The Institute's Somalia program recently completed an analysis of its first round of qualitative focus group research, "Looking Toward the Future in Somalia: A Study of Public Opinion Regarding Issues of Democracy and Governance."

The research presents, for the first time, the views of citizens from Puntland and South Central Somalia on issues related to democracy and governance, including findings on the broad role of a government; views on the Transitional Federal Institutions; reactions to the development of a draft constitution; ratification of a national constitution; and the role of religion in Somalia.

Traci Cook will give a briefing on the report and Mohamed Abdirizak will provide political context and analysis.

NDI has worked in Somalia since 2005. The Institute carries out capacity building programs for members of the Transitional Federal Parliament and senior staff in the Transitional Federal Government. NDI is also involved in the constitution making process by working with the Independent Federal Constitution Commission and the Somali legal community. The Institute is also providing civic education on issues related to the constitution and broader transitional processes.