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.

Remarks by NDI President Kenneth Wollack at the Library of Congress/National Endowment for Democracy event honoring President Václav Havel.

20 February 2007:

Sixteen years ago, in 1991, NDI recognized Václav Havel with its W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award, honoring him for his years as a dissident, political essayist and leading figure in the Velvet Revolution of 1989—the bloodless end to communism in Czechoslovakia.

On Jan. 21, Serbia held its parliamentary elections on the eve of the international community’s decision about Kosovo’s future status. While Serbia’s political culture has long been blemished with periodic bouts of ethnic strife and nationalism, these elections offered an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to the democratic process and a more diverse and representative government.

The second annual Macedonian “Assembly Days” offers a step toward giving the public a voice and first hand view of their government in action.

Many African countries have received billons of dollars in revenues from oil and other natural resources over the last 25 years.  Yet, the per capita income of most of these countries remains at less than $3 a day.

In many cases, the lack of accountability and transparency in the management of revenue exacerbates poor governance and often fuels cycles of corruption, conflict and poverty.