30 Years of Supporting Democracy at International IDEA
The pursuit of democracy requires unwavering dedication and the collective effort of individuals who believe in the power of their voices. Each initiative we advocate for and each dialogue for change is a step in International IDEA’s path towards contributing to better and stronger democracies.
Together, we can build resilient democratic institutions, foster inclusive participation, and nurture the aspirations of communities everywhere. This anniversary is a testament to our ongoing commitment and a call to action for all who share our vision.
HIGHLIGHTS
International IDEA's 30th anniversary year was filled with events in Stockholm and across all our regions, as our Member States, partners and you joined in to acknowledge our past and support in advancing democracy worldwide.
Download our global 30th anniversary events report (PDF).
Download our global 30th anniversary brochure (PDF).
Africa and West Asia
Asia and the Pacific
Latin America and the Caribbean
Europe
North America
Secretary-General's remarks during the Anniversary Week 2025 in Stockholm
Read the remarks: Stockholm Electoral Conference - Welcome remarks from Kevin Casas-Zamora (10 June 2025)
Read the remarks: International IDEA 30th Anniversary High-Level Session - Welcome remarks from Kevin Casas-Zamora (12 June 2025)
Remarks by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden
Read the remarks: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Maria Malmer Stenergard, speaks during the International IDEA 30th Anniversary High-Level Session. (12 June 2025)
Keynote Remarks by Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Read the remarks: Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaks during the International IDEA 30th Anniversary High-Level Session. (12 June 2025)
Messages from our partners
“International IDEA remains an important partner for Sweden in our ongoing efforts to promote and strengthen democracy. I look forward to co-hosting the high-level reception marking IDEA’s 30th anniversary, celebrating its expertise and knowledge at a time when democracy faces significant challenges around the world.” -Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs in Sweden
“Supporting democratic development around the world is an urgent task. Therefore, I look forward to celebrating International IDEA’s 30 years of important work with a reception at the Riksdag.” -Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag in Sweden)
30th anniversary activities from our regions
Africa and West Asia
Participants at the 30th anniversary event in Pretoria, South Africa, June 2025.
International IDEA convened a high-level dialogue , Re-imagining Democracy in Africa: Comparative Experiences from the Global South, held 19–20 June 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa. The dialogue brought together nearly 200 people and allowed for reflection and engagement on how to safeguard democracy considering current international trends and citizens’ aspirations.
View the page Re-imagining Democracy in Africa: The Pretoria Consensus for more details on The Pretoria Consensus and the event report.
Asia and the Pacific
Beyond our 30th anniversary, another historic milestone took place this year: the 70th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference. Held in Bandung, Indonesia, the original conference brought together representatives from numerous countries, laying the groundwork for South-South cooperation and future collaboration between Asia and Africa.
Read the article: Investing in democracy: Lessons from the Asia-Africa Conference and International IDEA’s 30 years
Europe
Participants at the International Democracy Day conference in Brussels, Belgium, September 2025. Credit: Cédric Puisney
This year’s International Democracy Day Brussels conference, “A World Turned Upside Down: Democracy and Inclusion in an Age of Insecurity”, addressed the urgent links between inclusive democracy, global security, and Europe's role in an increasingly volatile world. In addition to co-convening the conference, International IDEA experts participated in several sessions. For 30 years, International IDEA has been a leader in providing comparative data and publications, developing capacity to enable democratic reforms, and convening with partners to champion democratic values across the globe.
View the conference page: International Democracy Day Brussels 2025 Conference
Latin America and the Caribbean
President of Chile Gabriel Boric at 30th anniversary event in Santiago, September 2025. Credit: International IDEA/Pablo Sanhueza
Read (in Spanish) the event report, 30 años IDEA Internacional: Avanzando la Democracia en América Latina y el Caribe por una Region más Inclusiva y Próspera, about the 30th anniversary event held in Santiago, Chile.
View the summary of the event: 30 años de IDEA Internacional en América Latina y el Caribe
Watch the podcast with International IDEA's director for the Latin America and the Caribbean region: Video podcast Democracia Hoy: 30 años de IDEA Internacional y Latinobarómetro
North America
Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, Daron Acemoglu, speaking at a 30th anniversary event at the Organization of American States in Washington D.C., October 2025. Credit: Juan Manuel Herrera/OAS
International IDEA, the Embassy of Switzerland to the United States and The Organization of American States (OAS), convened a high-level gathering on 31 October 2025 in the Hall of the Americas of the OAS to commemorate 24 years of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and 30 years since the founding of International IDEA.
In September 2025 in New York, on the margins of the UN General Assembly, International IDEA and its Member States — including the Governments of Switzerland (Chair of IDEA in 2025), Canada, Chile, Estonia, Ghana, Mongolia, and South Africa — joined forces with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Trust, Accountability and Inclusion Collaborative to convene a high-level roundtable on “Support for Democracy in a New Geopolitical Context.”
Read more: Support for Democracy in a New Geopolitical Context: High-Level event on sidelines of UNGA80
Highlights from the first 30 years of International IDEA
We have compiled a timeline of the most important moments in the Institute's history. Click below to have a look.
What can you do?
Join us by engaging in our events, exploring our research, and becoming part of the dialogue. Together, we can continue to make a difference and ensure that the promise of democracy reaches every corner of the world.
Check this page often or sign up to our newsletter for updates about our events, opportunities to engage in discussions and workshops with our notable experts, and for demonstration and access to our latest research and data. Our resources and events are open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Join us on social media using #IDEA30years.
Democracy For All
Our 2025 Advocacy campaign recognizes how underrepresented groups must be included in political processes
View our Democracy for All advocacy theme page.
Our Anniversary Publications
25 years of Supporting Democracy Worldwide (website)
20 years of Supporting Democracy Worldwide (article)
15 years of Supporting Democracy Worldwide (publication, PDF)
Ten Years of Supporting Democracy Worldwide (publication, PDF)
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Articles, Events and Publications
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