United Nations International Day of Democracy - 15 September

In 2007, the United Nations Genereral Assembly designated 15 Seotember as International Day of Democracy, with a view to promoting and upholding the principles of democracy..

Many of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 16 are geared towards protecting democratic institutions, in particular::

  • 16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

  • 16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms

  • 16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

  • 16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels

  • 16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements



Options for public investment in social housing

Zoom event: 4pm - 6pm, 20 September 2024

The right to housing is a fundamental democratic freedom and it is difficult to vote in many countries, including the UK, without a permanent address. The depression and sense of hopelessness that often results from insecure and inadequate housing makes homeless people less likely to participate in the democratic process. In this interactive session, we will investigate whether alternative options for public investment might tackle the UK housing shortage more effectively than the current models. The main speaker will be Dr Suzanne Muna, Secretary of the Unite Union's Social Housing Action Campaign.  Further details of the programme and other speakers to follow.

Petition for Parliamentary debate on housing service charges

We support the petition SHAC has placed on the government website calling for legislation to end the abuse of service charges by some landlords who systematically overcharge tenants and residents.

If you think Parliament should debate this important issue, please sign the petition.

UN International Day of Democracy, 15 September 2020
Zoom event:  from 4.00pm to 6.00pm (British summer time)

With the Muslim Professionals Forum - London, we held a Zoom event to mark the UN International Day of Democracy: Promoting democratic principles and values for equality, respect, and peace through appropriate action.
Programme for International Day of Democracy 2020.pdf

View message from Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Speakers

Dr David Cheesman: former Head of Policy and Research at the Housing Corporation, former Visiting Professor of Society and Development at Sheffield Hallam University, author of Landlord Power and Rural Indebtedness in Colonial Sind among other publications: Covid-9 and democracy
D Cheesman - Covid-19 and democracy 15 Sept 2020.pdf

Shaista Khan: Marketing Professional, International SDG Consultant-Life Coach-Communications Specialist: Women's empowerment
S Khan - Women's empowerment 15 Sept 2020.pdf

Cllr. Khaled Noor Barrister-at-Law (N/P), Solicitor - Chair of MPF, Councillor, London Borough of Redbridge: Democracy in respect of Mulsim participation and representation in the UK
K Noor Muslim participation 15 Sept 2020.pdf

Dr Helen Connolly: Senior Lecturer in Sociology & Course Coordinator for MA in Human Rights and Social Enterprise, University of Bedfordshire, Chair of Remembering Srebrenica Board for East of England: Refugees in the pandemic
Luton News Faith Matters Day of Democracy 2020.pdf

UNA Luton Literary Awards at Centre for Youth and Community Development, Luton

14 June 2015

To celebrate the achievements of three young authors, published for the first time: Talal Al Zaber, Kaya Hussain and Ihsanul Haque