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The International Day of Democracy was observed worldwide on 15 September 2026.
The UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and the UN Office for Partnerships held an event at UN Headquarters, New York, titled 'Raising Hands and Voices', on how deliberative democracy and citizens' assemblies give people ownership of decisions.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed bringing people from across societies together to enrich decision-making and build peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.
The day was created by UN General Assembly Resolution 62/7, adopted by consensus on 8 November 2007, and was first observed in 2008.
15 September was chosen because it recalls the Universal Declaration on Democracy, adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Council in Cairo in September 1997.
ICNRD process begins after the Philippines' People Power Revolution, on Corazon Aquino's initiative
IPU's Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted in Cairo
UN Democracy Fund created by Secretary-General Kofi Annan as a UN General Trust Fund
6th ICNRD in Doha, Qatar, reaffirms democratic principles in its declaration and Plan of Action
UNGA adopts Resolution 62/7 by consensus, declaring 15 September the International Day of Democracy
First International Day of Democracy observed
Global organisation of national parliaments; authored the 1997 Universal Declaration on Democracy and mobilises member parliaments to mark the day
UN General Trust Fund created in 2005 by Kofi Annan; funds civil-society projects that strengthen democratic participation; co-host of the 2026 UN event
UN office for partnerships with the private sector and foundations; co-host of the 2026 UN Headquarters event
Deliberative democracy holds that decisions gain legitimacy through informed public discussion, not just voting. A citizens' assembly is a randomly selected group of ordinary people who hear evidence, deliberate on an issue and give recommendations to lawmakers.
Simple Analogy: Like a jury, but for a policy question instead of a trial.
General Awareness > Important Days
IPU declaration adopted in Cairo in September 1997; its anniversary gives the day its date
A randomly selected body of citizens that deliberates on a policy question and recommends action