The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), established in 1889, is the world organisation of Parliaments of sovereign States. It is the focal point for world-wide Parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and cooperation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative institutions. The IPU deals with issues of significance before the international community and measures have been taken by Governments all over the- world as a result of the recommendations adopted by the IPU.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union, besides its biennial Conferences, also holds specialised Conferences on various issues. As envisaged by the IPU in March, 1994, the specialised Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the theme "Towards Partnership between Men and Women in Politics", is being held at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi from 14 to 18 February, 1997.The Conference is the first world-wide high-level political meeting on the follow-up to one of the chapters of the Beijing Platform for Action.

The New Delhi Conference is part of the Inter-Parliamentary Union's  activities to promote representative democracy, and it aims to examine how the human society as a whole can benefit from a new contract for politics based on partnership and to provide an opportunity to  reflect on various ways of achieving democracy, as defined by IPU in 1992:  "The  concept  of  democracy  will  only assume true and dynamic significance when policies  and national legislation are  decided upon jointly by men and women with equitable regard for the interests and aptitudes of both halves of the population".

This Specialized Conference  intends to provide a forum for dialogue between men and women from various countries, all having an interest in identifying the means to reinforce the bases and working of representative democracy. The debates will form the subject of a declaration by the IPU President summarizing the content of the discussion : and referring to practical proposals put forward in the debates to ensure a real partnership between men and women in politics.

India has had a long association with the IPU, having hosted the 57th and 89th IPU Conferences during 1969 and 1993, respectively.

The Department of Post is happy to release a special commemorative stamp to mark this Specialized Inter-Parliamentary Conference in New Delhi. The stamp depicts the logo of the Conference and the First Day Cover shows the venue of the inauguration, the Central Hall of Parliament House.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India