The International Day of Democracy was set up to examine the
state of democracy in our world today. In 2007, the UN General Assembly declared it to be a day to encourage governments to strengthen programmes devoted to the promotion of democracy.

Democracy is a universal value that freely expresses the will of people to determine…

all social, cultural, political and economic systems and full participation in their lives. At a previous UN summit, all the world’s leaders agreed that democracy, development and human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

There is no single model of democracy, although countries with it do share common features. The United Nations helps governments to promote and consolidate democracy. Democracy encompasses freedom, respect for human rights, the holding of genuine elections and universal suffrage. Rights for groups such as indigenous people, ethnic minorities, women and those with disabilities are an important part of being in a democracy. Equality, human rights and democracy go hand in hand.

In 2010, Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the UN commented,

Let us recognize that democratic governance is a yearning shared and voiced by people the world over. Democracy is a goal in its own right, and an indispensable means for achieving development for all humankind.’

 

Also in September:

Also in September:

UN International Literacy Day – 8th

International Ozone Day – 16th

International Day of Peace – 21st

Yom Kippur – 26th

UN International Day of Languages – 26th

World Tourism Day – 27th

Rosh Hashana: Jewish New Year – 28th

 

Tags: Equality, Equity, Human rights, International Day of Democracy, UN

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