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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.

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Candidate Schools Help Women in West Africa Compete and Win

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Aminata Kassé (left), NDI resident director in Burkina Faso, presents a certificate of training completion to a Burkinabe women running for office.

As countries across West Africa transition to democracy following years of autocratic rulers, civil unrest, and sometimes civil war, women are frequently left out of the process. Though they make up more than half of the population, women are often excluded from politics by rigid social norms, opaque party structures and other societal hurdles.

Yet democracies with more women in power have been shown to yield more equitable societies, have less corruption, and make more advancements in education, infrastructure and health standards.

Tunisians Frustrated by Political Infighting, Lack of Progress

Following the one-year anniversary of Tunisia’s elections for its National Constituent Assembly (NCA) – the first polls of the Arab Spring – citizens are frustrated by political infighting and the lack of progress on key political and economic issues, according to a new round of NDI focus group research. 

NDI Hosts the 7th Annual Meeting on the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation

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From left to right: NDI President Kenneth Wollack, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), NDI Chairman and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Congressman David Price (D-NC) and IRI President Lorne Craner. 

 

The evolution of international election observation and its impact were among the topics discussed by a panel of distinguished leaders that opened an international meeting on observation standards hosted by NDI in Washington last month.

“Together, we are determined to build on the lessons that we have learned and to make even greater gains in the future,” said NDI Chairman and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. “In offering that pledge, we feel a sense of urgency because election monitoring can have an enormous impact on human lives.”

Public Attitudes in Georgia: Results of a November 2012 Survey

A survey of public opinion in Georgia, released today by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), shows that 79 percent of Georgians think the Oct. 1 parliamentary elections were run well compared to 12 percent who thought there was some level of falsification.

Making All Voices Count: New Fund Aims to Support Open Government around the World

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“Democracy thrives on diversity and becomes stronger through vigorous debate; its very identity is based on the free expression of popular will,” said former Secretary of State and NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright at the Dec. 5 launch of a new initiative aimed at using technology to improve communications between citizens and their government. “That’s one reason why the new information and social networking technologies have such potential.”

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