International Day of Democracy 15 September| Empowering the next generation

 How did our ancestors fight for democracy in the colonial period?

Democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights are bedrocks of resilient, inclusive, and peaceful societies. They underwrite freedom, advance sustainable development, and protect the dignity and rights of every person.

The 15th of September is International Day of Democracy. This day is an occasion to consider the significance of democracy and work to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide.

Interview with elder Marta Mainga

Grandma, good afternoon!

Good afternoon my daughter.

What's your name?

My name is Marta Mainga João.

Grandma, how old are you?

I no longer remember what my correct age is.

Please tell us a little about what life was like during the colonist’s time.

Life in the colonist's time, when we still lived with our ancestors, was very cruel.

We were all forced to go out to the fields to work. Husbands had to go out and we wives had to go out too, we left the little children starving at home. Then our little children also started to be forced to go out to work, our houses were kept closed.

When we woke up later, we realized that we were being used and enslaved without any reward.

When we tried to complain about fatigue and excesses, we were beaten, punished and put down. We were going through a lot of injustice. They forced us  to walk long distances and had no right to rest, if we tried to complain we were punished.

If God said, by the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, why for these white people we work without rest, we are enslaved without receiving any reward?

So we started to protest against the whites, we started to expel them so that they could return to their land and leave us in peace with our Africa, our land.

We, all the slaves, came together to kill and drive away the white people, because it wasn't fair that they were using us and enslaving us on our land without paying us anything.

Some white people fled, others showed resistance and continued to enslave us. So we went out with machetes in hand to fight them.

We must work with the will and gift that God gave us and consequently reap the fruits of our hard work. But white people didn't want our happiness. We were forced to work, beating us up with whips, and they didn't pay us anything. They made us slaves and tortured us, for them men and women, children and the elderly were all equal. They didn't feel sorry for anyone.

Was it very painful to live in that era?

Yes, it was very difficult.

We took up machetes to expel the white people from our land, they began to flee by plane. We picked up rocks and started throwing them at the plane, one of the planes crashed...

We grabbed some white people, one of them couldn't escape and stayed in the way because he was badly injured, the other white man we sent to zaire.

We used to sing it: If this land is truly ours, then you white people must leave our land, so that we can have peace. They always used firearms to kill us.

We had no weapons, but with machetes and stones in our hands, we drove all the white people away from our land.

Did you fight hard for democracy and achieve freedom?

Yes, we suffered a lot, at that time there was no democracy.

God said, by the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, but white people wanted to enrich themselves at our expense.

Can the empty bag stand upright? It cannot.

So a person who works a lot without rest and without eating also has no strength to stand up.

White people have sinned a lot against us.

2023 Theme: Empowering the next generation

This year’s theme for the International Day of Democracy, “Empowering the next generation,” focuses on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.

Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the ability to elect their leaders and make decisions regarding the administration of their country. It is founded upon the principles of liberty, equality, and fairness.

Young people are the current and future custodians of democracy

An engaged, well-educated electorate is at the heart of strong democratic societies. Creating an environment in which young people feel their voice counts is crucial.

Young people must navigate a world in which democracies are under threat from factors ranging from the proliferation of online mis- and disinformation, to rising populism, and the destabilizing effects of the climate crisis. It is important everyone is able to meaningfully participate in the decisions that affect their lives now, and in years to come.

Unresolved conflicts, the rising threat of climate change and financial turmoil pose a constant threat to democracies around the world. “The walls are closing in on civic spaces,” warns United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the International Day of Democracy.

In his message marking the day, the UN chief blames the current spread of mis- and disinformation that is “poisoning public discourse, polarizing communities, and eroding trust in institutions”.

Given the damaging effect that this flood of false information can have on young people, this year's International Day of Democracy is dedicated to "Empowering the Next Generation" by focusing on the critical role of children and youngsters in ensuring democracy “today and in the future.”

Climate justice and democracy

The effects of the climate crisis on the physical environment are today impossible to ignore, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is a challenge to democracy: growing food insecurity, migration, water scarcity, and extreme weather events are driving conflict and weighing on the minds of voters.

Young people around the world have shown that they are extremely concerned about the climate crisis; in recent years hundreds of thousands of school age children, frustrated by the pace of negotiations to cut fossil fuel emissions, have taken part in large-scale marches, strikes, and protests.

Calls for climate justice have also been a feature of these demonstrations: young people realize that they are likely to suffer the consequences of an increasingly unstable climate, caused by the activities of earlier generations.

The United Nations recognizes the importance of empowering young people to take leadership roles on issues of international importance; the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth convenes the Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals, a group of 17 changemakers whose leadership is catalyzing the  achievement of the SDGs, and the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change ensures that the Secretary-General hears directly from young climate activists, who can share strategies for advancing climate action.

The UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) finances projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes, including youth.

Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the ability to elect their leaders and make decisions regarding the administration of their country. It is founded upon the principles of liberty, equality, and fairness.

The democratic system is a fragile institution. To uphold democratic principles necessitates the active participation of citizens and the commitment of leaders. Corruption, inequality, and authoritarian regimes are among the numerous hazards to democracy.

Despite these obstacles, democracy continues to be an indispensable institution for advancing peace, prosperity, and human rights. Democratic nations are more likely to be tranquil and stable, and their economic performance and human development tend to be superior.

What Is International Democracy Day’s Background?

The United Nations General Assembly established this day in 2007 through a resolution titled “Support by the United Nations system to the endeavors of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies.”

The resolution was unanimously approved, demonstrating the global commitment to democracy. It acknowledges the importance of democracy in promoting peace, prosperity, and human liberties.

The 15th of September was designated to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Democracy. The Universal Declaration of Democracy is a seminal document that establishes the fundamental principles of democracy.

In the summary, the UN notes that the resolution “recognizes the Organization’s important role in providing timely, appropriate, and coherent support to the efforts of governments to accomplish democratization in the context of their development efforts.”

SDG 16 is a global effort to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”. Strengthening the focus on democracy and the rule of law is essential to achieving SDG 16 and the implementation of the whole agenda.