Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia Rt. Hon. Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC, MP has called on a stakeholders to give youths an opportunity to develop an understanding of emergent issues on both the Zambian and world issues.

In his address to the participants during the commemoration of the International Day of Democracy organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Zambia National Group at Parliament Buildings on Monday 10^th October, 2016, The Rt. Hon. Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC, MP urged stakeholders to create a platform on which young people can display and explore their abilities as they aspire for public office and other vocations. He added that this would enable the youths to contribute effectively to the realisation of emergent issues. In line with the theme for 2016, “Democracy 2030”, the IPU Zambia National Group organised a debate contest in which participants debated the motion “Are there enough opportunities for youths to contribute effectively to the growth of Zambia’s Democracy and the realization of Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030?”

The Speaker also stated that the theme for the commemoration of the IDD for the year 2016 “Democracy 2030” was very timely as countries around the world are focusing on the attainment of agenda 2030 which basically encompasses the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals that United Nations member countries should accomplish by the year 2030.

Speaking at the same event, the First deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Catherine Namugala said that she was delighted to note that there is a brighter future for our country because of the manner in which the youths debated the motion and demonstrated that they had a good understanding of Zambia’s democracy and the global agenda which is the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The First Deputy Speaker also congratulated the three participants that emerged as the best three debaters of the day who included; Susan Banda from Choma Secondary School who scooped the first prize, Ebenezer Chulu of Anoya Zulu Boys Secondary School who came in second place and Sofia Chapeshamano who came in third place.

The IDD is commemorated on the 15^th of September annually, but the National Assembly of Zambia could not commemorate the IDD on the 15^th of September due to prior commitments on the Parliamentary calendar.

The International Day of Democracy dates as far back as November the 8^th, 2007, when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Resolution 62/7 declaring 15th September as the International Day of Democracy.

The resolution’s preamble defines democracy as, “a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of life.” 

The resolution further recognizes that “while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy and that democracy does not belong to any country or region”. The resolution also highlights some key actors in democracy, which are, parliaments, civil society organizations, media and the government at all levels.

After the adoption of resolution 62/7 by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, the International Day of Democracy was first celebrated on 15^th September, 2008. The day has since been observed in many countries around the world.