The United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Democracy is annually observed across the globe on September 15th to provide an opportunity to review the state of democracy across the globe.
The day also promotes democratic principles, values of freedom, and respect for human rights.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/62/7 on 8th November 2007 and proclaimed the 15th September of every year as the International Day of Democracy.
ii.The first-ever International Day of Democracy was observed on 15th September 2008.
Why September 15?
The day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Democratic by the Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU) on 15th September 1997.
Democracy:
i.The word democracy is derived from the Greek word “Demos” which means people and “Kratos” which means power.
ii.Democracy is defined as a form of government in which the people of the nation hold political power and can either rule directly or through elected representatives.
iii.Democracy provides the natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights.
Efforts of UN to promote Democracy:
The activities of the UN to promote and support democracy are carried out through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), among others.
UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF):
The UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF), provides fundings for projects that empower civil society, promote human rights and encourage the participation of all in the democratic process.
About Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU):
The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments.
President– Duarte Pacheco
Secretary-General– Martin Chungong
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established in 1889
