International Day for remarking “Systems where people are counted, not weighed”- September 15th!

We humans have different perspectives. Applying that to politics, yes, we do have different political perspectives, and most importantly it’s our human right to have independent political opinions without anyone’s influence. In this dynamic world, our political perspectives also can change from time to time, it’s not a crime but a RIGHT even to change your mind about politics!

Let’s talk about something in politics worth knowing, as people who make logical decisions. Have you heard about “Democracy” before? Or even something similar to that such as representative government, elective government, constitutional government, popular government, self-government, government by the people, autonomy, or republic. Democracy is a system of government in which power is in the hands of people and exercised by them directly or through freely elected representatives. According to the Cambridge dictionary democracy means “the belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is either held by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves”. 

Democracy isn’t a monolith; it takes on various forms. There’s the beacon of Liberal Democracy, which champions individual freedom and maintains a healthy skepticism towards power concentrated in groups or governments. Then, there’s Social Democracy, which places its emphasis on equality through the collective efforts of groups, governments, and organizations. These are just two among the manifold variations of democracy. Moreover, this political concept has 5 outstanding characteristics; an independent judiciary, elected representatives, civil liberties, organized opposition parties, and the rule of Law. 

The International Day of Democracy provides a chance to review the state of democracy worldwide. Democracy is as much a process as a goal and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society, and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere on earth as citizens.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But around the globe, there are governments and those wielding power who find many ways to obstruct it.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

By the way, this year’s theme for the International Day for Democracy is, “Empowering the next generation”, targeting younger ones’ essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world. 

“On the International Day of Democracy, 

we celebrate its promise to societies – and recognize the many threats it faces 

at this time of tension and turmoil”

–UN Secretary-General António Guterres

This event which is to be held on 15^th September 2023 in New York, America, organized by the intergovernmental organization International IDEA in partnership with the Global Democracy Coalition and the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations, will seek to deepen the understanding between inclusive democracy, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the forthcoming Sustainable Development Goals Summit.

Therefore, democracy is a universally recognized ideal and even is one of the core values and principles of the United Nations.  The UN promotes good governance, monitors elections, supports civil society to strengthen democratic institutions and accountability, ensures self-determination in decolonized countries, and assists in the drafting of new constitutions in post-conflict nations. Democracy provides an environment for the protection and practical realization of human rights.

Written by: Rtr. Sadini Silva

Graphic design by: Rtr. Keshani Weerasekara