Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

Background

In 2007, the UN Secretary-General called for 15 September to be celebrated as the International Day of Democracy, a day 'meant both to celebrate democracy and to serve as a reminder that the need to promote and protect democracy is as urgent now as ever'.*

In 2009, the first International Day of Democracy was held in the Netherlands. A mixed company attended the ceremony where Heroes of Democracy were honoured for their dedication to building bridges in society. Heroes of Democracy from the Molucca Islands to Kenya were rewarded for their contribution to the democratic body of ideas with a cash prize and a Democracy Ribbon, presented by Frits Huffnagel, Alderman in The Hague.

Local and National Heroes

The Democracy Ribbons are conferred on four levels: local, national, European and international. At the local level Stichting Kantara was honoured for the work that it does to stimulate citizen participation in De Baarsjes, a neighbourhood in Amsterdam. In 2009 their ‘Kamervragen’ and ‘Vrij uit’ projects, among others, brought the work of parliament closer to the local community and the foundation stimulated discussion on freedom of speech.

Farida Pattisahusiwa-van Bommel, Chair of Stichting Vrouwen voor Vrede op de Molukken, (a women’s foundation for peace on the Moluccan Islands) received the Democracy Ribbon for establishing inter-religious dialogue in the Moluccas. This work spans a bridge between the democratic values in the Netherlands, where Farida Pattisahusiwa lives, and the country where she was born, where mutual trust needs a stimulus. By enabling women with differing backgrounds to talk to each other, she prepares a path for advancing peace in the Moluccas and she deserves this honour.

European and International Heroes

At the European level, Jan Marinus Wiersma received the award. For years, most notably as a member of the European Parliament but also outside it, he has devoted himself to promoting democracy in eastern European countries following the revolutions twenty years ago. Wiersma now also focuses on and draws attention to Belarus, the last dictatorship on the continent. His chairmanship of SPOLU International, dedicated to improving the rights of Roma minorities in European member states, demonstrates his ceaseless engagement with democratic values.

Njeri Kabeberi was the fourth to receive the Democracy Ribbon. She received the prize for her work in Kenya, most notably after the conflicts that arose following the 2007/2008 elections. She succeeded in bringing various parties together there and building bridges for the advancement of democracy in Kenya.

Get involved

The organising parties wish to celebrate the Day of Democracy again in 2010 and have also urged other organisations to join in. In the meantime, preparations are well under way for a meeting of experts and a public event as a continuation of the presentation of the Democracy Ribbons. On 15 September 2010 democracy will once again be the subject of discussion in a day of celebration that, hopefully, will become a worthy tradition. Visit the Democracy Day 2010 website to nominate your Hero of Democracy.

Return to the NIMD Magazine 2010 Table of Contents.

*(UN Resolution A/RES/62/7).