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.

News and developments in this program area

Resetting global democracy support: let those on the frontlines lead
A report of SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University identifies a number of common causes of democratic erosion across the world and in response suggests two overarching strategies.
Soheila Comninos and Scott Warren | 30.04.2025
A new UN Rapporteur on Democracy: addressing common concerns
Civil society groups are calling for an independent UN expert to help strengthen and monitor democracy worldwide. This article addresses some of the common concerns raised thus far by some governments.
Rodrigo Lima and Andreas Bummel | 11.04.2025
Education key to supporting democracy says UN Human Rights Council
In a resolution on the human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the UN Human Rights Council emphasized the important role of education in strengthening democracy.
DWB | 08.04.2025
Why are political protests surging around the world?
To help illuminate and analyze the notable number of major antigovernment protests that have been occurring around the world in recent years, the Carnegie Endowment maintains the Global Protest Tracker, which
Thomas Carothers and Judy Lee | 07.04.2025