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  Events on the occasion of the
  International Day of Democracy 2011

IPU encourages all parliaments to organize activities on 15 September to promote dialogue with citizens and highlight the theme of What do citizens expect from their parliament?. Suggestions for events and other activities that parliaments may organize around that date are listed below.

• IPU activities
• Parliamentary and other events around the world

IPU ACTIVITIES IN 2011

This year, the IPU is marking the International Day of Democracy in the great democracy of India. We are taking this opportunity to draw attention to two of the required ingredients of democracy: gender equality and non-discrimination. Please visit a dedicated page on our website for more information on the Regional Seminar for Asian Parliaments "Preventing and responding to violence against women and girls: From legislation to effective enforcement".

Keep up to date with events being organized for the International Day of Democracy and learn how you can participate on Facebook and Twitter:

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/internationaldayofdemocracy
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/democracy_day

PARLIAMENTARY AND OTHER EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD IN 2011

Parliaments are requested to inform the IPU about their plans for the International Day of Democracy. A list of such events will be published on this page. Below is a list of parliamentary events that IPU is aware of. The list is based on the information received by IPU from parliaments around the world.

Click on the country name to see information about the corresponding parliament as stored in PARLINE database. To add information about an event to the list, please contact the IPU Secretariat.

For information about IPU activities organized in connection with the celebration of the International Day of Democracy in previous years, use the links below:

• 2010
• 2009
• 2008

Last updated on 23 October 2011   
 

Country Description of event Albania The Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, met with young people to discuss democracy. [ Further information ... ] Algeria A seminar on the theme 'What do citizens expect from their parliament?' was organized in the Council of the Nation on 14 September. Parliamentarians from both chambers, members of the government, senior civil servants, academics and representatives of civil society and the media took part in the seminar. Andorra The Parliament of Andorra organized on September 15 a televised debate on 'What do citizens expect their parliament?' to be broadcast on Andorra Television (ATV). The participants in the debate were one representative from each political group in the parliament, Mr. Josep Dallerès, member of the Advisory Board of the Global Parliamentary Report, the President of the National Youth Forum of Andorra and the President of Caritas-Andorra. The President of Parliament held a press conference, and the FAQ on parliaments for young people was translated into Catalan and distributed through the Ministry of Education. Armenia The Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan, issued a statement on the International Day of Democracy. [ Further information ... ] Australia The Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives will issue a media release calling on Australian citizens to take 60 seconds to reflect on what democracy means to them. Events will also be organized at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, where the Minister for Arts will announce new research fellowships to study Australia's political history. [ Further information ... ] Austria The Austrian Parliament has planned a series of presentations and discussions from 15 September to 26 October. The introductory event for the International Day of Democracy is a presentation by the former East German dissident, poet and singer-songwriter, Mr Wold Biermann, on the topic "Glory and Misery of a Democracy". Other events will include a symposium on "Education and Democracy - A Global Perspective", a discussion panel on "Children are our Future" and an Open Day on the occasion of the Austrian National Day. Austria The Austrian Parliament has planned a series of presentations and discussions from 15 September to 26 October. The introductory event for the International Day of Democracy is a presentation by the former East German dissident, poet and singer-songwriter, Mr Wold Biermann, on the topic "Glory and Misery of a Democracy". Other events will include a symposium on "Education and Democracy - A Global Perspective", a discussion panel on "Children are our Future" and an Open Day on the occasion of the Austrian National Day. Bahrain The Council of Representatives and the Shura Council issued a joint statement on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy. [ Further information ... ] Bangladesh The Jatiya Sangsad organized a roundtable on ' People's Expectations of Bangladesh Parliament: Achievements and Challenges' in partnership with UNDP. The Speaker, Mr. Abdul Hamid stated his hope that parliament will take be a centre stage in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people. [ Further information ... ] Bhutan Bhutan celebrated the International Day of Democracy by holding a panel discussion organized by the Parliament of Bhutan, Bhutan Center for Media & Development (BCMD) and the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation (BBSC). In attendance were students from a number of high schools and tertiary institutes and new graduates. The panelists comprised a member from each of the two Houses of Parliament and a commissioner from the Election Commission of Bhutan. A visual art competition was also organized by BCMD for which prizes were awarded to the winners. The panel discussion will be broadcast on the BBSC TV program. [ Further information ... ] Croatia The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament issued a public statement on the International Day of Democracy. Cyprus The President of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yiannikis Omirou, made a statement to a plenary session of parliament. [ Further information ... ] Czech Republic The Chamber of Deputies will launch an interactive exhibition to mark the 150 year anniversary of the parliament. The exhibition is entitled "On the Path to a Modern Parliament". The Chamber of Deputies has also organized a number of special seminars intended to help students and teachers understand the workings of parliament and the meaning of democracy. The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies is a patron of this year's debate competition called Path to the Parliament. The competition is aimed at college students who are interested in the political life of the Czech Republic. Ethiopia A ceremony was organized by the House of Peoples' Representatives, with a discussion on the role of democratic institutions and the growth of democracy. [ Further information ... ] Georgia A meeting was held between the most active users of the parliament's social media sites and the Chairman of the Committee on Education, Science and Culture, Giorgi Gabashvili and the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Akaki Minashvili. [ Further information ... ] Iceland The Parliament of Iceland published information on its educational website for young people, Skolathing. The Chairperson of the Icelandic delegation to the IPU, Ms. Thuridur Backman, reminded all Members and citizens of the importance of the International Day during the parliamentary session on 15 September. [ Further information ... ] Indonesia A live national discussion on "What do citizens expect from their parliament?" on 16 September. The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Mr. Marzuki Alie, the chair of the IPU cooperation committee, Dr. Hidayat Nur Wahid, Prof. Bachtiar Effendy and a number of non-governmental organizations participated in the discussion. The Indonesian Parliament also placed an International Day of Democracy billboard in front of the parliamentary premises. Ireland The International Day of Democracy will begin with parliamentarians making Democracy Day statements on the floor of the Dáil Éireann. At a seminar in Leinster House, Professor Michael Marsh of Trinity College Dublin will present the findings from his major study of the General Election 2011. The study represents a comprehensive analysis of the recent election and provides a contemporary picture of what Irish citizens expect from their national parliament and its members. The International Day of Democracy will also be marked by an Oireachtas National Essay Competition for 5th year students. [ Further information ... ] The Senate adopted a motion on the International Day of Democracy which "welcomes the successes of the recent movements for democracy across different countries internationally with the events of the "Arab Spring", and condemns attempts by repressive undemocratic regimes to suppress these movements." [ Further information ... ] The House of Representatives held a debate on the International Day of Democracy, in which different members made statements [ Further information ... ] France As part of the celebrations of the 'Journées du patrimoine', an exhibit on the International Day of Democracy will be displayed at the National Assembly. Liberia A round-table interactive dialogue will take place between Members of the Legislature and representatives of pro-democracy organizations on the theme of what citizens expect of their Legislators. It is expected that the Speaker of the House of Representatives will make a speech on "The State of Liberia's democracy: from Legislative perspective", while the and the President Pro tempore of the Senate will comment on "Developing Professionalism at the Legislature: achievements and challenges". [ Further information ... ] Luxembourg Initiatives taken in 2011 to promote democracy include the publication of a declaration of interests for all MPs on the website of the Chamber of Deputies. The Speaker announced in July 2011 his intention to make public the attendance list for all Committee meetings and plenary sessions, with reasons provided for any absences. On 15 July 2011, the Chamber of Deputies signed an agreement with the University of Luxembourg on inter alia the funding of doctoral theses on parliamentarianism and a professional internship programme in parliament for students pursuing a Master's degree in European governance at the University. Maldives Parliament will broadcast a question and answer session, which provides an opportunity for grade 8 and 9 students to speak with their parliamentary representatives about the relationship between parliament and democracy. Mexico The President of the Senate delivered a speech on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy. [ Further information ... ] Myanmar The Speaker of the upper chamber of parliament issued a statement on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy. A joint session of Parliament will be held on September 15 to allow MPs to read papers to mark the International Day of Democracy on that day. [ Further information ... ] Philippines An exhibition will be organized on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy. Romania A declaration was delivered in the plenum of the Senate by Senator Emilian Francu, member of the Steering Committee of the Romanian IPU Group. [ Further information ... ] A declaration was delivered in the plenum of the Chamber of Deputies by Mr. Emil Radu Moldovan, President of the Romanian IPU Group. [ Further information ... ] Serbia The Serbian Parliament organised a conference on Human Rights and Parliamentarians in cooperation with the OSCE Mission to Serbia, to mark the International Day of Democracy and the 120 year anniversary of its membership of the IPU. [ Further information ... ] Switzerland The Presidents of the National Council and the Council of the States will make a speech to the plenary of each chamber on the International Day of Democracy. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia The President of the Assembly and the Head of the Macedonian Delegation to the IPU, Mr. Trajko Velianoski issued a statement on the International Day of Democracy. Parliament also marked the International Day of Democracy in cooperation with the Citizens Association MOST by organizing an open doors day for schoolchildren. A debate was held in the Committee on Constitutional Issues: "Towards increased participation of the civil society in the supervisory and legislative role of Parliament", with participation from representatives of civil society, experts and parliamentarians. [ Further information ... ] United Kingdom A question was put to the government in the House of Lords about plans to celebrate the International Day of Democracy. [ Further information ... ] Zambia The Clerk of the National Assembly, Doris Mwiinga, spoke in Lusaka at a commemoration of the International Day of Democracy. * * * European Parliament A statement was issued by the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Jerzy Buzek.   [ Further information ... ] East African Legislative Assembly A motion was adopted by the East African Legislative Assembly urging the Assembly and national parliaments to annually celebrate the International Day of Democracy.   [ Further information ... ] Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe On 5 September 2011, the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, adopted a Declaration of Democracy and a Declaration for the International Day of Democracy.   [ Further information ... ] Community of Democracies - Parliamentary Forum for Democracy A forum on 'Strengthening Freedom and Democratic Governance: The Role of the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy' will take place at the U.S. Congress on 15 September.   [ Further information ... ] Events at the United Nations United Nations This year's International Day of Democracy on 15 September coincides with the observance at UN Headquarters of the International Day of Peace, under the theme of "Peace and Democracy: Make Your Voice heard". In his statement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon notes that "This year has been a remarkable one in the history of democracy" and says "let us redouble our efforts to support all people, in particular the young – the drivers of this year's momentous events – in making democracy a working reality". [ Further information ... ] 'Democracy must come from the will of the people': statement by Helen Clark, the UNDP Administrator. [ Further information ... ] Other Estonia Democracy Week, a civic education initiative organized by the Open Estonia Foundation, will be celebrated in 30 secondary schools across the country with a series of lectures from September 12 to 16.   [ Further information ... ] Indonesia The Voice of Indonesia service will organize, in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Jakarta, a live radio talk show on 'Youth and Democracy'.   [ Further information ... ] Ghana The Accra Principles for Electoral Justice were launched on the International Day of Democracy by Mrs Justice Theodora Wood, the Chief Justice.   [ Further information ... ] Kenya A youth forum on 'Building Partnerships for Youth Inclusion and Democracy' will be held in Nairobi, Kenya. The discussion is aimed at raising awareness amongst young people on issues affecting them and their participation in democracy. Kosovo The Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and NDI celebrated the International Day of Democracy with 'Open Doors' day at the Assembly of Kosovo, a CSO Fair and a simulation of a parliamentary debate on the topic "What do Kosovo youth expect from their institutions?".   [ Further information ... ] Mexico A celebration was organized in the presence of the President of the Republic, the Presidents of both chambers of parliament, the Administrator of UNDP and other senior figures.   [ Further information ... ] Netherlands The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy is organizing a series of events. These include a 'Night of Dictatorship', with workshops, films, documentaries, lectures and debates to experience the different aspects of a dictatorship; and a 'Day of Democracy', which includes a discussion with politicians and a public debate on fundamental rights. The debate will ask 'How to prioritise fundamental rights?' and 'What happens when public security conflicts with freedom of speech?'. Democracy Heroes: on the International Day of Democracy, citizens from the Netherlands will be rewarded for their efforts to develop democracy.   [ Further information ... ] United Kingdom The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, issued a statement to mark the International Day of Democracy.   [ Further information ... ] The United Nations Association of Edinburgh will commemorate the International Day of Democracy with a talk by Professor Jan Aart Scholte entitled 'Reinventing Global Democracy'. The talk will identify the major shortfalls of democracy that mark current governance of global challenges.   [ Further information ... ] The British Ambassador to Mexico issued a video statement on the International Day of Democracy.   [ Further information ... ] United States of America The Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the US Department of State posted a statement on the International Day of Democracy.   [ Further information ... ] * * * International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) IFES celebrated the International Day of Democracy with a video on why democracy matters and how you can help champion it. IFES also awarded individuals who have contributed to advancing democracy.   [ Further information ... ] World Movement for Democracy The World Movement for Democracy issued a statement on the International Day of Democracy.   [ Further information ... ]