UNITED NATIONS, Sept 15 (APP):UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that democracy is showing greater strain than at any time in decades, and emphasized the need for more inclusive democracies.
“˜That is why this International Day (of Democracy) should make us look for ways to invigorate democracy and seek answers for the systemic challenges it faces,” he said in a message marking the Day on Saturday.
“It means making our democracies more inclusive, by bringing the young and marginalized into the political system,” he added. “It means making democracies more innovative and responsive to emerging challenges.”
The UN chief encouraged everyone to look for ways of invigorating democratic systems and values, calling on people everywhere to seek answers to the challenges facing democratic governments the world over.
Lamenting that democracy “is showing greater strain than at any time in decades,” he stressed that working for a future “that leaves no one behind, requires everyone to consider essential questions, such as:
What impact will migration or climate change have on democracy in the next generation?
How do we best harness the potential of new technologies while avoiding the dangers?
How do build better governance so that democracy delivers better lives and fully meets the public’s aspirations?”
The theme for this year’s observance is “Democracy under Strain: Solutions for a Changing World”. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Day is also an opportunity to highlight the values of freedom and respect for human rights as essential elements of democracy.
