Francesca Binda is NDI's resident senior director in West Bank/Gaza, having held similar posts in Iraq, Egypt, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) during two tours with the Institute's Sarajevo office from 2002-2004 and 1996-2000. Ms. Binda rejoined NDI in October 2005 from the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) where she was senior advisor for political parties. From 2000 to 2002, she directed the Elections/Implementation Department for the OSCE Mission to BiH where she oversaw the fulfillment of the 2000 election results and the successful transfer of election administration from international control to BiH authorities. A Canadian political professional, Ms. Binda's international experience includes consulting with political parties and parliamentarians in a variety of countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Before moving to BiH in 1996, Ms. Binda spent 11 years in Ottawa, Canada working for the New Democratic Party in the Canadian House of Commons. Ms. Binda holds a degree in Political Science from Carleton University and is a recipient of the Canada Peacekeeping Medal.
