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With 3.7 billion people getting to vote this year, the stakes have never been higher. is working before, during and after elections to strengthen governance systems and ensure far beyond the ballot box.

Fighting corruption is vital to the ’s mission to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity on a livable planet. Here are it is doing it.

The UN supports democracy by promoting human rights, development, and peace and security. In the 79 years since the UN Charter was signed, the UN has done more to support democracy around the world than any other global organization. The UN promotes good governance, monitors elections, supports civil society to strengthen democratic institutions and accountability, ensures self-determination in decolonized countries, and assists in the drafting of new constitutions in post-conflict nations. Find out more in Global Issues: Democracy

Parliamentary diplomacy is a way to build relationships and promote cooperation between national parliaments. Parliamentarians participate in inter-parliamentary organizations, bilateral exchanges, and other parliamentary diplomacy initiatives. In this way they can represent their countries' interests, foster dialogue and cooperation with counterparts from other nations, and work towards building consensus on international issues. The international Day of Parliamentarism, 30 June, is also the anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the global organization of parliaments.

“I think it’s a false premise that human rights are dead. To some extent, I think its being promulgated by naysayers and people who have given up on the framework,” said Eleanor Kennedy, senior policy expert from the Open Society Foundation (OSF) in this  by .

Last year, OSF put out “Can Democracy Deliver?” a first of its kind look at attitudes and opinions toward all aspects of democracy and human rights. Kennedy said the report brought up many surprising and challenging attitudes regarding human rights and its mechanisms, including if current human rights frameworks actually were delivering on their promises.

But one idea that came through loud and clear in the report, Kennedy stressed, was that the rumours of the demise of human rights has been greatly exaggerated.

The absence of justice directly fuels conflict. Lack of justice, be it actual or perceived, causes resentment and conflict at both the individual and societal levels. United Nations peace operations that provide support to national justice and security institutions are governed by UN Security Council resolutions. The overall objective remains to strengthen national capacities; extend the authority of the State; and enhance the effectiveness and inclusiveness of justice and security institutions as well as confidence in those institutions, with a view to preventing violence, fighting impunity and sustaining peace. 

Corruption not only follows conflict but is also frequently one of its root causes. Corruption also undermines human development and increases inequality. It corrodes rule of law and destroys public trust in governments and leaders. The 2022 International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December) seeks to highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development. At its core is the notion that tackling corruption is the right and responsibility of everyone, and that only through cooperation can we overcome the negative impact of this crime.

“I got such a feeling of outrage, healthy outrage, proactive outrage, which I still feel now.”

Staffan de Mistura has dedicated his life to making a difference. Now the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, he spent a large part of his 48-year career at the UN striving for an end to some of the most intractable conflicts of modern times.  

“I have no regrets. I would have never chosen another type of job. I think you can [make a difference] even in the worst-case scenario - always.”

From Syria and Afghanistan to Sudan and Iraq, the seasoned diplomat is known for bringing creative thinking to the negotiating table even when others have lost hope. In this episode of Awake at Night with Melissa Fleming, Staffan de Mistura reflects on harnessing constructive outrage as a driving force, on his determination in the face of despair, and why at 75, he isn’t ready to retire just yet.

This year, the International Day of Democracy (15 September) focuses on the importance of media freedom to democracy, peace, and delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals. Free, independent and pluralistic media, able to keep the public informed on matters of public interest, is a key ingredient to democracy. It enables the public to make informed decisions and hold governments to account. Increasingly, journalists around the world face limits to their ability to operate freely – with a grave impact on human rights, democracy and development.

is a game that introduces players to behavioral science tactics and techniques that are relevant to peace and security questions. It encourages using behavioral science to strengthen resilience against disinformation and political manipulation. Sweet Victory was developed by the .

We face a global crisis of trust. COVID-19 has caused the greatest ever recorded reversal in human development. It has also compounded the crises that we already face: planet threatening climate change, environmental degradation, poverty and deepening inequalities. The pandemic also underscored how vital effective political leadership is in all aspects of our lives. It has never been more important to have political processes and institutions that we can trust to act in our best interests. A key facet of  is reimagining governance.

Bringing public attention to parliaments is particularly important at this critical time for democracy when people are losing trust in political institutions and democracy itself is facing challenges from populist and nationalist movements. If democracy is to thrive, then parliaments need to be strong, transparent, accountable, and representative. The International Day of Parliamentarism is a time to review parliaments’ progress to be more representative and move with the times, through self-assessments, by working to include more women and young MPs, and by adapting to new technologies.

United Nations Public Service Day (23 June) celebrates the value and virtue of public service to the community, including its contribution to the development process. The Day recognizes the work of public servants and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector. A virtual event, themed “Building back better from COVID-19: Enhancing innovative partnerships to meet the Sustainable Development Goals,” will be held on the 22 June. This year’s UN Public Service Award winners will also be announced during the online event. Follow the discussions on .

When we vote, we're not just choosing a leader, a lawmaker, our local councillor or between two opposite policies. We're shaping the policies that have real impact in our lives. But, who should ensure that citizens receive accurate information? The media, political parties and electoral regulators have a role to play. Because when information is accurate, extensive and available, our elections remain free and fair, and democracy thrives. Learn more about how protects freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.

With public resources under huge strain as countries respond to and recover from the pandemic, a renewed focus on tackling corruption in public procurement couldn’t be more urgent.