Among the many advocates of freedom in the last century, the United Nations has been an important one, committed to spreading democracy around the world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enunciated the essentials of democracy and, since its adoption by the General Assembly in 1948, has inspired constitution-making and has contributed greatly to the eventual acceptance of democracy as a universal value. This normative value system was reaffirmed in the 2000 Millennium Declaration.

The development of human rights standards, the implementation of the right of all peoples to self-determination, and assistance to good governance and electoral assistance have been among the United Nations key approaches to promote democracy. The Organization has also served as a forum for the development of specific initiatives, such as the movement of New and Restored Democracies, initiated by the Philippines following its democratic transformation in the late 1980s. The United Nations, its agencies and programmes are increasingly involved in assistance to democratic processes worldwide. Over the past decade, it has had some concrete results in assisting countries in democracy and democratization, helping one of every three parliaments in developing countries. It is also working with countries emerging from a violent past to build democratic institutions and strengthen civil society.

Recent elections in Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia and Palestine were symbolic of the profound changes these societies are undertaking. However, elections in themselves do not constitute democracy. The UN approach to elections is to stress the process rather than the event. The numerous parallel processes-such as the empowerment of civil society and the development of political parties; the acquisition of political identity through electoral registration and voter education; the formation of interest groups; the development of a legal and institutional framework for ensuring respect for human rights; the evolution of an independent judiciary; and ensuring public access to information-give elections its full democratic meaning. These aspects of a supportive environment is necessary for genuine democratization.

In the 2000 Millennium Declaration and the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document, States resolved to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to assist countries to implement the principles and practices of democracy. While UN achievements have been significant, efforts must be redoubled to ensure the durability of nascent democratic institutions and to improve the quality of the democratic process, promoted in terms of accountability, transparency in decision-making, participation and inclusion, and supported by an active and constructive civil society. We must do more and we must do better.

In order to continue to make the UN work in support of democracy concrete and practical, Secretary-General Kofi Annan decided in July 2005 to create the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). Welcomed by Heads of State and Government at the 2005 World Summit in September, the Fund was established with one caveat, namely, that there is no single model of democracy but a variety of valid approaches to achieve the common democratic objective. Moreover, Member States have clearly signalled their willingness to commit financial resources to the cause-currently almost $50 million.

The policies and priorities of the Fund will be decided upon by the Secretary-General, assisted by a special Advisory Board, whose composition brings together six representatives of the largest contributing countries, five other Member States to ensure a balanced geographical distribution, four personal representatives of the Secretary-General and two representatives of civil society organizations. Since decisions will be taken by consensus, the debates within this august but mixed forum should be stimulating.

UNDEF is an integral part of the United Nations reform proposed by the Secretary-General and endorsed by Member States. Underlying this proposal is the idea that development, security and human rights are not only imperative in themselves but they reinforce each other in a virtuous circle. Within the reform package, UNDEF certainly complements the work of the newly-constituted Human Rights Council, but perhaps the links are most obvious in the areas of peacebuilding, democracy promotion and consolidation, and sustainable human development.

The Fund will also complement existing UN efforts at the country and regional levels, led by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Departments of Political Affairs and of Peacekeeping Operations, the UN Office for Drugs and Crime, and UN country teams as a whole, and other actors. By its establishment and the work of a programme consultative group, the Fund should contribute to a more focused UN approach. Its primary purpose will be to promote democracy throughout the world by providing assistance for projects that build and strengthen democratic institutions and facilitate democratic governance in new, emerging and consolidating democracies. It will also provide assistance to governmental and non-governmental entities, including relevant UN offices, funds, programmes and specialized agencies.

UNDEF was placed within the UN Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP) to underline the importance of partnerships with civil society organizations in the furtherance of democratic values. In its initial year, the Fund is envisaged to engage in a broad consultative process with governmental, intergovernmental and civil society institutions to clearly map out its distinct niche of activity. Its comparative advantage is supporting the enabling environment necessary for already established democratic institutions to function more effectively. Its role will be to consolidate and strengthen democratic institutions and processes, such as elections, drafting of constitutions or support to pluralistic media. It will also play a key role in promoting participation and empowering civil society. On the country level, UNDEF is likely to focus its support on strengthening the relationship between civil society and the official institutions of democracy. The areas of support include: strengthening democratic dialogue and support for constitutional processes; civil society empowerment; human rights and fundamental freedoms; civic education, voter registration and political parties; citizen's access to information; and transparency and accountability.

UNDEF will be an important and innovative mechanism to promote democracy and further strengthen UN values and principles. It answers the call by Member States in the Outcome Document, reiterating the importance of democracy for the international community, for each and every society, and for all men and women in the world: "We reaffirm that democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of their lives. We also reaffirm that while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy, that it does not belong to any country or region, and reaffirm the necessity of due respect for sovereignty and the right of self-determination. We stress that democracy, development and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing."

For more information on the United Nations Democracy Fund, please visit www.un.org/democracyfund.