The world is celebrating the democracy day on Tuesday (today), September 15, to underline the importance of democracy, highlight the challenges it faces and project opportunities it offers.
United Nations declared 15th of September as International Day of Democracy on November 8, 2007 and invites all member states, organisations, non-governmental organisations and individuals to commemorate the International Day of Democracy in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.
UN also invites member states to make sure, that parliamentarians and civil society organisations are given appropriate opportunity to be involved in, and contribute to, the celebration of the International Day of Democracy. UN states that "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 life."
And that "While democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy and that democracy does not belong to any country or region." As it is positive that UN acknowledged the importance of an international day of democracy, it is also central to stress that it is not enough just to promote democracy it is imperative also to discuss, evaluate and explore the realms of democracy.
It is also essential that civil society organisations take responsibility and action to influence the agenda of the International Day of Democracy, making sure that the debate reflects issues relevant to the various parts of the population, including the marginalised and poor people. On the first International Day of Democracy, celebrated on 15 September 2008, around 50 parliaments organised special events, reaffirming parliament as the central institution of democracy.
The theme of the 2009 International Day of Democracy is "Democracy and political tolerance". Political tolerance is a central tenet of democracy and is essential to the functioning of parliaments. The IPU is organising a series of activities around this theme and has encouraged parliaments to mark the 2009 International Day of Democracy through activities devoted to the promotion of political tolerance.