Yesterday 15th of September, all over the world celebrated our right to speak up against bad public policies, corruption, injustice, censorship, governmental overreach, electoral fraud, abuse of power, violation of human rights, etc. It is a day to remember many citizens who died fighting for rights that only democracy can offer us. Many rights that in a democracy everybody take for granted, but sometimes without our fast perception could be lost, and once lost is very difficult to recovery. This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at http://www.un.org/en/events/democracyday/. The second was published at http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-day-of-democracy/. The third was published at https://www.ibiidi.com/event/International-Day-Of-Democracy-Of-2018. The fourth was published at https://democracychronicles.org/international-day-of-democracy-15-september-2018/
2018 theme is: Democracy under Strain: Solutions for a Changing World. "Democracy is showing greater strain than at any time in decades. That is why this International Day should make us look for ways to invigorate democracy and seek answers for the systemic challenges it faces." Said the U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. This year's International Day of Democracy is an opportunity to look for ways to invigorate democracy and seek answers to the systemic challenges it faces. This includes tackling economic and political inequalities, making democracies more inclusive by bringing the marginalized into the political system, and making democracies more innovative and responsive to emerging challenges such as migration and climate change. With this year's 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Day of Democracy is also an opportunity to highlight the values of freedom and respect for human rights as essential elements of democracy. The UDHR, which states that, "the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government" (article 21), has inspired constitution-making around the world. Democracy, in turn, provides the natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights.
Change is racing across the world, transforming societies everywhere. This is opening vast new opportunities for men and women to realise their human rights, to become empowered citizens and fulfil their aspirations to decent jobs, to participate fully in society, to advance dialogue and bolster the foundations for peace. With this come steep new challenges also. The challenges of enduring poverty and deepening inequalities. The challenges of conflict and violence. The challenges of rights denied and voices silenced through weak institutions, the rise of populism and exclusive rule. In this context, democracy is a compass setting. It is the path and the direction for moving forward. This message stands at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, calls on all States 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." Democracy is about effective and accountable institutions, the rule of law and good governance, it is also a culture, a way of thinking, being and acting. This must be taught and shared, voices and expressed across all boundary lines, starting with individual men and women, especially those most at risk. Everyone must be represented. Every voice must be heard. Every action must be accountable to the benefit of all, in the spirit of dialogue and respect. Building a better future must start with defending the rights and dignity of everyone today.
Democracy is an essential element in any community to foster the production and sustain development and prosperity. Meanwhile, many threats are chasing our global democracy. Hence, in 2007 the U.N. General Assembly endeavoured for fostering and promoting the concept and principles of democracy, and subsequently, the 15th of September has been officially announced to be the International Day of Democracy. This day served as an opportunity to "raise public awareness" in regard to the pivotality spreading democracy worldwide and uphold its principles. All the members states and global organizations, are celebrating the International Day of Democracy of 2018 under the theme of "Democracy under Strain: Solutions for a Changing World highlighting the necessity of tackling the political inequalities, and confronting the different challenges, The theme is also referring to values of freedom and respect for human rights within the scope of democracy. Therefore, the day witnessed plenty of initiatives, events, seminars, activities, aswell as press conferences discussing the trubles, which are current being confronted in order to prevail democracy worldwide. Additionally, such events and campaigns include public speakers, and leaders endorsing the engagement of youth in the political life. It is worthy to mention, also, that many leaflets, posters have been published so as to give the youth a chance to gain more information about Democracy, and the freedom of expression, cultural diversity and tolerance are inclined with the concept of democracy.
The International Day of Democracy will mark its 10th anniversary on 15th September 2018. This day has been observed by U.N. member states since 15th September 2008. The thme for this year, captures the struggles in implementing democratic principles around the world. The U.N. invites both governmental and non-governmental organizations of member state countries to commemorate this day. This initiative seeks to address challenges faced by advocates of democracy, be it as dependent or independent bodies and intends to help nurture and encouragement of democratic principles in societies across the world. Democracy should be promoted relentlessly until power and decision making is in the hands of the citizen and when representatives work selflessly for its citizens and not the other way round.
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