The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) joins the United Nations, and countries and citizens around the world to commemorate International Democracy Day (September 15, 2016). This year’s theme is “Democracy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
This year as the world honors International Democracy Day, the United Nations, countries and civil society are one year in to working to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals). The Global Goals were adopted at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly by all 193 member states in September 2015. These goals, to be fulfilled by the year 2030, aim to eradicate poverty, promote gender equality, and to promote and advance democratic societies and access to justice for people around the world. The Middle East, in particular, remains a region of the world that has a democracy deficit with many of its peoples facing truly challenging circumstances.
Global Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions will focus on increasing access to justice and democracy for all world citizens.
“International Day of Democracy comes at a time of unrest for many people around the world, especially for people in the Middle East. Yet, there is hope for the emergence of institutional respect for human rights and the organic emergence of democracy by evolution,” said Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive Director. “Our human rights, our human dignity, and our ability to live healthy lives as world citizens will forever be connected to strong institutions and democratic societies,” continued Mr. Hamad.
AHRC-USA encourages all peace loving people in all communities to observe International Democracy Day and to learn more about the role of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in achieving democracy in all societies around the world.
To learn more about International Democracy Day, please visit http://www.un.org/en/events/democracyday/index.shtml
To learn more about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, please visit www.globalgoals.org