Global Express
Edition 3: Vote, vote, vote -
democracy in the international context
Perhaps the young people in your classrooms do not see the relevance of elections for them. They may not understand the role of the fight for democracy in many of today's conflicts. By examining democracy in an international context, pupils will gain a greater insight into the importance of, and their role in, democracy.
References

Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his/her country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his (or her country).

3. The will of the people shall be the basis of authority of government; this shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

 
Glossary
Democracy
  A kind of government in which all adults have the right to contribute to the running of a country, usually by voting in elections for people to represent them. There are many different kinds of democratic government.
Elections
  A time when people (the voters) can vote for a person (or candidate) to represent them. Usually there are many candidates for the voters to choose from. This can happen at national level but also for local government and within societies, schools etc
 Government
  The government of the country is the group of people who run the country. In a democracy, these men and women are elected by the people of the country.
MP
 Member of Parliament. In the UK, this is the name given to the person who is elected to represent the people in one area (or constituency). 
 Suffrage
  The right to vote. Universal suffrage means that everyone (every adult) has this right. Equal suffrage means that everyone's vote is of equal value.
Global Express
Edition 3: Vote, vote, vote -
democracy in the international context