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On 15 September during the celebration of the International Day of Democracy at the United Nations, Lithuania’s Presidency of the Community of Democracies released a statement, which calls on all countries of the world to support the democracy-building process consistently and to allow an active civil society to function freely.

“The Freedom of expression and access to information remain the cornerstones to the democracy-building processes. Therefore the freedom of expression and the access to information deserve more focused attention and action by all the UN system particularly through the Human Rights Council,” the statement says.

The statement draws special attention to women and their voice in the democracy-building process.

“Democratic participation is an essential means by which women’s interests can be represented and receive a sustainable policy response. It enables societies to unlock the enormous creative, entrepreneurial and productive potential of women, whose increased participation at all levels of democratic governance enhances the capacity of public decision-making to better respond to citizens’ needs that may have been neglected in the past,” the statement reads.

The Community of Democracies encourages all member states to develop and strengthen national programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy. The statement also urges member states and relevant international bodies to integrate civic and democracy education and learning, alongside with human rights education in education curricula and programmes, and to develop and implement activities aimed at promoting good governance, sound administration, democratic values, and the strengthening of political institutions and civil society organizations.

In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe September 15th as the International Day of Democracy. The UN invites member states, regional, international and non-governmental organizations to celebrate this day each year. On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, Lithuania has organized events in Vilnius, Washington, D.C. and New York.

On 15 September, a conference of the Parliamentary Forum of the Community of Democracies took place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. During the event, a teleconference bridge will join the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament. Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis and President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek, who were at that moment in Brussels, welcomed the participants of the conference.

In Vilnius, the United Nations Internet Governance Forum was held at the Exhibition and Convention Centre LITEXPO on 15 September. During the forum, a discussion on the importance of the Internet for democracy was organized at the initiative of Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the discussion entitled “Internet – an instrument to foster democracy”, high-ranking politicians, experts, academicians and NGO representatives from around the world discussed opportunities that are offered by the Internet to strengthen democratic societies and threats to democratic countries that arise due to the usage of the Internet. Lithuania’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Evaldas Ignatavičius led the discussion.

On 23 September at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Community of Democracies in partnership with the Council of Women World Leaders is organizing a round table discussion entitled “Women as a Critical Force in Democratic Governance.”

Lithuania chairs the Community of Democracies in 2009-2011. For more information on the Lithuania’s Presidency, the organization’s activities to read the statement please click here.