National Democratic Institute

Source: Foreign Policy Article Link: Read More Published Date: 03/29/2013 In Foreign Policy, James Traub argues that in Africa, where over the past decade many countries have experienced an economic boom, what distinguishes the successes from the failures is good governance.

New laws would cripple Egyptian democratic institutions

Source: The Washington Post Article Link: Read More Published Date: 04/01/2013 While Egypt faces the possibility of economic collapse, the Obama administration and other Western governments are also worried about proposed laws that would stifle democratic progress by regulating Egypt's nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), “the building blocks of democracy” and banning foreign NGOs from the country. The Washington Post editorial board argues that independent Egyptian human rights groups, legal aid societies, women’s groups and others “are essential to ensuring that a free society takes root.”

Ahead of National Dialogue, NDI Poll Shows that Majority of Yemenis Think Country is Headed in Right Direction

In mid-March, Yemen began its National Dialogue, bringing together political and civil society leaders from diverse political backgrounds to discuss the direction the country will take. As the process gets underway, new public opinion research shows that most Yemenis believe the country is headed in the right direction, though a slim majority in the south disagrees. The conclusions are based on a poll, conducted Jan. 26-Feb. 6, that consisted of 1,486 face-to-face interviews throughout the country.

4 Things the Movie 'NO' Left Out About Real-Life Chile

The Atlantic | Link to story » In the new film NO, the rule of Augusto Pinochet ends after Chile's voters get inspired by a peppy ad campaign designed by a skateboarding, politically agnostic ad executive named Rene, played by Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal.

On the Brink of Justice in Guatemala

Source: The New York Times Article Link: Read More Published Date: 03/27/2013 It has been over a week since Gen. Efraín Ríos Montt, who led the country in the 1980s, went on trial in Guatemala facing charges of genocide. In a New York Times op-ed, Anita Isaacs argues that the trial gives Guatemala a chance to prove to the world that it has made substantial democratic process, can uphold the rule of law and give indigenous Mayans the same protections, rights and freedoms as the rest of its citizens. Though Mayans have been able to testify, the court proceedings have not allowed them to tell their whole story.

Experts Revisit the Lessons from Chile’s “No” Campaign

From left to right: Sergio Bitar, Frank Greer, Kenneth Wollack, Genaro Arriagada. Photo by Joy Asico. Chile’s 1988 plebiscite — in which citizens voted to end the dictatorial rule of General Augusto Pinochet — was a pivotal event in that nation’s history, as well as in the history of democracy around the world.

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Sergio Bitar and Genaro Arriagada discuss their experiences during Chile's 1988 plebiscite before a screening of the Oscar-nominated film "NO" at the Motion Picture Association of America. Photo by Joy Asico.