The ninth edition of the book entitled

Procedure and practice of the Assembly was

published in 1990. 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.