International Day of Democracy

Since 2008, September 15th has been celebrated as the International Day of Democracy, a date established by the UN General Assembly. It is a day dedicated to reflecting on democracy, understood both as a process and as a goal.

Currently, many governments in Latin America and the Caribbean came to power through elections, but once there they curtail freedoms, violate human rights, persecute or repress protesters and political opponents, or try to reverse acquired rights.

None of this aligns with democratic principles. The true practice of democracy involves more than just elections; it fundamentally entails building mechanisms for the participation of all people in their social and political lives, as well as the full exercise of their rights and freedoms.

This year's theme focuses on the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for good governance.

For further information, see:

“In Latin America, we have democratic dictatorships,” René Ramírez

"The far right defends the rich, the financial system, in order to maintain its privileges," Margo Ferré

“There is an anti-Correa sentiment that is visceral,” Stalin Herrera

“The vote for Milei was the first anti-establishment vote in Argentina,” Gabriel Kessler

“In Colombia we are building the foundations of a possible future,” María José Pizarro

“Milei has a project to destroy the Argentine state and society,” Atilio Borón

Anti-communism does not need actual communism to exist, Magdalena Broquetas San Martín

“One controversy in Artificial Intelligence is the tension between development and security,” Flavia Costa

Debates on Democracy and Equality: Colombia's Role in the Struggle for the Right to Democracy and Equality in Latin America and the Caribbean in Late 21st-Century Capitalism, René Ramírez Gallegos, Luciana Cadahia, Andrés Rodrigo López, Salvador Martí i Puig, Mario Ríos Fernández. [Authors]

Debates-democracy

Democracy as an affront, Álvaro García Linera

Democracy as a grievance

The crisis of democracy in Latin America, Andrés Tzeiman. Danilo Enrico Martuscelli. [Coordinators]

The Tzeiman Crisis

How to resist the conservative shift in Latin America?

Advance of the right wing in the world