International IDEA is celebrating its 30th anniversary at a challenging time. Founded in Stockholm in 1995 with the aim of promoting democracy worldwide, the organisation and its 35 member states are now having to acknowledge the increasing pressure democratic institutions face as authoritarian systems gain in influence. «The pressure on democracy is growing, amidst digital threats, dwindling freedom for citizens and declining trust in institutions,» said Adrian Junker, the current chair of International IDEA. Mr Junker, who is also Switzerland's ambassador to Sweden, believes that International IDEA's response must be targeted and not watered down. The focus, he said, should therefore be on:
- supporting the integrity of elections;
- promoting the participation of all stakeholders in the political decision-making process;
- strengthening democratic resilience;
- combating digital threats to democracy; and
- furthering local democracy, which includes citizen participation and accountability.
International IDEA was founded in 1995 with the aim of promoting democracy worldwide on the basis of responsibility, inclusion, participation and the rule of law. The organisation, which has been granted observer status at the UN, has regional offices in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and West Asia and North Africa. Switzerland has been a member since 2006.
At the organisation's 30th-anniversary conference, held at its headquarters in Stockholm, the members of International IDEA's Council of Member States discussed current geopolitical trends, their implications for the organisation's work, and measures to promote democracy in a multipolar world. The meeting was chaired by the director general of the SDC, Patricia Danzi. The SDC is providing CHF 3.5 million to support the work of International IDEA over the period 2023‒26.
Speaking at a panel discussion following the Council of Member States meeting, Ms Danzi noted that democracy and good governance are not just political ideals but key preconditions for the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. «Participation in democratic processes at all levels and the inclusion of all stakeholders can help to prevent conflicts and crises and, in a broader sense, pave the way for more sustainable prosperity. This applies to all countries, irrespective of their income level,» she said.
At the panel, which was chaired by Swedish foreign minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, Ms Danzi also referred to the Guidelines on Democracy published by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on 7 May 2025. The guidelines, she noted, are based on the conviction that democracy is never a finished product. «Democracy isn't static – it needs to be lived every day. There are frictions, so a willingness to compromise is important, both in Switzerland and elsewhere.»
Guidelines on Democracy
“Democracy is not a state ‒ it is a constantly evolving process”
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
