"Democracy"
is one of the most important principles for a better world.
In its truest sense, a democracy is a community in which all
members have an equal say in the running of that community.
Unfortunately in reality, democratic societies have fallen short
of this ideal. Nevertheless, because of its very nature, once
a democracy is established, its citizens can work together to
make their society more and more democratic, if they choose
to do so.
The
Global Youth Democracy Campaign is an annual opportunity for
youth to observe October 18 as the World Youth Day for Democracy.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the positive contributions
youth are making to promote democracy around the world and to
mobilize youth to participate in democracy-building discussions,
debates, rallies and educational campaigns about the importance
of democratic principles like human rights and civic participation.
In
1996 a coalition of groups in Toronto and Vancouver organized
a Media Democracy Day to challenge the monopolization of media
outlets by a few corporations. Previously, organizations had
organized a Media Democracy Day in Britain on October 18, commemorating
the 1922 establishment of the BBC (British Broadcasting Company).
By 2002, Media Democracy Day was celebrated in cities
throughout the world.
Currently
there is an international campaign to urge the United Nations
to declare October 18 as Global Democracy Day -- the
official international day for democracy (GlobalDemocracyDay.net)
In
the United States there is also a grassroots movement to have
the first Tuesday in November - Election Day - declared a federal
and state holiday. Many countries help promote democracy by
making election day a holiday to make it easier for people to
vote and to remind us about this important civil right and duty.
