Introduction
NDI recognizes that political
parties form the cornerstone of a democratic
society and serve a function unlike any
other institution in a democracy. Parties
aggregate and represent social interests
and provide a structure for political participation.
They train political leaders who will assume
a role in governing society. In addition,
parties contest and win elections to seek
a measure of control of government institutions.
Therefore, as part of its efforts to promote
the development of democracy throughout
the world, NDI engages in activities designed
to build and strengthen this basic institution
of modern democracy: the political party.
For over 20 years, NDI has worked with
democratic parties from across the political
spectrum in more than 60 countries around
the world.
Depending on the expressed needs of the political
parties, the stage of political transition
and cultural conditions in a particular
country, NDI provides democratic political
activists with the skills they require to
establish representative, accountable, transparent
and effective political parties. Information
and technical assistance is provided to
new and newly democratic political parties
and movements on an inclusive, multiparty
basis. The purpose of such programs is to
deepen and expand democratic values and
practices in transitional societies by enabling
political parties to play their special
role and fulfill their responsibilities
in a professional, transparent and peaceful
manner consistent with international standards
and the laws of their respective countries.
NDI pursues its political party development
activities in conjunction with other civil
society, governance and election-related
activities. Ultimately, the goal of NDI's
efforts is to support the development of
effective institutions and processes that
contribute to a healthy and vibrant democracy.
Targets of Assistance
In choosing the political parties with which
to work, NDI assesses the socio-political
environment in the country and attempts
to identify all democratic, nonviolent and
viable political parties. Beginning with
this inclusive approach, NDI narrows its
targets based on a set of standards established
on a case-by-case basis and reflective of
political realities and resources (time,
money and staff). Among these standards,
the following may be considered:
prominence in politics
likely long-term presence in politics
base of popular support
receptiveness to NDI assistance
ability to articulate interests/needs
democratic commitment
policy positions
level of internal democracy
ability to absorb assistance
need of assistance
level of political organization at the local level
adherence to nonviolent principles
Global Political Party Development Operational and Structural Development
At any point in a transition process, NDI
programs address the institutional structures
of a political party that make it an effective
organization. In these efforts, NDI addresses
the following:
Membership development and recruitment
Utilization of a volunteer membership
Message development
Media relations
National, regional and local party structures
Broadening the party base
Creating an effective headquarters operation
Database construction
Communications – internally and with the electorate
Organization of party congress or events
Issue and policy research
Opinion polling
Fundraising
Building relationships with interest groups.
Political parties in elections
Election-related political party programs
address all of the activities necessary
to structure and conduct an effective election
campaign through the following:
Strategic planning and developing an effective campaign
Building a campaign management team and allocating
responsibility
Motivating and mobilizing the party membership
Message/Platform development
Media relations
Communication
with the electorate and voter outreach
Candidate identification, recruitment and selection
Campaign funding and budgeting
Getting out the vote
Pollwatching
Political parties in parliament
In new and transitional democracies, many
parties have little experience in organizing
their activities in parliament, which greatly
effect the public's perceptions of a party
and thus its effectiveness. NDI parties
in parliament programs address the following:
The role of parties in opposition and government
The rights and responsibilities of government
and opposition
The structure of a parliamentary group or caucus
The decision making process within a caucus
Effective use of parliamentary debating time
Policy and issue research
Effective use of limited resources
Party discipline and the role of a whip
Inter party relations and coalition building
Constituent relations
Communications between caucus members, headquarters, party
members and the electorate
How best to utilize junior members – "backbenchers"
Building relationships with interest groups and civil society.
Legal and constitutional frameworks
Political leaders often ask NDI to provide
suggestions and commentary regarding provisions
designed to ensure effective, fair political
competition. These requests frequently relate
to legal provisions governing the creation,
registration, operation, financing and dissolution
of political parties, which represent an
important component of the democratic political
contest.
Principal Training Techniques
NDI uses a variety of techniques to
enhance the capacity and effectiveness of
political parties and to affect attitudinal
changes among all societal actors. Depending
upon the length of the program, the funds
available and the identified needs in a
particular setting, NDI programs will employ
one or more of the below training techniques:
Multiparty seminars and single party seminars
Directed projects and special projects
Consultations with Party headquarters
Party working groups
One to one consultations/advisory sessions
Informal dialogue
Training of trainers within parties
Second country study missions
Development of training manuals
Facilitation of internal party discussion
Assistance with developing international links
Public forums and information meetings
Opinion polls and research
Presentation of comparative studies/examples.
Contact Information
For further information on Political Party Development, please contact:
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