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

UN cuts its human rights budget amid rising violations worldwide
UN budget cuts reflect growing political pressure on human rights, as China and allies push for defunding while civil society warns of weakening global protections and accountability.
DWB | 19.01.2026
UN’s human rights work under massive pressure, forty states warn
A group of forty states led by Chile and the International Service for Human Rights warned at a meeting in Geneva that proposed budget cuts will disproportionately affect the UN’s human rights pillar.
DWB | 10.12.2025
Berlin: experts debate UN’s role in view of “authori­tarian influence”
Experts convened to assess whether the UN can uphold democracy amid rising authoritarian influence, endorsing stronger citizen participation at the UN and democratic coordination.
DWB | 02.12.2025
Berlin: World Liberty Congress vows united struggle against autocrats
The World Liberty Congress met in Berlin for its 2025 General Assembly. It elected a new leadership and adopted the Berlin Manifesto, a bold call for coordinated action worldwide.
DWB | 14.11.2025