Uniting for democracy

Uniting for Democracy Initiative

Partner Initiativen

At the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, 15 September: Autocracies often follow common patterns and behaviours based on the 3Ps – populism, polarisation, and post-truth (Anti-Autocratic Handbook 2025). Subtle methods of restricting media freedom and the hollowing out of the state are also part of the autocratic repertoire. What is more, repressive leaders find themselves empowered by big autocratic players.

To counter such increasing pressure, early targeted responses, domestically and internationally, are more important than ever. Rally for democracy!

The Democracy Support Statement is an initiative of the New School of Multilateralism (NSM) situated at University of Graz and was developed with the help of members of the OECD Governance Network, international think tanks and colleagues from EU Team Europe Democracy – many thanks to all who contributed!

This Declaration is supported and signed by:

Altenburger, Carolina – Political Affairs Officer, UN MIK, United Nations

Bäckenberger, David – International Management Graduate, Austrian Armed Forces

Beer, Anna – Law Graduate, NSM Blog Driver

Berndorfer, Melanie – Member of AGGV

Bjelic Vucinic, Ivana – Director of the GFMD International Media Policy and Advisory Centre (IMPACT)

Clayton, William L. – Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution Mosbacher Senior Fellow in Global Democracy

Conty, Jean-Sébastien – Directeur Adjoint, French Diplomacy

Diamond, Larry – Professor at University of Stanford

Dolezal, Eugen – University of Graz, Department of Ethics and Social Sciences

Drmota, Michael – Professor at TU Wien

Eder, Erwin – Managing Director Horizont3000

Edinger, Harald – Secretary General of Austrian Society of Political Sciences

Fenkart, Stephanie – Director at International Peace Institute

Fetcas, Carla – University of Vienna Graduate, NSM series author

Folorunsho, Moshood – Consultant and Programme Director, Educare Trus Nigeria, University of Ibadan

Gaugl, Sophie – Tutor, NSM Blog Driver

Gelbmann, Ulrike – Head of Global Studies Master, University of Graz

Giner Reichl, Irene – Wellbeing for All, European Forum Alpbach, Fordham University, NYC

Haesele, Corinna – Founder Better linked

Harry, Myo Lin – Peace & Rights Specialist, (form.) KAICID

Haslinger, Birgit – Ass. Professor, Johannes Kepler University Linz, LSE

Heinisch, Reinhard – Professor of Comparative Austrian Politics, University of Salzburg

Hilpold, Peter – Professor of Public International Law, European law and Comparative Public Law, University of Innsbruck

Hintermayer, Niklas – DGAP Fellow

Janisch, Margarethe – Lawyer, Styrian Transport Association

Kettemann, Matthias – Professor for Innovation, Theory and Philosophy, University of Innsbruck

Kreutner, Martin – International Counsel and Consultant, First Dean (emeritus) IACA

Lang, Tobias – Director of Austrian Peace Castle Schlaining

Lazar, Isabella – Philosopher, University of Vienna

Milosevic, Mira – Executive Director at Global Forum for Media Development, University of Westminster

Okidi, Christopher – Political Economist and Layer, Advocate of the High Court in Uganda, Kampala Analytica

Pelzer, Anja – Lecturer, Conflict Prevention and Positive Psychology, Systemic Coach and certified Advisor, Trainer and Mediator

Quint, Brigitte – Chief of Office Militär Aktuell

Röhr, Philipp – Crisis Management, Federal Chancellery

Sandrisser, Wilhelm – Founder of Empowering Democracy, former Head of Division

Santner, Friedarike – Independent Consultant

Schneidhofer, Lena – filmmaker

Starlinger, Thomas – Advisor of the Austrian Federal Minister of European and International Affairs

Stift, Fritz – Ambassador, Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs

Stöger, Michael – Center for Digital Teaching and Learning, University of Graz

Strupp, Alexander – NSM author, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften

Tanner, Fred – Ambassador (ret.), CCDP, Graduate Institute Geneva

Terry, Patrick C.R. – Dean of the Faculty of Law / Professor of Law at University of Public Administration Kehl, University of Kent

Wachmann, Nicolai – Student, University of Graz

Weiermann, Johanna – Head of AI Education, Academy for AI and Digitalisation

Weiss, Norman – Professor, MenschenRechtsZentrum, University of Potsdam

Wilfan, Gilbert – Constitutional Service, City of Graz/Styria

Wilson, Patrick J. – former Development Cooperation Counsellour for Democracy, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Senior Foreign Service (retired)

We are democracy! That’s why we act.

For further information on activities of the NSM please click here:  https://nsm.uni-graz.at
Correspondence: ursula.werther-pietsch@univie.ac.at