This year's International Day aims to empower the next generation by focusing on the critical role of children and youngsters in the democracy of today and the future.

International Day of Democracy - 15 September

This year's International Day aims to empower the next generation by focusing on the critical role of children and youngsters in the democracy of today and the future.
Photo: © UNICEF/UN014974/Estey

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, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But around the world, there are governments and those wielding power who find many ways to obstruct it.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

The link between democracy and press freedom is also enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

António Guterres

On the International Day of Democracy, we celebrate its promise to societies – and recognize the many threats it faces at this time of tension and turmoil.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres

UN entities involved in this initiative

UN
United Nations

Goals we are supporting through this initiative