Democracy, rule by the people, was first practiced in Greece in the sixth century BC and has been evolving as a system of government ever since. Throughout history, democracies have flourished, been threatened or replaced by authoritarian rule only to re-emerge in societies all over the world today.

The involvement of the people in the public affairs of their countries is more likely than any other form of government to ensure basic freedoms and equality, meet the needs of everyone and preserve or restore peace. The ultimate goal of democracy is to preserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of the individual, to achieve social justice, foster the economic and social development of the community, strengthen the cohesion of society and build a favorable environment for international peace.

Democracy, development and human rights are therefore interdependent. In a democracy, human rights are promoted and protected so that we all, no matter what our race, gender, personal belief or style of life may be, can participate in formulating the laws and policies to which we are subject.

These human rights include the right to express ourselves freely, to associate freely with others, and to choose our representatives in free and fair elections. Democracy ascertains, people's participation an active role in political and civic life. One expresses his will through regular free and fair elections.

Voting in a democracy must be universal, equal and secret so that each of us can choose our representatives freely. Education and vibrant communications media are vital to be able to make an informed choice. But our role as active citizens does not end after we cast our ballots; we must be continually engaged in public affairs so that the government can be aware of and respond to our needs.

In a democracy, where all citizens are respected as equals, women have as important a role to play as men. While women make up just over half of the world's population, fewer than one in five members of parliament around the world are women. Societies are more equitable and democracy is stronger when women participate in all aspects of political life.

Since the end of Cold War, many countries across the globe have chosen democracy as the form of government. Today, most of the world's powerful countries, international organizations and political science experts see democracy as a natural choice in comparison to dictatorship.

September 15, each year is observed as "International Day of Democracy" per resolution of UN General Assembly. The UN encourages Governments on this very day, to devise national programs devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy. The International Day of Democracy was first celebrated in 2008.

The UN general assembly recognized that the year 2008 marked the 20th anniversary of the first International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, which gave people a chance to focus on promoting and consolidating democracy worldwide.

The theme "democracy education" selected for this year is essential for promotion of democratic values to all citizens in all nations to understand their rights and responsibilities, especially in countries that have recently transitioned to more democratic societies.

The UN strives to achieve its goals of peace, human rights and development, as human rights and the rule of law are best protected in democratic societies. Democracy is the product of a strong, active and vocal civil society.

Democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives. 
After Taliban's regime toppled, Afghanistan was put on the way to democracy, the established and wide practiced system of government. The underlined fault remains with delayed understanding of preferential type be applied, having understood the elongated concerns and grievances of people in general and ruling elite in particular.

The centralized government brought forth, is perceived as continuation of denied political participation by many stake holder. The Afghan population currently has few means of expressing dissent regarding policies carried out by the international community and the government, which operates on a highly centralized patronage model in which power and resources are channeled through personal and political allies.

The system lacks the connection, rules, and checks and balances necessary to make leaders truly accountable to the domestic population, which invites corruption, rent-seeking, and a hemorrhaging of domestic legitimacy. Local governmental bodies are the appropriate places for representing Afghans and responding to their needs, but these currently suffer from a lack of capacity, confusion over their roles and authorities, and little legitimacy.

Participatory democracy associate with good governance program supports the establishment of a broadly accepted national government that promotes national unity and effectively serves the needs of the Afghan people. The international organizations must help developing the capacity of key institutions including the Independent Electoral Commission, the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and target ministries and institutions of the executive branch such as the Independent Directorate for Local Governance, and the Civil Service Commission. They should also provide training to Afghan civil society organizations to advocate for society-led reforms.

Incorporating the promotion of equality and dignity through the system of equal value for the vote of all individuals regardless of their sex, religion, language, economic or social status in democracy ensures political justice which is the foundation of social and economic justice, dignity of the individual and national cohesion.

Free and impartial election is the foundation stone of fostering democracy to boost the confidence of individuals and communities in the system of peaceful transfer of power, rule of law, power sharing, respect for the collective will of people and dialogue and negotiations as the only means to resolve conflicts and lingering national issues. In marking this year's International Day of Democracy, let us use all our creativity to advance this mission.

Let us work to bring democracy education to all, and in particular, to those societies in transition that need it most. Every year we look back on yet another year of remarkable events in the story of democracy, a story that continues to be written by people who yearn for dignity and human rights, for an end to corruption, for glorious future, for jobs, justice and a fair share of political power and stability, the people of Afghanistan waiting for ages. Their story is just beginning, having comprehended that democracies are not born overnight, nor built in a year, or by holding one or two elections. They require sustained and thorough work.