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.

Nepal has survived considerable political turmoil in recent years, including an armed conflict, failure of the Constituent Assembly to deliver a new constitution and the inability of leadership to form a sustainable government. Although the country has managed the political upheaval, recent events threaten the country’s chances for continued democratic change.

NDI will host more than 300 diplomats and political leaders from more than 100 countries in Charlotte, N.C., at this year’s Democratic National Convention. The visitors are part of NDI’s International Leaders Forum (ILF), which the Institute has hosted during every Democratic National Convention since 1984.

NDI’s guests include current and former heads of state, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, political party leaders and more than 100 ambassadors who are members of the Washington-based diplomatic corps.

Angolans will go to the polls on Aug. 31 for a historic election, the third in the country’s history and the first presidential election since a civil war ended in 2002. 

Despite this significance, most Angolans are not fully informed of their rights as voters and many are unaware of recent changes to election laws, such as expansion of term limits and changes in voting procedures.  In addition, the elections will take place amid growing violence against opposition supporters and a wave of student-led activism against wealth disparities. 

In a country of about 35 million people, keeping up with what’s on people’s minds can be a herculean task for the 375 members of the parliament in Uganda, where there have been significant changes in government in recent years.