In 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic continued to put a strain on democracy across the globe. While the world witnessed democratic setbacks in both new and old democracies, democracy also showed its resilience through increased civic activism and the expansion of democratic innovations. 

In the past year, International IDEA’s work on the ground continued to make a difference. In the Gambia, we organized participatory political dialogues to support political parties, civil society and media to develop and implement a Presidential Code of Conduct, contributing to a peaceful presidential election. In Moldova, International IDEA developed the expertise of civil society in social media monitoring. In Chile, Malaysia and Bhutan, we supported parliaments to integrate a gender equality perspective in their legislative work. 

International IDEA also intensified its efforts to respond to the manifold threats to democracy, even in the most difficult circumstances. After the military coup in Myanmar, International IDEA mobilized its global network of experts to continue supporting the democratic actors who are working tirelessly on the future restoration of democracy in Myanmar. 

The reform processes of our regional and country programmes were complemented by our high-quality, evidence-based knowledge products. We launched the third iteration of our flagship publication, the Global State of Democracy Report 2021, which sparked record-breaking levels of interest around the world, with its key message of ‘growing authoritarianism’ covered by more than 1,000 media outlets and mentioned directly by US President Joe Biden in his opening remarks at the 2021 Summit for Democracy.

To support the Summit, International IDEA initiated the Global Democracy Coalition, a network of nearly 50 democracy organizations that held more than 40 sessions on topical issues connected to democracy on the margins of the Summit. International IDEA also strengthened its partnership with the European Union through a project that will support the implementation of the democracy commitments made at the Summit, and welcomed Estonia as International IDEA’s 34th Member State. 

In this Outcome Report, these and a series of other stories cast light on how International IDEA has enabled democracy defenders around the world to protect and strengthen democracy. These stories are also a small testament to our continuous pledge to support and advance democracy throughout the ‘Year of Action’ for democracy in 2022 and beyond.

Kevin Casas-Zamora

Secretary-General

Australia was proud to chair the Council of Member States of International IDEA in 2021.

As a founding member of International IDEA, in 1995, we continue to value the critical work International IDEA undertakes to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide, including in our own Indo-Pacific region. International IDEA has a distinctive role to play in advancing democratic norms, grounded in its diverse cross-regional membership, global presence and world-leading experts. 

We congratulate International IDEA on its successes in 2021. Its voice was influential at a vital time. We commend the important and often courageous work of International IDEA staff in the field. International IDEA’s Global State of Democracy Report plays a crucial role in upholding democratic principles by shining a light on the performance of governments. 

Australia is concerned by the erosion of democratic rights and principles seen around the world in recent years. It is clear that democracy is a defining foreign policy issue of our time. It is at times of crisis that democracies are able to show their true strength, with openness, accountability and respect for the human rights of individuals.

Australia remains committed to working with International IDEA and its member states and we wish the incoming Chair of the Council, Canada, all the best in 2022.

Bernard Philip

Australian Ambassador to Sweden