Today, on September 15, 2019, we join democrats around the world in celebrating the International Day of Democracy under the theme “Participation!” The World Movement continues to encourage participation by facilitating dialogue that engages youth, musicians, and artists—all who stand to benefit from democracy, but are often excluded from democracy discussions. Recently, the World Movement convened young civil society leaders and musicians in West Africa to develop mechanisms for coordination through which they can reach broader audiences with music.

In result, attendees formed the Working Group on Music as a Messenger of Democracy and recorded an album of songs that underline their experiences standing up for democracy and human rights. Today, we are happy to join them in announcing the launch of “Democracy,” a song that reminds listeners that they deserve civic freedoms and that they should speak out against injustice. Listen here.