PGA is a membership-driven organization. It takes up issues that its members suggest, which ensures that the issues are of direct interest to the constituents – parliamentarians themselves. While there are many organizations that work on similar issues -- such as democratic assistance -- PGA's issues are never "forced" on its members.

 

Typically, this is the process of how issues are chosen at PGA:

 

Step 1:
An individual member presents a project idea to the Secretary-General or President.

 

Step 2:
The Secretary-General, program conveners, and development staff analyze and assess the feasibility of the project, as well as examining PGA’s strategic niche, for presentation to program conveners.

 

Step 3:
The project idea is debated at the annual International Council meeting.

 

Step 4:
The Executive Board makes the decision.

 

The UN Committee Members and other Advisors provide the Secretariat with programming advice. They also suggest issues to work on.

 

EXCEPTIONS: In an emergency situation (e.g. the nuclear testing in South Asia), PGA can respond immediately. This procedure requires the President and the Convener of the program to take the decision.