OSCE Mission to Serbia marks tenth anniversary of the International Day of Democracy
BELGRADE, 15 September 2017 – On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the International Day of Democracy, the OSCE Mission to Serbia, in partnership with the CSO Centre for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA) and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia organized a forum on democracy and citizens’ participation held today at the Parliament in Belgrade.
The aim of the conference was to highlight the importance of parliamentary openness and transparency in Serbia and the region, as well as the benefits of parliamentary involvement in the global “Open Government Partnership” platform, an initiative for co-operation between CSOs and state institutions.
“Democracy, as a system of government in which citizens exercise power directly or through their elected representatives, is like a tree: it requires regular watering and attention,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Andrea Orizio. “The main pillar of participatory democracy is the Parliament. By organizing today’s Forum, the Parliament of Serbia will join dozens of parliamentarians around the world in highlighting core democratic values such as citizens’ participation, transparency, inclusive decision making and accountability of elected representatives.”
Participants in the Forum included parliamentarians, and civil society representatives from Serbia, as well as parliamentary Secretary Generals from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
The OSCE Mission to Serbia remains committed to working with the Serbian government, media and civil society to further promote the values of freedom, respect for human rights and the essential principle of holding periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage.
The International Day of Democracy was established ten years ago by the UN with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy.