🆕 174 countries. 155 indicators. Data going back to 1975. The Global State of Democracy Report 2026 is an excellent resource for understanding where democracy stands today, and how it intersects with a world increasingly shaped by conflict. #GSoD2026 #DemocraticResilience Explore findings🔗 idea.int/publications/catalo…

Who funds politics matters. And so does who is watching. We’re glad to be joining @UNODC and @IFES1987 in this new global initiative to help countries strengthen transparency, oversight and integrity in political finance, with support from Norway. A practical partnership to turn shared commitments into stronger systems. 👇

Meet Dr. Gabrielle Bardall, who will present findings from the research Coordinating for Peace: Electoral Management Bodies and Security Forces in West African Elections. Drawing on case studies from Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, the research examines electoral security coordination and approaches to strengthening institutional coordination for peaceful, inclusive and credible elections. #CoordinatingForPeace #ElectoralSecurity #WestAfrica

Citizen-led election observation is returning to Fiji for the first time since 2006. 7️⃣ civil society organizations have joined forces to establish Fiji’s new Citizens’ Observer Group, creating a locally led mechanism for independent #ElectionObservation. The group brings together Caritas Fiji, @Dialogue_FJ, @femlinkpacific, Fiji Women's Rights Movement, @PCPFiji, Social Empowerment and Education Programme (SEEP) and Transparency and Integrity Fiji. As International IDEA’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Leena Rikkilä Tamang, says: “The signing of this memorandum of understanding marks an important milestone in a longer-term process of building credible and sustainable domestic election observation capacity in Fiji.” We will support the group with technical advice, training and lessons from election observation experiences in other countries. The Citizens’ Observer Group itself will remain locally led and independently determine its activities, findings and public reporting. And we’ll keep bringing you this story as it develops, with more from the people and organizations shaping citizen-led election observation in Fiji. 📸: @FijiOneNews 🔗 Read more: idea.int/news/citizen-led-gr…

What happens to democracy when geopolitical competition intensifies, conflicts become increasingly internationalized and the multilateral system itself is under strain? 📣 TODAY in New York, during #UNGA81 High-Level Week, International IDEA, @HC4Democracy and @OpenSocietyAfr are convening a high-level discussion on: “Geopolitics, Multilateralism, and Democratic Futures: Implications and Evidence from the Horn of Africa.” International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora will offer remarks, followed by a panel moderated by Zaid Al-Ali, with: 🔹 Michael Woldemariam, Horn Center for Democracy 🔹 Bitania Tadesse, International Peace Institute 🔹 Abebe Muluneh, IGAD Secretariat 🎟️ Registration is still OPEN. See the card for time and venue details, and register here: ow.ly/JBNq50ZQXUi

🆕 Who funds politics matters: A new global initiative scaling up anti-corruption action in political finance @UNODC, International IDEA and @IFES1987 are joining forces in a new global initiative to help countries implement UNCAC Resolution 11/7 and strengthen #PoliticalFinance transparency and integrity. With support from the Government of Norway, @noradno & @NorwayMFA, the partnership brings together complementary expertise in anti-corruption and political finance, combining technical assistance with cooperation at global, regional and national levels. The goal is to turn international commitments into practical reforms that strengthen transparency, accountability and democratic institutions. And the partnership can grow. Other donors are invited to join forces and help expand the initiative. 🔗 Read more: idea.int/news/unodc-internat…

Join us on 30 September to unpack how electoral authorities and security forces can work together to support peaceful, trusted elections in West Africa. More info + registration in the repost ⤵️

This year’s Global State of Democracy report puts a particular spotlight on the relationship between democracy, conflict and security. In 2025, the world recorded 65 violent conflicts, including 8 interstate conflicts, the highest numbers in the Uppsala University's Conflict Data Program (UCDP) series since 1946. The relationship is complex, but the analysis finds that weaker and declining democracies can be more exposed to violent conflict. One of the report’s recommendations is that governments should invest in democracy support abroad as a core pillar of their national security strategies. Twenty-five years after 9/11 reshaped the relationship between national security and democracy support, GSoD 2026 asks us to look again at that connection. ⤵️ Swipe through for a short summary, including what stood out most to Alexander Hudson, Senior Adviser, Democracy Assessment. Deep dive into the full Global State of Democracy 2026 report here: idea.int/publications/catalo…

For Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh, #LandRights are also about having a voice in democracy. A new International IDEA policy brief looks at barriers to participation, representation and self-determination. And what can strengthen democratic inclusion. Developed with @aippnet and authored by Toni Chiran. Read the brief: doi.org/10.31752/47258

The strains on democracy and multilateralism are increasingly intertwined. So are the solutions. Today marks an important milestone for the Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism, with the launch of its new report on how multilateral cooperation can better support democratic renewal. International IDEA’s Secretary-General, Kevin Casas-Zamora, serves as Vice-Chair of the Commission, and International IDEA led its Working Group on Revitalizing Support for Democracy within the United Nations System. We are proud to have contributed to this work alongside @ClubdeMadrid, @opengovpart and @eudemocracyhub with support from the Ford Foundation, @stiftungstweet and @SwissMFA @stiftungstweet. #UNGA81

As part of India’s 2026 Chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA, the ‘Reimagining Democracy for the Future: Democracy in 2050 Design Hub’ commenced today at the IIIDEM Campus. Building on earlier deliberations on the vision for democracy in 2050, the Design Hub takes the conversation from vision to strategy, towards a future-ready democracy and an agenda for institutional design. Speaking at the inaugural session, Director General, IIIDEM, Shri Rakesh Verma, emphasised that the Design Hub is a practitioner-led exercise focused not only on democratic institutions and processes, but also on what democracy delivers for citizens. He highlighted the importance of a Global South perspective and context-sensitive approaches that enable countries to adapt strategies to their own institutional and societal realities. Day 1 brought together Electoral Management Bodies, Offices of Chief Electoral Officers, academic institutions and global think tanks to deliberate on four interconnected pillars of Democracy in 2050 — Inclusion, Peace, Resilience and Sustainable Development. Discussions focused on refining evidence-based strategies, identifying implementation pathways and strengthening approaches that can be adapted and scaled across contexts. @Int_IDEA #AIGovernance #ElectionManagement #AIandElections #ElectoralIntegrity #InternationalLearning

As Day 2 advances towards its curtain call, the ‘Reimagining Democracy for the Future: Democracy in 2050 Design Hub’ turns to another essential pillar of future-ready democracies — sustainable development. The Session 5 will explore ‘Democracy Delivering on SDGs: Key Strategies’ under the thematic priority of ‘Democracy in 2050’ as part of India’s 2026 Chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA. Dr. Kritika Mathur, Assistant Professor, IIIDEM, will moderate the session, with Dr. Kirit Shantilal Parikh, Chairman, Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe) and Former Member, Planning Commission, Government of India; Prof. Sandhya S. Iyer, School of Development Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences; and Juliane Müller, Associate Programme Officer, International IDEA, joining the discussion. The session will examine accountability and transparency, inclusive participation, rule of law and rights protection, evidence-based decision-making, long-term planning, and equitable growth as essential pillars of democratic governance for sustainable development. @Int_IDEA #Democracy2050 #SustainableDevelopment #DemocraticGovernance #InclusiveDevelopment

International IDEA is at #UNGA81 High-Level Week in New York. Democracy sits at the heart of the UN’s work on peace and security, development and human rights. And as challenges to democracy increasingly cross borders, from conflict and geopolitical fragmentation to shrinking civic space and rapid technological change, effective multilateral cooperation matters more than ever. From 21–25 September, International IDEA's Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora and UN Permanent Observer Annika Silva-Leander, will bring that perspective to UNGA through a programme of high-level events, dialogues and meetings. Full programme here ⤵️ idea.int/news/international-…

🌱What does it take to open up leadership to more people? At #IDDBrussels, grassroots voices from Uganda, Nigeria & Colombia explored the barriers facing women and young people, and what it takes to make participation more inclusive. “We need to be in digital spaces where young people are, listen to them, and hear what they need.” - Camila Gil. #RenewingDemocracy #WYDE

Who will lead the United Nations next, and how will they respond to the global challenges facing democracy and human rights? The selection of the next UN Secretary-General comes at a consequential moment. The multilateral system is under growing pressure, while democracy worldwide faces democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, polarization and mounting pressure on electoral and constitutional institutions. It could also mark a historic first: a woman leading the United Nations. On 23 September in New York, International IDEA, @ClubdeMadrid and the @OpenSociety will bring together candidates for UN Secretary-General for a direct conversation about their visions for protecting democracy, democratic values and human rights, and the role the UN can play in doing so. Pedro Abramovay, Vice President at Open Society Foundations, and International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora will give the opening remarks. Moderated by @CNN journalist @LarryMadowo, the dialogue offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to lead the United Nations at a defining moment for both democracy and multilateralism. 📍 Open Society Foundations, 101 Park Avenue, New York 📅 23 September 2026 ⏰ 9:00–10:00 AM The event is open to the public and in person only. If you’re in New York during #UNGA81, register now to join the conversation. Places are limited, so please also share the invitation with anyone in your networks who may be interested. REGISTER NOW ⤵️ forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/…

Can democracy be both a core value and a strategic asset? At @IDDBrussels, discussions explored how democratic governance can strengthen security, resilience and international partnerships, while delivering for citizens and building trust. #RenewingDemocracy # IDDBrussels

On 23 September, our Asia and the Pacific team, together with the @Anfrel, will launch a new framework for citizen monitoring of political and campaign finance in Ulaanbaatar. A practical 🆕 resource exploring how citizens and civil society can help strengthen transparency and accountability around #MoneyInPolitics. We will be sharing more next week. In the meantime, find the details from our partners at ANFREL below. 👇