Democracy crucial for better living: U.N.

United Nations, Sept 16 (PTI) Democracy is crucial for
bettering the lives of people worldwide, U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said here marking the first-ever
United Nations International Day of Democracy.

Addressing the Assembly Monday, Ban said that
democracy has its detractors, who believe that it has failed
to help people or that it is propelled by interfering foreign
influences.

"This makes it all the more essential that we always
explain the rationale of our mission: that experience has
taught us, time and again, that democracy is essential to
achieving our fundamental goals of peace, human rights and
development," Ban said.

Acknowledging that the targets cannot be imposed from
outside, the Secretary-General said that the countries, backed
by their nationals, must take ownership.

"Although the word democracy does not appear in our
Charter, the U.N. does more than any other single organisation
to promote and strengthen democratic institutions and
practices around the world," he told the meeting.

Characterising democracy as a "universal" value,
outgoing President Srgjan Kerim, remembering his own
experiences of living under non-democratic and democratic
systems said, "I have experienced the difference between being
able to realise one's individual initiative, and in
circumstances that limit rights and opportunities."

Calling for a new culture of international relations
that empowers the individual and boosts cooperation among
Member States and civil society, he said, "the new system
should also embed democracy as an international principle, and
stand up for the equal and fair representation of all States,
as well as promoting their compliance with international law."
PTI DS