Celebrating the International Day of Democracy: A global call to support democratic value
Strengthening democracy through transparency, participation, and open data
Every year on 15 September, we come together to mark the International Day of Democracy; a moment to reflect on the state of democracy across nations, as well as recommit to its principles. Established by the United Nations in 2007, this international day serves as a reminder that democracy is more than a political system and focuses on providing peace, development, and human rights. Democracy empowers citizens to shape their societies by enabling participation, transparency, and accountability.
In a time where democratic institutions face increasing pressure, it is of great importance to safeguard democratic values. The International Day of Democracy encourages governments, civil society, and individuals to engage in dialogue with each other, as well as promote civil education and strengthen democratic resilience across nations. On this day, we take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the progress which has been made but also confront challenges and renew our efforts toward establishing inclusive and participatory governance.
One powerful tool that helps enable democracy is open data. By making government data freely accessible, open data initiatives create transparency, enable informed decision-making, and empower citizens to hold institutions accountable. Many of these datasets, covering topics from environmental statistics to public health metrics, are available on the European Data Portal, helping bridge the gap between governments and the people that they serve and turning democratic ideals into everyday practices.
As we celebrate the International Day of Democracy, it is essential to recognise that democracy does not only thrive through elections and institutions, but also through openness and active engagement by citizens. By embracing transparency and participation, we can work on building stronger, more resilient democracies for the future.
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