The tenth edition of the book

entitled Procedure and practice of the

Assembly was published in 2008. Since

then, significant political changes in

Europe have also had an impact on

the functioning of the Parliamentary

Assembly. This new edition emphasises

the practical way in which the Assembly

operates and describes its political and

institutional context. It will be of use

both to the members of the Assembly

and a wider audience: members and staff of national parliaments,

representatives of civil society, and all those who wish to know

more about the driving force of the Council of Europe.

The 636 parliamentarians making up the Assembly come from the

national parliaments of the 47 Council of Europe member states.

They meet four times a year to discuss current affairs and ask

European governments to take initiatives and report back. These

parliamentarians speak on behalf of the 800 million Europeans

who elected them. They are the democratic conscience of Europe.