By Wolfgang Ressmann

Democracy means having a voice in society, being protected by law against the arbitrariness of state and private power, and having the right to take part in elections and run for public office. It means being able to question those who govern us without fear, and knowing that our rights do not depend on their goodwill.

Democracy means respect for all members of our shared community, regardless of political conviction, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Its promise belongs equally to those who form the majority and those whose voices are too easily ignored. Disagreement is part of democratic life. Our ability to live with it, while respecting each other’s dignity, is one of democracy’s greatest strengths.

These freedoms carry responsibility: to uphold our shared rules, respect the rights of others, and recognise that our own liberty cannot be secured through someone else’s exclusion. That responsibility extends to how we speak, what we share, and how we respond when others face discrimination, intimidation or violence.

On International Day of Democracy, we should remember that democratic institutions need people who participate, independent journalists who investigate, and citizens who insist on accountability. Freedom becomes vulnerable when we take it for granted or assume that someone else will defend it.

Our responsibility also reaches beyond national borders. Solidarity with the people of Ukraine, defending their freedom against Russian aggression, reflects the conviction that every society has the right to determine its own future.

Ultimately, democracy is the gift of being free to express the full spectrum of human potential. We honour that gift by protecting it, sharing its possibilities, and ensuring that it remains available to all.

The International Day of Democracy is a reminder of a responsibility we carry throughout the year. Every day is democracy day – through our choices, our participation and our solidarity with others.