Democracy Without Borders

Program Areas

Program Areas

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Global Democracy

GlobalDemocracy

 Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. — Article 21, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

We advocate a right to democracy at all levels

It is no longer possible to limit democracy to the nation-state. Conversely, democracy can only function on a global scale if it also prospers nationally. We support an improvement and strengthening of democracy and closer collaboration of democratic countries.

All people must enjoy access to fundamental political and civil rights, in particular the right to competitive free and fair elections and political participation.

Democracy Without Borders believes that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights constitute a right to democracy at all levels of public authority, from the local to the global.

As a measure to help strengthen democracy, Democracy Without Borders supports the creation of a new mandate of the UN Human Rights Council of Special Rapporteur on Democracy. 

What is democracy?

Learn here what democracy is, how it has developed over time, and the challenges it faces.

Two meanings of global democracy

Global democracy can address two things: the state of democracy across the world’s nation-states or democratization of global governance. Learn more about it here. The latter is part of our program area on global governance.

A UN Rapporteur on Democracy

Democracy Without Borders helps coordinate the campaign for the appointment of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy by the UN Human Rights Council.

An Alliance of Democracies

Democracy Without Borders supports the creation of an Alliance of Democracies following these principles and proposals.

Endorsements

We are part of the Global Democracy Coalition and we endorse the Coalition for Democratic Renewal.

Publications

Our publications provide unique perspectives and background analysis 

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News and developments in this program area

Lawmakers urge UN to establish independent democracy mandate
Parliamentarians for Global Action backs a proposed UN Special Rapporteur to monitor democratic governance, address backsliding, and promote good practices.
DWB | 22.06.2026
Civil society declaration warns UN goals are off track, urges reforms
Civil society groups outline recommendations on civic space, economic justice, rule of law, peacebuilding, human rights and UN reform, including the possible creation of a parliamentary UN body.
DWB | 17.06.2026
How the rise of autocracies is reshaping global governance
This article explains how autocracies are reshaping global governance through institutional drift, informal cooperation and domestic backlash, and how democracies can react to defend liberal norms and values.
Jonas Willibald Schmid | 08.06.2026
Report warns attacks on workers’ rights are weakening democracy
Labour rights are under mounting pressure worldwide, with the United States added to a watchlist and violations reported in most countries surveyed in the 2026 Global Rights Index.
DWB | 03.06.2026
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