"Civil
society is the oxygen of democracy. Civil society acts as a catalyst for social
progress and economic growth. It plays a critical role in keeping
Government accountable, and helps represent the diverse interests of the
population, including its most vulnerable groups."
Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon
2015 Theme: Space for Civil Society
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.
While democracies share common features, there is no single
model of democracy.
Activities
carried out by the United Nations in support of efforts of Governments to
promote and consolidate democracy are undertaken in accordance with the UN
Charter, and only at the specific request of the Member States concerned.
The UN General Assembly, in resolution A/62/7 (2007)
encouraged Governments to strengthen national programmes devoted to the
promotion and consolidation of democracy, and also decided that 15 September of
each year should be observed as the International Day of Democracy.
Globally, the role of civil society has never been more
important than this year, as the world prepares to implement a new development
agenda, agreed to by all the world’s Governments. However, for civil society
activists and organizations in a range of countries covering every continent,
space is shrinking — or even closing — as some Governments have adopted
restrictions that limit the ability of NGOs to work or to receive funding.
That is why the theme of this year’s International Day of
Democracy is "Space for Civil Society." It is a reminder to
Governments everywhere that the hallmark of successful and stable democracies
is the presence of a strong and freely operating civil society -- in which
Government and civil society work together for common goals for a better
future, and at the same time, civil society helps keep Government accountable.
The Future of Democracy
September 14, 2015 Written by Ana C. Rold
On this September day Greece will
play host to the third annual Athens Democracy Forum. In 2015, the symbolic
value of this hosting is stark. Greece’s ongoing economic issues were played
out to dramatic effect this summer. The Greek people were at the heart of the
play. Whether the people got exactly what they wanted or not in the end, they
were heard. The pictures of the electorate that played to the world were the
face of what modern democracy looks like.
It is in the spirit of maintaining,
and expanding, the voice of the people that this annual meeting convenes again
this year.
As the Athens Democracy Forum
focuses this year on the concerns facings modern democracies, those images from
Greece show us how far democracy has come. The cradle of democracy was once
less inclusive. Classical Athenian democracy restricted the voting voice to
male citizens. Democracy has evolved to take many forms, from populist oriented
voting to broad representative democracy.
One thing was consistent until
relatively recent in human history. Men remained the dominant voices in
democracy for centuries. While there were societies, like the Iroquois, that
afforded women voting rights in councils and communities, modern democracy
didn’t see real strides until the 19th century.
Suffrage created an origin point for
women to emerge as democratic leaders. Women currently hold the highest office
in 20 nations around the world, with notable strides in Europe and South
America. The voice of women in democracies could almost be taken for granted in
the 21st century.
It shouldn’t be. A philosophy of
rule established several millennia ago has opened its arms broadly to half of
the population only over the course of less than two centuries ago. In the case
of participatory democracy, history took too long to unfold. But it can unravel
quickly, not just for women but for everyone.
This year the Athens Democracy Forum
will focus on areas where the danger to democracy is acute. The prevalent
marriage of violence and religious extremism can strip away the human dignity
of those of outside faiths and women in or out of any faith set. Under economic
duress, some major powers can be seen reflexively retreating from experiments
with greater democracy.
Technology has made communication
easier but we see the discomfort some even very democratic governments have
with that. We don’t live in a world where the messages conveyed to the people
are restricted to a handful of networks anymore. The competing interest of the
state versus the democratization of information itself is a key battleground of
this still young century.
All of this plays out against a backdrop
of growing international income disparity. Part of democracy’s effectiveness is
the faith of the people that their voice can matter. Increased unemployment and
poverty for the masses is in stark contrast to narrow pools of extreme wealth
that doesn’t hide its influence on the politics of democratic governments. How
do we maintain faith in a system where many will feel they can’t afford their
place at the table?
Democracy has been with us for
thousands of years but its place has always been tenuous. Its strength and
endurance can only come from vigilant maintenance and forward thinking about
how to protect it and pass it along stronger to the generations to come.
It took too long to move forward. We can’t afford to
let it go back.
