It is not enough to adhere to these values and principles. CDI member parties must commit themselves to translating them into deeds at national and international level. Winning elections equates with a right and a duty to rule and to serve. The public support must be met through a style of governance based on the rule of law. Legitimate power must be shown through efficiency, honesty, transparency and responsability towards democratic institutions and towards the public at large.
Good governance means stability, economic growth and human development.
The members of CDI are political parties and organisations whose members are persons of a variety of ethical and cultural inspirations. The respect for human dignity and the acknowledgement of the transcendent dimension of human beings remains their common denominator. Over the last few years, the CDI has increased its geographic presence and the number of its members, from 67 members at the beginning of 1994 to 76 members at the end of 1997. A growing number of political parties, particularly those from newly established democracies, have sought membership of CDI and some are already working together with its regional and sectoral organisations. The CDI has sector entities of women, young people, workers, parlamentarians, senior citizens, locally and regionally elected officials administrators, human rights, etc., at an international level or linked to its regional entities.