What was the official theme of the International Day of Democracy in 2018, observed globally to reflect on the state of democracy in the world?

Introduction / Context:
The International Day of Democracy is observed every year to promote and uphold the principles of democracy worldwide. Each year, a specific theme is chosen that reflects current global challenges and priorities related to democratic governance. For 2018, the theme captured concerns about pressure on democratic institutions and the need for constructive responses. Exam questions frequently ask for the exact wording of themes for major United Nations observances, so it is important to remember the 2018 theme accurately.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers specifically to the International Day of Democracy in the year 2018.
• We are asked to identify the official theme used globally in that year.
• Four theme like statements are provided as options.
• We assume that only one of these matches the exact officially adopted phrase.

Concept / Approach:
The concept being tested is detailed current affairs knowledge about UN observances. In 2018, the official theme of the International Day of Democracy was Democracy under Strain: Solutions for a Changing World. This phrase reflects concerns about democratic backsliding, populism, and challenges to rule of law, and it emphasises the need for practical solutions. The approach is to recall or recognise this exact wording and distinguish it from themes used in other years, such as those focusing on the 2030 Agenda or civil society space.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is strictly about the 2018 edition of the International Day of Democracy.Step 2: Recall that for 2018 the emphasis was on democracy being under pressure and the search for solutions, captured in the phrase Democracy under Strain: Solutions for a Changing World.Step 3: Examine the options and locate this exact phrase among them.Step 4: Confirm that option A contains the correct wording.Step 5: Select Democracy under Strain: Solutions for a Changing World as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification method is to recall that some other themes like Democracy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Space for Civil Society belong to earlier years of the International Day of Democracy, not to 2018. Keeping a short mental timeline of themes helps: for example, themes on civil society space and the 2030 Agenda precede the 2018 focus on strain and solutions. Matching 2018 with the more recent and urgent phrase about democracy under strain confirms the choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Democracy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was a theme for a different year that aligned the day with the Sustainable Development Goals and not specifically with the idea of democracy under pressure. Space for Civil Society is another earlier theme that focused on the role and protection of civil society organisations. Inclusive Institutions for Sustainable Futures is written in the style of UN themes but does not correspond to the official 2018 wording. Therefore, none of these alternatives correctly represent the 2018 theme.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often memorise only fragments of themes or mix themes belonging to different years. Another pitfall is to choose an option that sounds generally positive or aligned with sustainable development without confirming whether it belongs to the specific year asked in the question. To avoid such mistakes, it is useful to prepare a small table linking years and themes for a few major observances and to revise it periodically so that year wise associations remain clear in your mind.

Final Answer:
The 2018 theme of the International Day of Democracy was Democracy under Strain: Solutions for a Changing World.