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.

After a recent trip to Africa, Nicholas Kristof chronicles the encouraging changes taking place and the continuing challenges facing the continent. While Africa's economy is booming, widespread problems such as malnutrition and disease still persist, although humanitarian aid programs from the United States have made significant impact. Kristof also notes the increasing presence of democracy on the continent. "Morocco is a window into one of the most striking trends in Africa: democratization. The number of electoral democracies in Africa has risen to 18 from 4 in the last decade, according to Freedom House, a nonprofit human rights organization based in Washington. Even in a country like Morocco, which is still a repressive monarchy, easing has occurred. It has freed some political prisoners, moved to strengthen its Parliament a bit and even established a truth and reconciliation commission."