United Nations Convening Power Unites People, Its Impartiality Bridges Deep

Divides, Says Secretary-General on International Day of Democracy

Following are Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the United Nations Democracy Fund event on the International Day of Democracy, in New York, on 15 September:

I am delighted to join you for this second International Day of Democracy, and to be among such a diverse group of friends of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).  We have everyone from donor Government representatives to human rights and democracy activists from around the world.  Thank you for coming to celebrate our common commitment, and thanks to the UNDEF team for bringing us together.

The film you have just seen depicts an adventure in democracy starting at the very tender young roots of civil society.  It is also a fascinating study in human nature, which is, after all, what democracy is all about.  I am sure we can all recognize certain traits of our own character in these children in China!

Above all, the film tells us that the exercise of democracy is a continuous learning process that starts early and spans a lifetime ‑‑ in individuals and societies alike.

Last year on this day, I spoke about why democracy matters in the context of the United Nations.

This year, I would like to invert that question, and ask:  what is the role of the United Nations in the context of democracy?

The United Nations Charter implies commitment to the democratic ideal in the very first words of the Preamble, “We the Peoples”.

More recently, at the 2005 World Summit, the world’s Governments resolved to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to support democracy in Member States.

Since then, the United Nations role in democracy support has become even more important.

The world has witnessed a lively debate about the many difficulties and pitfalls involved in promoting democracy around the globe.

As a result, it has become necessary to ensure that international efforts in support of democracy are widely acceptable and accepted.

This is where societies, people and Governments look to the United Nations.  They look to the United Nations as an impartial, peaceful and legitimate means to seed and strengthen the foundations of democracy from within.  They look to the world body to work in concert with the will of the people.  They look to the Charter to uphold actions that are underpinned by the rule of law.

This responsibility imposes an obligation on the United Nations ‑‑ a duty to be as effective as possible and to coordinate our efforts.

That means using our comparative advantage.  Often, we can go where other entities may find it harder to operate.  Often, we can go where other actors do not or cannot go.  We have seen many such examples.  I have experienced those examples already.  There are certain places where other leaders cannot go; only I could go.

As an essential first step, I recently circulated a Guidance Note on Democracy to all parts of the United Nations, including field presences.  It sets out the United Nations framework for democracy, based on universal principles.  It commits the Organization to coherent and consistent action.

Today, let’s look at what the United Nations work for democracy can mean in practice.  Let’s look at just a few of the initiatives made possible by support from the United Nations Democracy Fund.

These civil society activists and community organizers bring all their conviction to the task ‑‑ often in the face of adversity.  To qualify for UNDEF funding, they must produce rigorous project designs good enough to beat a field of more than 20 applicants per grant.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where gender-based violence is such a terrible problem, UNDEF support has given a group striving for women’s empowerment a much wider audience and far greater ability to work inside parliament and to challenge weak legislation.

For a non-governmental organization conducting an electoral reform project in Pakistan, UNDEF and the United Nations name have been instrumental in gathering together disparate constituencies.

For a human rights project in Palestine, the United Nations badge has had a multiplier effect, inspiring other organizations to initiate further viable initiatives.

In Myanmar, UNDEF backing has allowed for the delivery of a youth mobilization project that will better prepare future leaders to deal with the many challenges facing their nation.

In Iraq, UNDEF support and the non-partisan umbrella of the United Nations made possible a project to bring together lawyers from every community for training in human rights and constitutional law.

In Afghanistan, UNDEF has made it possible to bring women together for an extensive project on human rights within the context of Islam.

And for journalists in Somalia, UNDEF backing has brought training in human rights and good governance.  One said that knowing he has UN support makes him feel empowered for the first time, and finally able to work to make his fellow Somalis feel the same.

I asked at the beginning, what is the role of the United Nations in advancing democracy?  These examples provide some answers.

The United Nations convening role, convening power can bring people together.  The United Nations impartiality can bridge deep divides.  The United Nations universal values can inspire people around the world.

There are many more answers to be found, wherever the Organization works to advance democracy ‑‑ whether it be through political good offices or peacekeeping, through developing good governance or promoting human rights.

On this International Day of Democracy, let us pay tribute to the men, women and young people who work in partnership with the United Nations around the world to make democracy a reality.  This Day belongs to them.  Let us celebrate their commitment to a lifelong journey in democracy.

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For information media • not an official record