"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.