The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Leslie Campbell, senior associate and regional director of NDI's Middle East and North Africa programs will take part in a discussion titled “The Arab Spring, Prospects for Democracy," part of the Engage America Speakers Series presented by the Savannah Council on World Affairs. Joining him will be Thomas Garrett, vice president for programs at the International Republican Institute. For more information, visit freesavannahcwa.org.

Time: 8 p.m.

Gender Adviser/Specialist Endah Agustiana will discuss political gender mainstreaming and women’s leadership in Parliament and local levels of government, based on her experience as a gender specialist in Cambodia, East Timor and Vietnam.

Time: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Date: Jan. 26, 2011

Location: The Elliott School of International Affairs, Lindner Family Commons (Room 602), 1957 E Street NW, Washington, D.C.

NDI and the Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars cordially invite you to a panel discussion on "The Role of Parliament in Kyrgyzstan's Democratic Development," with members of parliament from the Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Democracy Committee.

On Feb. 16, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings will host a discussion on Senegal’s elections and their implications for democracy, economic growth and regional stability.

The Society for International Development will examine the developments since last year's Arab Spring and the opposing advancement of the current Arab Winter. Barrie Freeman, Director of North Africa Programs at NDI, will moderate a discussion about the progress of the efforts, and further, how democratic movements have affected international development in the region.

Speakers include Ambassador Bob Pearson, President of IREX; Thomas Vajda, U.S. Department of State; and Scott Mastic, MENA Regional Director at IRI.