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.

Author:  National Democratic Institute Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  11/21/2012 Resource Type:  Report Language:  English Despite constitutional provisions calling for local elections to occur every five years, none have occurred in Malawi since 2000. In the absence of elected local representation, many Malawian citizens feel powerless to improve the quality of their lives, a focus group research study has found. Despite this frustration, Malawians still strongly embrace democratic ideals and democracy’s ability to empower citizens to participate in their own governance. Despite constitutional provisions calling for local elections to occur every five years, none have occurred in Malawi since 2000. In the absence of elected local representation, many Malawian citizens feel powerless to improve the quality of their lives, a focus group research study has found. Despite this frustration, Malawians still strongly embrace democratic ideals and democracy’s ability to empower citizens to participate in their own governance.

Citizens of South Sudan gather in a show of support for their new country. Tribal violence in South Sudan’s Jonglei state has displaced an estimated 120,000 people and left up to 3,000 dead. Meanwhile, the South Sudanese government has halted oil production due to unresolved wealth-sharing issues with Sudan and announced austerity measures to compensate for revenue losses and inflation. The increased violence and volatile economic situation represent a contrast with the bright future envisioned last year when South Sudan became the world’s newest country.

As the people of South Sudan undertake the task of building a new nation, public opinion research conducted by NDI shows they are optimistic about South Sudan’s future while also concerned about the fundamental challenges it faces.

Author:  Traci D. Cook Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  11/23/2011 Resource Type:  Focus Group Language:  English

Young Moroccans in Fes. Photo by Andrew Farrand, program officer. Earlier this year, Morocco saw an unprecedented rise in political engagement as young people, inspired by popular uprisings elsewhere in North Africa, rallied fellow citizens into the streets. Mass demonstrations against corruption, inequality and the monarchy’s hold on power pushed King Mohamed VI to call for revisions to Morocco’s constitution. 

Author:  National Democratic Institute Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  11/20/2011 Resource Type:  Focus Group Language:  Arabic, English

Andrea Levy presents the findings of the report in an event at NDI. Highlighting a shift in Somali opinion over the last year, focus group research released by NDI shows that citizens have lost faith in their transitional institutions and are looking for new opportunities to provide input on how to move their country forward.

Author:  Andrea L. Levy Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  09/01/2011 Resource Type:  Focus Group Language:  English

Author:  National Democratic Institute Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  08/10/2011 Resource Type:  Press Release Language:  English Media Type:  PDF

Author:  Nicole Rowsell, Ian T. Woodward Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  07/14/2011 Resource Type:  Focus Group Report Language:  English, Arabic