The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party Peter Mac Manu, has been elected Vice Chairman of the International Democrat Union at the end of its Party Leaders' meeting held in Paris, France. The IDU, which was formed in 1983, was hosted by the ruling pour un Mouvement Populaire of France to provide a forum for parties holding similar beliefs to come together and exchange views on matters of policy, learn from one another, act together and speak with one strong voice to promote democracy and centre-right policies around the globe. The IDU is also a working association of conservative, Christian Democrats and like-minded political parties. The Party Leaders' meting which had the theme, "The centre right agenda for the 21st Century”, was presided over by the Chairman of the IDU, Hon. John Howard, immediate past Prime Minister of Australia; and the Guest of Honour was President Nicholas Sarkozy of France. Other founding members of the IDU included Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, President George Bush, President Jacques Chirac, and Chancellor Helmut Kohl.