Date: Monday, 15th September 2025. 18th Annual Day.
Sponsor: United Nations
Objectives:
The International Day of Democracy is annually celebrated for the following purposes:
- to recognize that democracy, development, and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing,
- to stress that democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people,
- to review the state of democracy around the world,
- to encourage and promote democratization, development, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Inception:
The first International Day of Democracy was held on 15 September 2008, the 20th anniversary of the First International Conference of the New or Restored Democracies.
History:
The Universal Declaration on Democracy, which affirms democracy’s fundamental principles and values and international scope, was originally adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in September 1997 and reaffirmed at the sixth conference of International Conferences on New and Restored Democracies (ICNRD-6) in 2006.
On 8 November 2007, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution (A/RES/62/7) officially proclaiming 15 September each year as the International Day of Democracy. The United Nations invited all member states and organizations to commemorate the International Day of Democracy annually in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.
Why do we mark democracy?
Democracy is a state where people have the right to participate in the decision-making process of their nation rather than being controlled by a government. It is closely linked with human rights. Democracy is only achievable when everyone has the right to vote or participate in an election regardless of race, gender, or other factors related to inclusion and equality.
Democracy is a fundamental element for a safe and peaceful society. When democracy is absent, life may face unimaginable, incomprehensible challenges. In a free society, people may take their freedoms for granted. In many places worldwide, however, democracy is still a dream for the people there.
How to observe the International Day of Democracy:
On the day, individuals and organizations may work together to review democracy status and hold events to raise awareness of democracy. The events may include conferences, discussions, and social media campaigns, as well as distribution of leaflets, posters, and flyers. Each year, the International Day of Democracy commemoration focuses on a specific theme identified and suggested by the United Nations.
Annual theme in recent years:
2025 theme: “Democracy and Inclusion in an Age of Insecurity.”
2024 theme: “Navigating AI for Governance and Citizen Engagement.”
2023 theme: “Empowering the Next Generation.”
2022 theme: “Protecting Press Freedom for Democracy.”
2021 theme: “Strengthening Democratic Resilience in the Face of Future Crises.”
2020 theme: “COVID-19: A Spotlight on Democracy”
2019 theme: “Participation”
2018 theme: “Democracy under Strain: Solutions for a Changing World.”
2017 theme: “Democracy and Conflict Prevention.”
Official website:
www.un.org/en/observances/democracy-day
