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UN DEMOCRACY FUND

11th April, 2023

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended. 

Context

  • That India, a founding member of UNDEF, has no objections to the Fund giving grants to NGOs funded by George Soros, while he is put on the watchlist in India underlines a contradiction that’s not new.

About UNDEF

India’s role

  • India and the US were prime movers behind the UN Democracy Fund in 2005, when they were negotiating the civilian nuclear co-operation deal.
  • As Joint Secretary (Americas) at the time, S Jaishankar was a lead negotiator.

History

  • UNDEF was created by UN Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund to support democratization efforts around the world.

Role

  • UNDEF funds projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes.
  • The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations.
  • In this way, UNDEF plays a novel and unique role in complementing the UN's other, more traditional work -- the work with Governments -- to strengthen democratic governance around the world.

Finance

  • UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from Governments; in 2021, it reached almost 220 million dollars in contributions and counts more than 45 countries as donors, including many middle- and low-income States in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
  • In 15 Rounds of Funding so far, UNDEF has supported over 880 two-year projects in more than 130 countries. 
  • Grants ranging from US$100,000 to US$300,000 support initiatives in the areas of: 
    • Support for Electoral Processes
    • Women's Empowerment
    • Media and Freedom of Information
    • Rule of Law and Human Rights
    • Strengthening Civil Society Interaction with Government
    • Youth Engagement

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Which of the following statements with reference to UN Democracy Fund is/are incorrect?

a. India is a founding member of the fund.

b. Majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations.

c. UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from corporations.

  1. a and b
  2. b and c
  3. a and c
  4. None of the above

Correct Answer: 1

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/george-soros-un-fund-launched-in-2005-on-sidelines-of-india-us-n-deal-8549441/