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.

Source:  Washington Post Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  09/13/2011 The Libyan ambassador to the U.S., Ali Suleiman Aujali, writes in the Washington Post about his government's plans for the future of Libya, and the nature of the transition. 

The National | Link to story  » Mátyás Eörsi, the country director for NDI and former member of parliament in Hungary, said one problem that could arise from a country built on semi-autonomous states is that there could be pressure not to distribute the wealth evenly.

Source:  New York Times Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  09/12/2011 This New York Times editorial highlights the importance of good governance in avoiding future famines in the Horn of Africa, especially in Somalia. The current weakness of the government is making it much harder to deliver food aid safely and efficiently, and also makes it more likely that the structural problems exacerbating the famine stay in place. While the immediate need to distribute food is still of utmost importance, doing so while neglecting governance, corruption and conflict will make future crises more likely.

In the early days of the revolution, crowds gathered nightly in Benghazi to listen to political speakers. Photo by Maroun Sfeir, resident program officer in Egypt. NDI staff in Benghazi continue to meet with representatives of the National Transitional Council (NTC) and political activists. NDI Resident Country Director Matyas Eörsi and Senior Advisor David Rolfes report from Benghazi on the difficulties new political movements and parties are facing.

Atifa Safi Working as an intern in the Afghan parliament in 2007, Atifa Safi helped members and parliamentary committees write reports, take minutes, conduct research and analyze data.  She had the opportunity to contribute to the legislative process while seeing the workings of government close up, and the lawmakers benefited from the help that she and other interns provided.

Foreign Policy | Link to story  »

Source:  Washington Post Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  08/26/2011 Michael Gerson, writes about the difficulties of bringing thousands of militias into the security forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo in this oped for the Washington Post. He also discussed the role of good governance in the stability of the country and region.

Source:  Washington Post Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  08/26/2011 Leslie Campbell, NDI director for Middle East and North Africa programs, points to the positive steps the Libyan transitional council has taken toward democracy, security and inclusiveness and wonders why this revolution seems subject to a higher standard of success than the uprisings that preceded it.

A sign in Benghazi reads "Libya one body, Tripoli our heart." Photo by Maroun Sfeir, resident program officer in Egypt. As the fight for control of Tripoli continues, NDI staff in Benghazi have been meeting with representatives of the National Transitional Council (NTC) as they plan for the days ahead. NDI Resident Country Director Matyas Eörsi and Senior Advisor David Rolfes report from Benghazi.

FATA residents and representatives attend a regional meeting in 2008. President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent decision to extend political and legal reforms to Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is the result of a lengthy effort by political parties and other organizations to bring a more democratic system of governance to a region considered a haven for militants and religious extremists.