This year we are celebrating Democracy Day under the shadow of the Ukraine War, an invasion that is a direct assault on fundamental principles of democracy—the right to self-determination, and the right to choose one’s destiny through free and fair elections. This is also a time when International IDEA’s Global State of Democracy Report highlights the expanding threats of authoritarianism, political polarization and disinformation. These are tough times for democracy. Yet, there are also many stories of hope and democratic resilience around the world. These stories deserve to be told. On this day, let’s take time to celebrate the many millions of people like her who insist and fight for their right to shape their own future – in Ukraine and everywhere else.
