Demonstrating the Value of Democracy
Three ways USAID is translating global democratic commitments into meaningful results
USAID knows that free and democratic societies have healthier citizens, less violent conflict, and more prosperous communities — and through our democratic assistance, we aim to demonstrate the value of democracy and how it can deliver for all citizens.
The United States and fellow supporters of democracy find ourselves at a critical moment. For 16 years global freedom has been on the decline — crackdowns on basic rights, authoritarian leaders expanding their power, and the rise of transnational corruption. Today, the majority of the world’s populations are ruled by autocratic governments.
Against this backdrop, the push for global democratic renewal takes on new urgency, commitment, and hope.
In President Biden’s first-ever Summit for Democracy in December 2021, the United States called on the free world to transform what it means to stand for our values on the global stage. Over 100 world leaders seized this opportunity to address their domestic democratic challenges and made approximately 750 commitments to counter authoritarianism, combat corruption, and promote respect for human rights.
In the lead up to the second Summit for Democracy scheduled for next year, read on to learn three ways that USAID is right now engaged in a Year of Action to translate commitments into meaningful results.
Promoting Country Commitments to Democratic Renewal
The first Summit for Democracy provided a platform for leaders to announce both individual and collective commitments, reforms, and initiatives that defend democracy and human rights at home and abroad. This included submitting commitments on how they planned to take concrete action to deliver democratic progress for their citizens as well as how they would bolster democratic reforms.
During this Year of Action, various stakeholders, including civil society, are working to support and hold governments to account for these promises and also to push for them to be clear, actionable, and achievable.
For example, Nigeria President Buhari stated during the Summit that his country continues to face the challenge of insecurity which poses a threat to the country’s democracy. He committed to calling on global partners to support efforts tackling insurgency and terrorism.
USAID is responding by supporting efforts to reduce insecurity by promoting social cohesion and providing communities with the tools to recognize and respond to potential violent threats before they arise. According to an Accountability Lab Nigeria survey, 66.5% of respondents in Nigeria agree that Buhari has made progress on this commitment since the Summit. At the second Summit, participants will showcase their efforts and achievements.
Advancing Inclusive Democracy
With 50% of the world’s population under 30, the vitality of democracy is dependent on young people more than ever before. However, younger generations have become increasingly dissatisfied with democracy and what it has delivered, and with the lack of resources and networks to make their voice heard.
To rejuvenate pluralistic democracy, it is essential that young people are given the opportunity to meaningfully participate in all aspects of civil and political life.
As part of the Year of Action the United States and partners are advancing several multi-stakeholder platforms called Democracy Cohorts. Cohorts addressing issues such as technology for democracy, youth, financial transparency and integrity, gender equality, information integrity, and deliberative democracy, have already launched bringing together governments to demonstrate political will toward progress on Summit commitments.
On Sept. 15 — International Day of Democracy — the European Commission (EC) and the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) launched the Cohort for Youth Political and Civil Engagement, which will promote the development and implementation of Summit commitments on meaningful youth participation and representation. Bringing together activists globally, alongside government representatives, multilateral organizations, and new and established civil society organizations, USAID supports the EC and EPD in their efforts to ensure youth and their voices are heard throughout the YOA and beyond.
The intended purpose of cohorts is to galvanize concrete action by providing inclusive opportunities for meaningful dialogue and collaboration among civil society, the private sector, and other partners and decision makers.
Governments Delivering Democracy Daily
During the first Summit, USAID convened 12 mayors from around the world to highlight the importance of cities and subnational governments to the renewal of democracy worldwide. As the mayors pointed out, every day they address issues directly affecting the lives of their communities, from water service and business development to promoting social equity and combating corruption. The mayors emphasized the importance of bringing people together while demonstrating empathy, the proper use of inclusive language, and scrupulous fairness in the treatment of their residents.
“We’ve facilitated conversations and connections among mayors around the globe — from Mesa, Arizona, to Mannheim, Germany — and other leaders who are on the frontlines of demonstrating the power of democracy through local governments,” said President Biden in his concluding remarks at the Summit.
These mayors also made their own commitments to democratic reform. Another outcome of the Summit mayors’ event is the Global Declaration of Mayors for Democracy. Developed by USAID partners and shaped by a variety of mayors, we launched the Declaration in June with the support of 51 mayors, and held a special session at the 2022 World Urban Forum in Katowice, Poland to build support for it globally.
In addition, the Summit for Democracy International Visitor Leadership Program, led by the Department of State and USAID, brought mayors and municipal leaders from more than a dozen countries together in the United States in June and July. The purpose of this exchange is to support mayors and municipal leaders’ planning for democratic reform, connect the participating city leaders with their counterparts in U.S. cities, and find new ways to strengthen democracy by expanding their professional skills, sharing ideas, and networking.
“Democracy is a relatively new concept for our community,” said Christopher Pappas, mayor of uMngeni Municipality, South Africa, who visited the United States in June. “Twenty-seven years after colonialism and apartheid, people still fear government and change. Our aim is to build confidence in the democratic institutions as a vehicle for change.”
USAID and its Summit for Democracy partners celebrate the progress made during the Year of Action and we look forward to supporting global efforts to ensure that democracy delivers for citizens around the world.
About the Author
Jessica Benton Cooney is the Senior Communications and Outreach Specialist for USAID’s Center for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance.
