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.

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 global 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.

Projects

DWB and its chapters are seeking donors and partners to develop projects in the field of democracy promotion at all levels.

Endorsements

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

News and developments in this program area

As global freedom recedes civil movements fight for fundamental rights
On March 4th Freedom House in Washington D.C. published its 2020 report on Freedom in the World, finding that in 2019 overall global freedom declined for the 14th consecutive time.
Andreas Meier | 10.03.2020
Global survey: democracy remains popular but many are dissatisfied
Over the past few years, many commentators have become pessimistic about the future of democracy, lamenting the rise of right-populist movements stretching from the United States to India. However, the
Peter Orvetti | 03.03.2020
EIU report: 2019 a year of democratic setbacks and popular protest
The twelfth edition of the Democracy Index covering 2019 that was published recently has concluded that global democracy is in its most fragile state since The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
Ryan Whyte | 07.02.2020
Dissatisfaction with democracy at an all-time high, new study says
A study from the University of Cambridge’s new Centre for the Future of Democracy that was launched these days has found dissatisfaction with democracy around the world at its highest
Peter Orvetti | 04.02.2020