PURPOSE: The International Day of Democracy observed every year on 15 September provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. Democracy, in both theory and practice, is the subject of a huge field of literature. Within this literature, the international dimensions of democracy are increasingly understood and explored. Democracy has even come to be seen by some practitioners as something of a political panacea. It is widely accepted as a universal value. Yet the role of the United Nations – the embodiment of international society – in the promotion of democracy remains understudied, even though the organization has adopted democracy promotion as an important objective ‘‘The phenomenon of democratization’’ has had a marked impact on the United Nations. Just as newly-independent States turned to the United Nations for support during the era of decolonization, so today, following another wave of accessions to Statehood and political independence, Member States are turning to the United Nations for support in democratization.
FORUM: "Navigating AI for Governance and Citizen Engagement." International Day of Democracy 2024. The strength of democracy lies in its ability to embrace and balance differences to serve society as a whole. Diversity is a source of resilience, adaptability and creativity. But it can also be exploited for political gain by polarising opinion and deepening divides. Socio-economic, gender, ethnic, generational and other inequalities fuel divisive rhetoric and trigger electoral choices which make democracies increasingly fragile. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #InternationalDayofDemocracy, #15September, #DemocracyDay.
EVENTS: On September 15th, the International Day of Democracy 2024 will be observed worldwide.
On September 10th from 11:00-12:00 EST; You are invited to join the United Nations Democracy Fund, the United Nations Office for Partnerships for a special event entitled "Navigating AI for Governance and Citizen Engagement" in conference room 8 at the UNHQ. This dynamic discussion will bring together diverse voices from civil society, academia, and the United Nations to explore the role of artificial intelligence in promoting and defending good governance and active citizen participation. Panelists will discuss how AI can enhance key democratic principles such as access to information, participation, and inclusion, while also addressing the risks it brings. The event is held in partnership with UNDP, UNESCO, and UNODC. Get the Invitation, the concept note and Watch the livestream!
From 6-8 November 2024; The 12th World Forum for Democracy will take place in Strasbourg (France). This year, the theme is "Democracy and Diversity - Can we transcend the divides?". In a year during which around one half of the world’s population has been called to the polls, the 2024 edition of the World Forum for Democracy will address the critical threats posed by disinformation and divisive political narratives around diversity, including in the context of election campaigns. The Forum will focus on how electoral processes may inadvertently crystallise societal divides and provide fertile ground for populism to flourish. In light of the urgency of this challenge, the Forum will explore ways of raising understanding among citizens of the risks posed by populism for their fundamental rights and freedoms. To achieve this, the Forum will feature inspirational talks by thought leaders. Analytical labs will challenge proposed new solutions and identify ideas worth spreading. Moreover, the Forum will actively foster the creation of networks and communities of practice, serving as incubators for turning ideas into action. The main axes for the 2024 edition will be: (1) Elections and value divides. (2) Unraveling the web of disinformation. (3). Citizen engagement for democratic renewal. Read the concept note and the agenda programme and register to participate!
PUBLICATIONS: The EIU’s 2023 Democracy Index sheds light on trends in democracy globally in 2023, as war and conflict spread across the globe, reinforcing existing negative trends in many countries. The annual index, which provides a snapshot of the state of global democracy, registered a decline in its total score from 5.29 in 2022 to 5.23. The increasing incidence of violent conflict has badly dented the global democracy score. Read the publication.
The Global State of Democracy Indices (GSoD Indices) measure democratic trends at the country, regional and global levels across a broad range of indicators democratic performance across the years 1975–2023. They do not provide a single index of democracy. They include data for 174 countries across the globe. The GSoD Indices are based on 165 individual indicators devised by various scholars and organizations. Read the Global State of Democracy Indices
Explore the progress on the SDGs at Halftime and the regional and multi-country projects developed by the UNDF.
STATEMENTS: Read the Statement from the United Nations Secretary General on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy 2024; September 15th.
PODCASTS: In fact, now more than ever Democracy is backsliding, civic space is shrinking, distrust, mis- and disinformation are growing while threats to the freedom of journalists and media workers are expanding by the day. Listen to the audio-podcats!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Policy-makers, academics, activists, youth representatives and democracy innovators, need to encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Democracy is a universally recognized ideal and is one of the core values and principles of the United Nations. Democracy provides an environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights. Democraacy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.
Let's act by
Fighting misinformation
Protecting journalists
Empowering civil society's safeguarding role Promoting civic participation
Promoting human rights and good governance
Monitoring election processes
Supporting civil society to strengthen democratic institutions and accountability
Ensuring self-determination in decolonized countries
Assisting in the drafting of new constitutions in post-conflict nations.
Encouraging the participation of all groups in democratic processes.
Empowering young people to take leadership roles on issues of international importance.
The International Day of Democracy is organized by the U.N. Information Regional Centres; The UN Development Programme (UNDP); The UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF); The U.N. Human Rights Office (OHCHR); The United Nations Peacekeeping; The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), The U.N. Women; The U.N. Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA); The United Nations Office for Partnerships; The International IDEA ; The Global Democracy Coalition; The Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth; The Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals and the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change with the collaboration of Regional Organizations; Civil Society Organizations; Non-Governmental organizations, Academias and the general public.