Democracy Without Borders, or DWB is an international nongovernmental organization based in Berlin and founded in 2003 that advocates the "democratization and strengthening of the United Nations and other international organizations". The organization supports "global democracy and a holistic approach to democracy promotion that spans from the local to the global levels and at the same time embraces the dimensions of representation, participation, deliberation and co-decision." The organization originates in what is now its German chapter. Prior to March 2017 its name was the Committee for a Democratic UN, or KDUN.
Goals
DWB's mandate states that the organisation "strives for a democratic world order in which citizens participate beyond national boundaries in shaping policy that serves their joint long-term interests." Specifically, it advocates the creation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, through "democratization and reform of the United Nations and intergovernmental bodies in order to enable them to deal with transnational issues and threats successfully and on a legitimate basis." It seeks to achieve this through a gradual approach, starting first with forming the UNPA as a largely consultative body, before slowly empowering it as public support rises. DWB also maintains a blog, which publishes a range of articles relating to global governance and the proliferation of democracy. DWB is co-founder and coordinator of the Campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly; the latter has since gained support from over 1,500 members of parliament from around the world. In 2019, preparations for a Campaign for a UN World Citizens' Initiative were announced in collaboration with CIVICUS and Democracy International. DWB is associated member of the World Federalist Movement.
National associations
In addition to the Berlin-based organisation in Germany, a Swedish DWB association was formed in February 2018 which focuses on the promotion of the UNPA in Sweden. In December 2018, the creation of a Swiss DWB association was announced. A Kenyan chapter was established in 2019.
