CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE instability and the terror generated by violence, and the persistence of this phenomenon over the past weeks; the challenge of the democratic consolidation of the state and society – as the quest for democracy is ongoing, its reaffirmation largely transcends the question of regulatory, institutional and electoral mechanisms to underpin it and requires society to be educated in terms of rights, democratic culture and citizenship, as manifested by the broad acceptance of the virtues of dialogue, tolerance and respect for socio-cultural diversity; the challenge inherent in the equal promotion and protection of human rights in everyday life, on the basis of the principles of universality and indivisibility, whether in the case of economic, social and cultural rights, civil and political rights, individual rights or collective rights; the challenge inherent in the promotion of gender and the protection of disadvantaged groups – strengthening the participation of women in public affairs and senior administrative positions in order to achieve parity; the fight against unemployment and delinquency among the youth; better care for people with disabilities, the aged, immigrants and refugees; the challenge inherent in implementing the various institutional reforms, whether these relate to the constitutional organisation of authority in order to achieve greater accountability of the elected national representatives; whether these relate to territorial decentralisation in order to achieve greater participation by citizens; or whether, finally, these relate to public office in order to strengthen the efficacy of the administration, the secular arm of the state; the challenge inherent in the fight against corruption, which the leaders in the country acknowledge constitutes one of the major problems facing Algerian society. 109. The consolidation of the tremendous amount of work achieved over the past few years, which was focused on shaping a republican, democratic, liberal and social state, from this perspective is truly cause for optimism. 3.2 Ratification and implementation of standards and codes i. Summary of the CSAR 110. The CSAR indicates that Algeria, through its regulatory texts, has adhered to, or ratified with reservations, almost all of the international and African codes and standards. The report mentions the following in particular: The Charter of the United Nations, to which Algeria adhered by resolution of the General Assembly of 8 October 1962; 15 United Nations Conventions on the promotion of human rights; The UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education; 56