ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the role of parliamentary administrations in parliamentary diplomacy. It attempts to shine some light on how parliamentary administrations enable parliamentary diplomacy. The chapter explores the definitional challenge posed by parliamentary diplomacy, suggesting that while there may be no immediately obvious alternative to the term, a too ready association of parliamentary diplomacy with state diplomacy can both mislead and circumscribe understanding of Parliaments’ unique, institutional, contribution to democracy internationally. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and its administrative affiliate, the Association of Secretaries General of Parliament play an important role in parliamentary diplomacy, and specifically in administrative diplomacy. The chapter then looks particularly at IPU's leadership in strengthening Parliaments’ digital capacities, which extend well beyond technical norms and into the principles of Parliaments as institutions for open governance and citizen voice. It also presents a short case study on the European Parliament's diplomacy in Ukraine, one of the most ambitious bilateral parliamentary initiatives.
