PURPOSE: The International Day of Democracy observed every year on 15 September 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, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. Democracy, in both theory and practice, is the subject of a huge field of literature. Within this literature, the international dimensions of democracy are increasingly understood and explored. Democracy has even come to be seen by some practitioners as something of a political panacea. It is widely accepted as a universal value. Yet the role of the United Nations – the embodiment of international society – in the promotion of democracy remains understudied, even though the organization has adopted democracy promotion as an important objective ‘‘The phenomenon of democratization’’ has had a marked impact on the United Nations. Just as newly-independent States turned to the United Nations for support during the era of decolonization, so today, following another wave of accessions to Statehood and political independence, Member States are turning to the United Nations for support in democratization.

FORUM: "Empowering the next generation: Democracy for Climatee Justice." International Day of Democracy 2023. This year’s theme will focus on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.
Young people are the current and future custodians of democracy: An engaged, well-educated electorate is at the heart of strong democratic societies. Creating an environment in which young people feel their voice counts is crucial. Young people must navigate a world in which democracies are under threat from factors ranging from the proliferation of online mis- and disinformation, to rising populism, and the destabilizing effects of the climate crisis. It is important everyone is able to meaningfully participate in the decisions that affect their lives now, and in years to come.
Climate justice and democracy: The effects of the climate crisis on the physical environment are today impossible to ignore, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is a challenge to democracy: growing food insecurity, migration, water scarcity, and extreme weather events are driving conflict and weighing on the minds of voters. Young people around the world have shown that they are extremely concerned about the climate crisis; in recent years hundreds of thousands of school age children, frustrated by the pace of negotiations to cut fossil fuel emissions, have taken part in large-scale marches, strikes, and protests. Calls for climate justice have also been a feature of these demonstrations: young people realize that they are likely to suffer the consequences of an increasingly unstable climate, caused by the activities of earlier generations. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #InternationalDayofDemocracy, #15September, #DemocracyDay. 

EVENTS: The United Nations recognizes the importance of empowering young people to take leadership roles on issues of international importance; the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth convenes the Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals, a group of 17 changemakers whose leadership is catalyzing the achievement of the SDGs, and the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change ensures that the United Nations Secretary-General hears directly from young climate activists, who can share strategies for advancing climate action. The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) finances projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes, including youth.

 EVENTS: Join the celebrations of the International Day of Democracy 2023.
- Empowering the next generation: Democracy for climate justice on September 15th from 14:00-15:00 EST. SDG Pavilion at the North Lawn UNHQ, New York.
The special event organized by the United Nations Democracy Fund within the United Nations Office for Partnerships, brings together civil society representatives, United Nations officials, and climate activists, to highlight the role of youth in advancing civic space and recognizes their leadership in moving climate action forward. Get the SDG Pavilion full programme and Watch the event live or on demand to explore the progress on the SDGs at Halftime.

IDEA: Inclusive Democracy for Sustainable Development on September 15th, from 10:00-13:00 EST at the Conference room 3, UNHQ, New York.
This event, organized by the intergovernmental organization International IDEA in partnership with the Global Democracy Coalition and the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations, will seek to deepen the understanding between inclusive democracy, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the forthcoming SDG Summit. REGISTER

STATEMENTS: Read the Statement from the United Nations Secretary General on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy 2023; September 15th.