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News: Special Issue of World of Parliaments

The Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) issued a special issue of its quarterly journal World of Parliaments in September 2008 to coincide with the first International Day of Democracy (15 September).

Mr. Roland Rich, Executive Head of UNDEF, contributed an article to this issue entitled "The United Nations and democracy promotion." In his essay, he emphasizes the UN's forthright role in promoting democracy which is essential for the realization of peace, human rights and development. He explains that UNDEF is the most direct articulation of this commitment by the UN. By financially assisting civil society organizations with their projects it focuses above all on strengthening "the voice of civil society in the democratic process." Mr. Rich's article is available here in French.

This call for strengthening democracy is supported by the other contributors to the issue. IPU's President, Mr. Pier Ferdinando Casini of Italy, talks about the challenges humanity faces which are also a threat to democracy itself, e.g. food shortage and underdevelopment.

In his editorial, IPU Secretary-General Mr. Anders B. Johnsson states that "as an ideal, democracy aims essentially to preserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of the individual. As a system of government, democracy is the best way of achieving these objectives."

Mr. Benjamin R. Barber, an internationally renowned political theorist, agrees that democracy itself is at risk. This is especially due to the reality of international interdependence. In facing today's challenges of globalization we are confronted with democratic remedies that remain national in scope while the problems being tackled are global in nature leading to a certain "democratic deficit." Responses to these problems are necessary from citizens and their representatives alike.

In his contribution to the Review, former US President and Nobel Prize winner Jimmy Carter welcomes the International Day of Democracy. It provides the opportunity to collectively reflect on the challenges to democratization and the advancement of human rights. Other contributors were Mr. Philippe Séguin of France and Ms Marta Lagos of Chile.

The journal is also available in French.

 

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