What we do…
The International Association for Democracy (IAD) is an NGO that works to defend and advance democracy around the globe. We link people with their governments and lobby governments to promote, strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms and values at home and abroad. We work to raise public awareness about the current state of democracy around the world and highlight what should be done to better defend and promote democracy. Our actions are guided by promoting and advancing democracy with respect for the culture, history and development of the state itself.
Why we do it…
With the number of authoritarian countries on the rise, we actively campaign for a world where democracy and freedom flourish, where people’s voices are heard. We believe that everyone should be able to cast their vote in free and fair democratic elections, and influence the direction and future of their respective state. Free, open and peaceful expression of opinions is an essential component of any democracy. The rule of law must be respected: all citizens should be equal before the law and equally accountable to the law. Human rights are inalienable and must be universally protected.
IAD was founded by a group of individuals from across Europe, who were alarmed by an increasing threat to democracies around the globe and the weak response of the EU and other Western democratic nations in defending democracy internationally. Some of the recent events that drove us to take action were: the passage of the Hong Kong national security law; the fall of the democratically elected government in Afghanistan; the erosion of the rule of law and democratic values in Hungary and Poland; and most recently Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. In each case, we felt that the EU, its member states and other Western democratic nations did too little to support and defend democracy.
IAD’s Founders
Valeria Borta
Oliver St. John
Oliver and Valeria founded the International Association for Democracy (IAD) in February 2022, motivated by a deep concern over the growing threats to democracy worldwide. These threats included the passage of the Hong Kong national security law, Maduro’s election fraud in Venezuela, the erosion of the rule of law and democratic values in Hungary and Poland, and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
From February 2022 to November 2024, Valeria and Oliver served as Co-Directors of IAD. Under their leadership, IAD grew to include 50 active volunteers, achieved incorporation as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), and established a strong organisational structure with professionalised teams. They oversaw the launch of impactful public awareness and lobbying campaigns, the growth of IAD’s social media following to over 9 thousand, and made significant strides in advancing the organisation’s mission to defend and promote democracy.