<< BACK Democratic Governance Overview The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) views the development of democratic governance as a critical component of its mission. NDI’s governance programs seek to promote effective public sector institutions and processes that operate in a manner consistent with democratic values of transparency, representation, pluralism and accountability. By improving governance institutions and processes, NDI seeks to ensure that progress in other areas of democratic development, such as elections, citizen participation and political party building, is effectively translated into improvements in government action. It is through improved governance that the benefits of democratic development most directly impact lives of citizens. Conversely, the inability of public sector institutions to function effectively and democratically can undermine the sustainability of democratic reform. NDI’s democratic governance programming emphasizes the political dimension of democratic governance within four main practice areas, each of which are described in greater detail on the linked web pages to the left and below: Constitutional Reform. NDI supports constitutional reform by providing technical expertise and comparative information on constitutional reform processes. In partnership with local political party and civil society partners, NDI promotes political party dialogue on constitutional reform issues, assists lawmakers in drafting and reviewing constitutional reform provisions, and educates citizens about proposed changes to their constitutions. Legislative Development. NDI’s programs in this practice area cover most facets of legislative and parliamentary strengthening. Given its comparative approach and worldwide network of legislative and parliamentary trainers, NDI is equally comfortable working in parliamentary, separation of powers and hybrid systems. NDI has expertise in developing comprehensive new member orientation programs, and regularly assists and trains members on a range of specific issues in the areas of committee structure and operations, public hearings, budget processes, constituency relations, executive-legislative relations, oversight and scrutiny, party caucus organization and rules of procedure. NDI increasingly works to build legislative staff capacity by providing assistance on staff restructuring issues and by providing specialized skills development training. Frequently, NDI is asked to support the work of legislative committees on democratic development issues, including election law reform and freedom of information legislation. Lastly, NDI conducts a range of institutional strengthening programs, including the development of legislative information technology systems, legislative libraries and legislative internship programs. Local Government. According to World Bank estimates, 84% of the world's 75 developing countries with a population exceeding 5 million claim to be currently engaged in some form of transfer of authority to local government. NDI works with national political leaders to help structure decentralization policies to create legal environments within which local government can prosper. NDI also works to increase the capacity of local government to meet these new challenges by providing orientation and training for local officials and by supporting the development of associations of local authorities. NDI also works to promote citizen participation in local government and conducts a range of civic education about local government. Public Integrity. Many of NDI’s programs promote public integrity, even though they may not be described as an ethics or anti-corruption program. For example, NDI’s programs help to reduce election fraud, to promote transparency within political parties and to strengthen legislative oversight of the executive. In addition, however, NDI conducts several programs focused specifically on developing legislative, ministerial and civil service codes of conduct. NDI also works with civil society groups to promote public integrity and conducts ethics training for governmental officials. Contact Information For more information on NDI's democratic governance programs, please contact: (202) 728-5410 Updated October 2006 << BACK