An effective parliament is vital to the success of any transition from conflict to peace. Yet in many post-conflict situations, parliament no longer exists or has only recently been restored.

In the latter case, its capacity to respond to the daunting challenges of reconciliation is often limited. A parliament which is truly representative of all components of society and which offers a national platform for a free and open exchange of views, is in itself an important sign that reconciliation is under way. It is also an important factor in consolidating the reconciliation process.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and International IDEA have decided to publish a concise guide to provide some insights into the particular role played by parliaments in countries which have experienced or are going through transition from conflict, and to highlight the pitfalls to be avoided on the road to reconciliation.