#Democracy 3 uncompetitive economy free

In 2015, world leaders committed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to a world in which “democracy, good governance and the rule of law as well as an enabling environment at national and international levels, are essential for sustainable development”. Since 1988, the General Assembly has adopted at least one resolution annually dealing with some aspect of democracy. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women stipulates that its 189 contracting parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that women can vote and stand for elections, and participate in public life and decision-making, including at the international level. It covers, for instance, freedom of expression, the right of peaceful assembly, and the right to freedom of association with others.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights develops them even further and lays down the legal basis for the principles of democracy in international law. It projects the concept of democracy by stating “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government”. These values are embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

#Democracy 3 uncompetitive economy free

Women and men have equal rights and all people are free from discrimination. People have a say in decisions and can hold decision-makers to account. Democracy provides an environment that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in which the freely expressed will of people is exercised. The UN does not advocate for a specific model of government but promotes democratic governance as a set of values and principles that should be followed for greater participation, equality, security and human development. Yet, the opening words of the Charter, “We the Peoples”, reflect the fundamental principle of democracy - that the will of the people is the source of legitimacy of sovereign states and, therefore, of the United Nations as a whole. In 1945, many of the UN Member States did not endorse democracy as a system, or didn’t practice it. When the founders of the United Nations drafted the United Nations Charter, they did not mention the word democracy.

Democracy in the founding documents of the United Nations United Nations activities in support of democracy are carried out through the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP), the United Nations Democracy Fund ( UNDEF), the Department of Peace Operations ( DPO), the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs ( DPPA), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights ( OHCHR),and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women ( UN Women), among others. The UN promotes good governance, monitors elections, supports the civil society to strengthen democratic institutions and accountability, ensures self-determination in decolonized countries, and assists in the drafting of new constitutions in post-conflict nations.

In the 75 years since the UN Charter was signed, the UN has done more to support democracy around the world than any other global organization. The UN supports democracy by promoting human rights, development, and peace and security. Democracy is a core value of the United Nations.