On 15 September 2009, the international community will celebrate the second International Day of Democracy. This International Day is a reaffirmation by the international community of its commitment to build participatory and inclusive societies, based on the rule of law and fundamental human rights. Supporting democratic aspirations and processes at national and local levels has been one of major areas of UNDP's work contributing to the broader goals of international peace and security, economic and social development and respect for human rights.

PHOTO: Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations. Although the UN Charter includes no mention of the word "democracy", the opening words of the Charter, "We the Peoples", reflect the fundamental principle of democracy that the will of the people is the source of legitimacy of sovereign states and therefore of the UN as a whole.  

By declaring the International Day of Democracy, the UN General Assembly reaffirmed that democracy is a universal core value which is "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". As an ideal, democracy is shared by peoples throughout the world irrespective of cultural, political, social and economic differences. The international community further recognizes, "there is no single model of democracy", and it "does not belong to any country or region".

During the past two decades, the world has witnessed an unprecedented wave of democratic transitions, progress and consolidation. But despite these achievements, democratic values and principles continue to face considerable challenges in both established and emerging democracies. Absence of inclusive growth and development, persistent levels of poverty and growing inequality continue to undermine the potential for democratic governance. Weak or non-existent democratic institutions, on the other hand, severely constrain our ability to fight poverty, hunger and under-development. Democracy empowers people to voice their concerns, demand accountability and transparency and ensure justice and equity, which are sine qua non for inclusive and pro-poor development.

We must, therefore, continue and expand our support for broader civic engagement in decision-making and governance, facilitate political processes and elections to ensure that they truly reflect choices of the people and promote pluralism, understanding and tolerance, uphold human rights to foster justice and equity and strengthen the capacities of state and non-state institutions and bring fundamental change in their attitude and behavior to deliver human development and MDGs.