International Day of Democracy 2017

              This post is a summary of five articles. The first with the incomplete title above was published at http://www.un.org/en/events/democracyday/. The second was published at http://www.greeningtheblue.org/event/international-day-democracy. The third was published at http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/international-day-of-democracy-2017. The fourth was published at http://www.idea.int/news-media/news/international-day-democracy-secretary-general-visits-falun-democratic-city. The fifth was published at https://swoogo.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/64477-59957b807cb69.pdf

             This year's theme of Democracy Day is democracy and conflict prevention, focuses on the critical need to strengthen democratic institutions to promote peace and stability. A more integrated approach to foster resilient societies calls for effective and inclusive democratic governance with respect for human rights and the rule of law. Resilient societies are able to mitigate disputes through mediation, dialogue and a reasonable degree of legitimacy of their institutions. Developing effective conflict prevention mechanisms and infrastructures provides a foundation to resolve grievances and sustain peace. Process, such as peace agreements, and elections, can help maintain equilibrium between competing interests and reduce fragility and the likelihood of violence. Strong leadership to support democracy, strengthen civil society, and uphold the rule of law are conditions that preserve stability and peace. Recognizing the indivisible links between peaceful societies and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.

              Democracy is a universal value based on the freely spoken and expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems in all aspects of their lives. Evolved over centuries, democracies share many common features but cannot be reduced to a single model. In short, democracy pertains the idea that everyone has the right to have their own beliefs, and to say and write what they think. Every year on the 15th September, the United Nations celebrate these ideas on the International Day of Democracy. Activities carried out by the U.N. in support of efforts of governments to promote and consolidate democracy are undertaken in accordance with the U.N. charter, and only at the specific request of the Member States concerned. While also celebrating the positive values of democracy, the International Day of Democracy will also offer an opportunity for a review of democracy in the modern world. Celebrations around the world addresses democracy by calling for inclusive and participatory societies and institutions. It aims to "promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels."

             Statement by Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland. "In today's Europe, there are forces that want to undermine democracy and turn back the clock. That's why we should celebrate this year's international Democracy Day with greater noise, effort and organisation than ever before. Democracy, human rights and the rule of law fit together to the benefit of citizens in Europe and across the world. Democratic governance creates freedom, fosters opportunity and counters corruption in government and in society. It also  supports fair political competition with outcomes and institutions that foster public trust. So when these values are under attack, we should double-down, not doubt ourselves. The Council of Europe will continue its mission to promote common standards for democracy, to monitor their respect by all our Member States and to support, multiply and enhance different forms of participation of citizens in public life at all levels. On September 15 - and every day - let democrats hold their heads high and speak for their ideals."

              On 15 September 2017, International IDEA's Secretary-General, Mr. Yves Leterme, visited the Swedish city of Falun on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, where he participated in a panel discussion on the topic of strengthening democracy. Falun, a city of around 60,000 people situated 250 kilometres north of the Swedish capital of Stockholm, has in recent years been at the forefront of developing innovative approaches to active citizenship and participatory democracy. Rebranding itself as Falun Democratic City, the city in 2010 established a Democracy Commission, devoted to providing the city's residents with better information and supporting them in their involvement in the political process. Within that framework, the city organized, from 9-15 September 2017, 'Falun Democracy Week", a full thematic week about democratic rights and responsibilities as active citizens. Attending the final day of this year's Democracy Week, secretary-General Yves Leterme participated in a session entitled "Global participation - how can we make the world more democratic?" During his intervention, the Secretary-General Leterme focused on "The state of people power worldwide and democratic resilience". Setting out the opportunities and challenges to democracy identified by international IDEA, he stressed that despite the many obstacles ahead, and notwithstanding increasing pessimism about the state of democracy worldwide, democracy globally has proven to be resilient. Over the past decades, democracy has made significant progress, and this needs to be recognized. However, the Secretary-General also pointed out that the challenges democracy faces are real and pressing, and have to be answered. Among those, he singled out in particular the importance of participation for democracy. Traditional democratic institutions such as political parties, which have long guaranteed this participation, he noted, face a crisis, as citizens are increasingly disengaging from politics out of distrust and discontent, an evolution that threatens the very essence of democracy, as it undermines citizens' participation in the political process. In order to guarantee the continued political engagement  of the electorate and to enable citizens to engage in public affairs in between elections, the Secretary-General encouraged the exploration of new forms of citizen participation. Experiments at the local level, such as in Falun, the secretary-General noted, can guide the way in this regard. "Democracy," Leterme stressed, "can not be taken for granted, and further measures to safeguard democracy through innovative, flexible and adaptive approaches are urgently required of policymakers and citizens."

               The International Day of Democracy is an opportunity to recommit to a world defined by the values enshrined in the United Nations Charter: peace, justice, respect, human rights, tolerance and solidarity. Yet, in many societies around the world, there is a crisis of faith. globalization and technological progress have lifted many out of poverty, but have also contributed to inequality and instability. There is a growing and deepening divide among people, as well as between people and the political establishments that exist to represent them. Fear is driving too many decisions. This is a danger to democracy. It is time to reconstruct relations between people and leaders, national and international. It is time for leaders to listen and show that they care about their own people and about the global stability and solidarity on which we all depend. And it is time for the entire international community to address one of its most severe shortcomings: our inability to prevent crisis. To work credibly for prevention, we need to better support countries in their efforts to strengthen their democratic institutions and make their societies more resilient. In some countries, a dangerous illusion has taken hold that democracy is in contradiction to stability or conflict prevention. Quite the contrary: by destroying democratic institutions, by suppressing civil society, by undermining the rule of law and human rights, authoritarian rule creates conditions for extremist ideologies. It prevents societies from developing peaceful channels and effective instruments for the resolution of grievances and other challenges. By the same token, toppling a dictator, or holding elections in a post-conflict situation, does not mean that democracy will flourish by itself. It requires leadership, in ensuring that emerging and developing democracies are supported, so that they can succeed.