prospects for a future collaboration between the IAO and other International Parliamentary Institutions (Baltic Assembly, Nordic Council etc).
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the IAO and the Parliamentary Assembly for the Mediterranean (PAM) during the 13th PAM General Assembly in Belgrade on 21 February 2019.
During the pandemic, the IAO adapted its actions and procedures in order to continue its work without interruption, taking advantage of the possibilities provided by new technologies. The 27th annual IAO General Assembly was held virtually, on September 17, 2020. In fact, during the 28th General Assembly in Chania (2021), the IAO had as its central theme “The Future of Europe and the World after the Pandemic” and MPs from many countries had the opportunity to exchange views on good practices and experiences, in order to build resilient and functional parliaments.
In 2020, the IAO published the Volume “Hagia Sophia: The Churches of the Wisdom of God around the World”, as a reaction to the unilateral decision of the Turkish Authorities to change the status of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from a museum to a mosque in July 2020. To date, the Volume is already in circulation in 13 languages and has been presented in 25 capitals and big cities in 10 European countries and the USA. Through the multipage edition, the richness of the monuments that have been dedicated to Wisdom of God is highlighted. The publication includes information on the history, theology and architecture of the 37 iconic Churches dedicated to the Wisdom of God, stretching from the shores of Britain to the depths of China. This scientific publication has been awarded by the Academy of Athens in a special dedicated ceremony in 2023.
Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, the IAO has categorically condemned the Russian invasion and adopted statements and resolutions supporting the national independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and calling for an end to hostilities and a peaceful resolution of disputes.
In 2023, the IAO completes a course of 30 years of institutional life and action. During the 30th anniversary IAO General Assembly, which took place in Chalkidiki in June 2023, for the first time a representative of the Russian State Duma was not elected to the position of President of the General Assembly. Today, President of the General Assembly of the IAO, is Mr. Ioan Vulpescu from the Romanian Parliament.
The ΙΑΟ signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Muslim World League (MWL), based on the shared goals of facilitating interfaith dialogue and promoting common values of monotheistic religions.
In May 2024, the IAO in collaboration with the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Commission of the Bishop’s Conferences in the EU (COMECE), the organization “Together for Europe” and the Aristotle University organized an International Political Conference with topic “Politics as an Area for Expressing Christian Values in Everyday Life”. In the framework of this Conference, the partner organizations adopted an Appeal to the European Institutions for Christian values.
During the 31st General Assembly in Palermo (2024), the IAO Founding Act was amended to update its objectives and optimize its institutional, organizational and operational framework in view of the changing international environment.
