Commemorating International Day of Democracy

15 September – the day first marked by the United Nations (under Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2007) as International Day of Democracy – is about promoting and protecting democratic principles around the world. Amidst the pandemic, the Foundation wondered whether there was much worth celebrating, and in a critical op-ed, highlighted the strains on democracy, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite the shortfalls, 2020 has demonstrated that there is a global aspiration for democracy.

In 2013, in line with a recommendation of the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security, the Kofi Annan Foundation launched the Electoral Integrity Initiative (EII). The EII is an informal network of organisa-tions and individuals who share a common concern for the unaddressed political challenges that undermine elections, especially in countries that have recently emerged from, or are experiencing, prolonged political instability.

The project is managed by a small team within the Kofi Annan Foundation. A group of individuals from around the world and from organisations with expertise and experience in improving electoral integrity make up the steering group for the project. Membership of the group is by invitation and informal. A group of Senior Public Figures made up of former statesmen and women has agreed to lend their support to the Initiative, and to en-gage, where requested, with individual countries where the risks of fraught and possibly violent elections are high.

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Commemorating International Day of Democracy

Electoral Integrity

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Kofi Annan Foundation