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

It’s the end of internet anonymity as we know it (and I don’t feel fine)
Online identity checks risk becoming a dangerous slippery slope, making it easier for governments to erode anonymous speech and chill dissent under the guise of safety or accountability.
Sarah McLaughlin | 16.04.2026
Democracy stabilizes globally after eight years of decline, EIU says
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, among the 167 countries and territories covered, almost three quarters either improved from 2024 to 2025 or remained unchanged.
DWB | 09.04.2026
Repressive states secure most seats on UN’s NGO Committee
The UN's ECOSOC elected 19 states to the UN NGO Committee for 2027 to 2030. Freedom House rates only five as free, while eight are not free, raising concerns over authoritarian influence in the body.
DWB | 09.04.2026
Global freedom declined for two consecutive decades: Freedom House
In the new assessment, among 195 countries and 13 territories covered in the report, 89 were considered “free”, 52 “partly free” and 67 “not free” in 2025. Overall, 54 deteriorated and 35 improved.
George Wainwright | 24.03.2026
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