On
8 November 2007, the General Assembly proclaimed 15 September as the
International Day of Democracy, inviting Member States, the United
Nations System and other regional, inter-governmental and
non-governmental organizations to commemorate the Day. The International
Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to highlight the centrality of
this universal core value and to review the state of democracy in the
world. 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 become reality, to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.
U.N. PhotoToday the UN celebrates the International Day of Democracy. I suspect that here in the U.S. you won't see parades, fireworks displays, newspaper stories or any acknowledgement of the importance and the role of democracy in building a better future for all. Given the low turnout of eligible voters to the polls here, especially in local primaries and elections, let alone involvement through direct communication with government, letters to the editors, involvement in political campaigns, etc. ours is not currently the emblem of the term.While the U.S. might be the birthplace of modern democracy, our practice of its ideals is weak.
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