Model parliament

For other uses of "Model Parliament", see Model Parliament.

A Model Parliament (also referred to as a Mock Parliament) is a simulation of the parliamentary proceedings of a legislature or other deliberative assembly, often based upon the Westminster Parliamentary system. Model Parliaments are usually held as an educational tool to promote understanding of the working of government.

Model Parliaments have also been established to promote the activities of community service programmes or to advocate social or political change. The Canadian youth parliament movement was founded for the purpose of advancing youth programmes in Canada. Oxfam sponsors an "International Youth Parliament" to promote youth-led social change. As an example of the latter purpose, in 1914 the women's suffrage movement in Canada, under the leadership of Nellie McClung, organized a mock parliament to parody the refusal of the government of Manitoba to grant women the right to vote.

Facebook Mock Parliaments

A number of mock parliaments have appeared on social media site Facebook.

A global collective of World Mock Parliaments has been established, more commonly referred to as the World Federation of Mock Parliaments. The aim of The World Federation of Mock Parliaments is to link and interact with as many online mock parliaments from all over the world. Interaction and reaction is encouraged between each parliament, to replicate real life reactions, to mimic such actions such as domestic and international policy.

• The Commons 2.0 (UK)
• Der Volkstag (Germany)
• The Federal Assembly (Russia)
• The United General Assembly (Canada)
• The Dáil (Ireland)
• AYPStralian Mock Parliament (Australia)
• The Assembly of the Republic (France)
• Parliament of Rhodesia (Rhodesia)
• The Congress (United States)
• Federation of World Mock Parliaments (International)

See also

• Activism
• YMCA Youth Parliament
• European Youth Parliament
• UK Youth Parliament