Democracy and the United Nations

• Нome
• Messages and Statements
• Observance Programme
• Democracy
  and the UN
• Democracy Needs Women
• Assisting Civil Society
• UNDP and Democratic Governance
• Fostering Democracy through Elections
• Democracy and Human Rights
• UN System Activities
• General Assembly Resolutions
• Publications and Reports

International Day of Democracy

DRC, Goma, Referendum, new voter cards are used.
Photo by Electoral Assistance Division, DPA.

On 8 November 2007, the General Assembly proclaimed 15 September as the International Day of Democracy, inviting Member States, the United Nations system and other regional, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to commemorate the Day.  The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Democracy is as much a process as a goal and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, the national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.

At Headquarters, the General Assembly observed the first International Day of Democracy on the morning of 15 September.  The General Assembly President and the Secretary-General participated in the observance and issued a message for the Day.  The United National Democracy Fund organized a symposium in the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium to discuss democracy promotion and UNDEF activities.