Beyond Ballots: What Global Justice Movements Teach Us About Democracy, Power and Possibility

               The worldwide movement for justice, democracy, human rights, political inclusion and my political rights is becoming stronger than ever. Once I'd like to thank all demonstration of support for my activism and political rights. It is good to know that both, my online activism that next year will complete two decades and my offline activism for decades is being recognized as a force for democracy and human rights. This worldwide movement has became so huge, intense and prevalent in the last five years that nobody can deny its existence. Since 2020,  I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.  https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010. Never a human rights defender has been so much harmed and bullied for so long time.       This post is a summary of the article with the title above, published in 5th November 2024 at https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/beyond-ballots-what-global-social-justice-movements-teach-us-about-democracy-power-and-possibility/

                       While elections results matter, they are not the full story. Movements worldwide remind us that democracy neither begins nor ends at the ballot box. It is about the right of people to make decisions over the everyday essentials that shape their lives, access to clean water, air, food, housing, and more. At the centre of these struggles are people, who are working to build democratic systems that meet their needs and dreams. True democraccy is inherently interconnected, not confined by national borders, it requires creating just systems, not just passing policies and it flourishes when people have space to come together, learn, and organize. Understanding democracy in this way is crucial for how we address today's challenges and for the role that philanthropy must play in supporting a more just and equitable future. The forces eroding democratic rights in the U.S. are not isolated. They are part of a wider, global phenomenon. The same disinformation campaign that have plagued Brazil, from false narrative about Indigenous rights to the spread of anti-vaccine rhetoric, mirror tactics seen in the U.S. and Europe. Russia interference, including the spread of disinformation during the 2016 U.S. elections, further highlights how threats to democracy cross borders. Movements recognise this interdependence. As they work to shift conditions in their countries, they often exercise solidarity beyond their borders. In 2007, building on this vision, 500 small-scale farmers from 80 countries gathered in Mali to create the Nyéléni Declaration. The gatherings became a cenral space for the food sovereignty movement to articulate shared goals and strategies. Today, the movement has grown into a network spanning Latin America, Africa and Asia, where small farmers share strategies with counterparts to resist land grabs and push for policies that support small-scale farming. Philanthropy needs to recognize that democracy can't be won or lost in isolation. The fate of democracy is interdependent and the forces eroding it or building it are inextricably linked across borders. by investing in movements for sovereignty and democracy, philanthropy can amplify these ripple effects, strengthening the resilience of communities against authoritarianism and ensuring that solidarity and democratic values are fortified worldwide. Supporting cross-border alliances and mutual learning between movements helps build a global network capable of resisting shared threats and imagining new futures together. At its core, democracy relies on the active engagement of its citizens. Yet, it is often narrowly defined as a set of policies designed to ensure voting rights, civil liberties, or free speech. But this understanding isn't enough. Policies may set the framework for democracy, but they don't protect it nor they guarantee changes. Recent years have shown how fragile these frameworks can be and how gains in equality can quickly be undermined without deeper cultural and systematic change. Without just, equitable systems and daily practices of accountability, even the best policies are hollow. Global justice movements show that democracy is far more than what happens at the ballot box, It's about creating systems where both people and the planet can thrive. Many movements engage in 'multisolving', addressing interconnected issues all at once. They remind us that true democracy is about more than policy, it's about the power of communities to shape the systems and the environment. By building governance rooted in equity and respect for the earth, they show that democracy is most resilient when grounded in justice. Philanthropy has a vital role to play. Movements are the lifeblood of democracy, they cultivate an engaged citizenry, challenge entrenched power, and build resilient communities. Supporting these movements means equipping people to reimagine the systems that govern their lives, from economies to ecosystems. Democracy is more than a policy goal, it's a living practice that thrives when we have the power to create just and sustainable systems. Philanthropy can strengthen democracy's roots by backing the long-term efforts of those on the frontlines, ensuring that pursuit of justice is grounded in the needs and visions of the people. At its core, democracy is about people exercising their collective power. Democracy is forged in the daily efforts of people coming together, creating spaces, strategise together and push forward even when the odds are against them. Popular education has been a critical tool for this work around the world, helping people build political consciousness and resilience. For democracy to truly flourish, movements need to grow, they need to expand their political education work. Democracy is built from the ground up, through people learning together, daring to question the status quo, and organising to bring change. To win, we must make sure movements have the conditions they need to drive lasting changes. The strength of democracy anywhere depends on its defense everywhere