A/HRC/27/51 equitable participation of all, without any discrimination, in domestic and global decisionmaking.” 61. Human Rights Council resolution 24/8 on the right to equal political participation was also discussed, as well as working papers on the right to public participation prepared by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (see annex VI).84 The Independent Expert argued that the right of public participation is not a vague promise, but actually has a solid legal basis in universal, regional and national legislation as well as in case-law. Participation is a hallmark of democratic governance, entailing a measure of timely consultation so as to legitimize the exercise of governmental power 62. Among the Independent Expert’s recommendations was that a study be conducted by the Human Rights Council on how the establishment of a World Parliamentary Assembly could significantly advance the goal of making a democratic transition from military-first to human security budgets and helping to realize an international order that is more democratic and more equitable.85 At the end of the conference, the Brussels Declaration was adopted (see annex V). V. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 63. Bearing in mind that peace is indispensable to achieving a democratic and equitable international order, every effort must be undertaken to settle disputes through peaceful means, to prevent armed conflict and to end ongoing wars. Disarmament and demilitarization are keys to development and human security. Both must be democratically decided and implemented. This requires an enduring consciousness of the threat of nuclear annihilation, and enhanced awareness of the waste of resources. Reduced military budgets will release funds for the promotion and protection of human rights and for addressing global problems such as pandemics, climate change, deforestation and acute water shortages. 64. For decades civil society has demanded the recognition of peace as a human right. The Human Rights Council has heard that call and its open-ended intergovernmental working group on a draft United Nations declaration on the right to peace has been carrying out important work on a draft declaration for adoption by the Council and the United Nations General Assembly. The draft is supported by civil society organizations, including PEN International, which adopted the Bled Manifesto of the Writers for Peace Committee (see annex IV) in September 2013. 65. A democratic and equitable international order requires a comprehensive shift in priorities and a strategy for achieving human security through enhanced public participation in decision-making, in particular in the determination of domestic and international policy, including in budgetary matters. This entails more than a culture of transparency. States should proactively educate and inform their populations so that they can meaningfully exercise their democratic right of shaping policy and choosing among options. States should consult the electorate on budget priorities, including military expenditures, which must not be accepted as permanent features of 84 85 See also DIHR, The Right to Public Participation – A Human Rights Law Update (Copenhagen, 2013). Richard Falk, Andrew Strauss, A Global Parliament: Essays and Articles, with a foreword by Boutros Boutros-Ghali (Berlin, Committee for a Democratic U.N., 2011). 21