An expert round table held on the sidelines of the Oslo Freedom Forum discussed the United Nations’ engagement on democracy and explored the appointment of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy.
Facing a funding crisis, the UN Secretariat plans deep budget cuts and restructuring. Civil society at the same time urges democratic reforms to make the UN more accountable and connected to global citizens.
At the 2025 United Nations conference on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16, held in New York on May 12, a joint civil society declaration was presented.
Democracy International and Democracy Without Borders at a webinar presented their joint report Global Citizens’ Assemblies: Pathways for the UN – Principles, Design, and Implementation.
A report of SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University identifies a number of common causes of democratic erosion across the world and in response suggests two overarching strategies.
Civil society groups are calling for an independent UN expert to help strengthen and monitor democracy worldwide. This article addresses some of the common concerns raised thus far by some governments.
In a resolution on the human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the UN Human Rights Council emphasized the important role of education in strengthening democracy.
To help illuminate and analyze the notable number of major antigovernment protests that have been occurring around the world in recent years, the Carnegie Endowment maintains the Global Protest Tracker, which
Despite democracy being a core principle of the United Nations, there is no dedicated UN mechanism to monitor and protect it. This article makes the case for the appointment of a UN Special Rapporteur.
An event titled “Democracy and Human Rights” was held in the margins of the 58th session of the UN’s Human Rights Council to brief diplomats on the proposed new mandate of UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy.
The Open Science Justice Lab at the University of Amsterdam has launched a project to advance research and knowledge sharing in support of developing a global constitution. Contributions are welcome.