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

Global statement: Human rights defenders need more support and protection
The 9th of December 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders  and 10th of December the 70th anniversary of the UN’s Universal Declaration on
Hans Leander | 10.12.2018
Bertelsmann study: Quality of democracy declining in EU and OECD countries
Sustainable Governance IndicatorsThe quality of democracy in industrialized states is steadily declining. At the same time political polarization is growing, making it more difficult for states to implement sustainable reform.
DWB | 15.11.2018
Renewing democracy: proposals and ideas from civil society
Worldwide consultationsIf we could reimagine the kind of democracy we live in and the way we experience democracy, what would it look and be like?This was the question our global
Mandeep Tiwana | 09.11.2018
New data confirms a halt of democracy’s rise in the world
In November 2017 the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) based in Stockholm published its first report on “The Global State of Democracy” (GSoD) (Democracy Without Borders
Marie Becker | 07.11.2018