UNDP Kuwait celebrates International Day for Democracy

UN Development Program (UNDP Kuwait) and Kuwait Graduate Society co-organized a symposium on democratic governance marking the 6th International Day for Democracy being celebrated globally on Sunday under the slogan of "Strengthening Voices for Democracy." The event, hosted by Kuwait Graduate Society, included a round-table discussion on "the Role of SCOs (the civil society organizations) in Enhancing Citizens' Democratic Political Participation." Addressing the gathering Dr. Mobasher Sheikh, resident representative (RR) of UNDP Kuwait, said democracy was one of the universal and indivisible core values and principles of the United Nations. "Democracy is based on the freely expressed will of people and closely linked to the rule of law and exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms," he noted. The UN activities in support of democracy and governance are implemented through the specialized UN agencies such as UNDP, the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Sheikh pointed out. On his part, Deputy Chairman of Kuwait Graduate Society Ibrahim Al-Mulaifi said: "democracy goes beyond voting to elect parliaments and municipal councils to entail a process of social behavior including individuals and institutions alike." He appreciated the UNDP role in promoting democratic governance in Kuwait and materializing the CSOs role in democratization. Meanwhile, Mubarak Al-Adwani, UNDP-Kuwait Assistant RR, highlighted the role of 'diwaniyas' (traditional meeting places) in advocating for democracy in Kuwait. Among the other speakers at the discussion were Dr. Ali Al-Zoubi, of the Social Science Dept. of Kuwait University; CEDAW Expert and Human Line Organization board member Esraa Al-Amiri. On November 2007, the UN General Assembly proclaimed September 15 as the International Day of Democracy. This day provides an opportunity to highlight the centrality of this universal core value and to review the state of democracy in the world.