International Day of Democracy: Raising hands…

How can governance systems create meaningful opportunities for people to influence the decisions that affect their lives? Marking the International Day of Democracy 2026, this session will explore how deliberative democracy can foster greater agency and ownership by bringing diverse voices into public decision-making. Through reflections on international experience and citizens' assemblies, participants will discuss how participation, dialogue and inclusion can strengthen trust and contribute to more responsive and effective governance.

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The Goals Lounge is an innovative platform at the UN Headquarters that brings together dialogue, partnerships and visibility to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Since its launch, it has enabled major announcements, mobilized significant financial commitments and supported high-impact initiatives across areas such as mental health, women's leadership and digital transformation, while engaging diverse stakeholders and audiences worldwide.