The activities within the celebration of the International Day of Democracy, 15 September, are aimed at shining a spotlight on the importance of citizens' opinions, both expressed directly and through their elected representatives, in political, economic, social, developmental, environmental and technological debates.

On the occasion of celebrating this significant day, the Vice President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Suljo Mustafić received today the students of the Primary School “Oktoih”, and spoke with them about democracy. The Vice President responded to the students’ questions who wanted to know: how and where the first parliament was established; why it had that particular name; how people voted; why the Parliament’s sittings were broadcasted via TV; who the people visiting the Parliament were; etc.

Additionally, the students today attended the democracy workshop of the Parliament of Montenegro dedicated to this event and spoke with the female MPs Zorica Kovačević and Azra Jasavić about the idea of democracy, the role of MPs in a democratic society and the importance of the voice of the people heard through their elected representatives during democratic decision making.

The celebration of the International Day of Democracy will be continued on Monday, 16 September. Within the democracy workshops project, the students of the Primary School „Risto Ratković“ from Bijelo Polje will have the opportunity to interview the MPs Obrad Stanišić and Emilo Labudović.

The UN General Assembly declared 15 September the International Day of Democracy, encouraging member states to strengthen national programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy. The Inter-Parliamentary Union, under the slogan “Better parliaments, stronger democracies”, is promoting the International Day of Democracy thought its member parliaments in 162 countries in the world.

You can find more information on this year’s celebration on the website of the Inter-Parliamentary Union: www.ipu.org/idd.