ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an eleven-point programme to meet the challenge of reducing poverty and combating terrorism in Africa, the Middle East, and the developing countries. It explores the seminal and enduring purpose of the G7/8 summit as a unique institution led by democratically elected leaders and created to promote the values of 'open democracy, individual liberty and social advance' throughout the world. Parliamentarians could build on the House of Commons hearings across the country in the spring of 2002 and the recent gatherings of the speakers of the legislators in the G8. The degree of direct government support for, and guidance to, the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) centres varies considerably, depending in part on the democratic character of individual national regimes. An important part of the innovation would be for the G8 leaders collectively, and not just the host leader or others at their individual discretion, to meet with the leaders of the civil society forum.
