Political Overview

Over the last decade, a number of Asian nations have rejected authoritarian regimes and are now moving towards a more democratic form of government. These nations have moved on to the second-generation democratic issues of legislative development, corruption prevention, citizen participation, and constitutional and electoral reform. Thailand, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, have faced the challenge of restoring democratic institutions after military suspension of elected governments.

Countries such as Cambodia and Malaysia are making slower strides toward democratic development. However, limited political liberalization has created new space for citizens to participate, for political parties and NGO's to organize and for legislatures to assert their power. Thus, complete political and economic isolation has become increasingly rare, with nations like Burma, Laos and North Korea being the exceptions rather than the rule.

Afghanistan

NDI established an office in Afghanistan in March 2002 and conducted programs to support the development of political parties and civic groups in the lead up to the 2004 presidential elections and the 2005 National Assembly and provincial council elections. Currently, NDI is implementing programs designed to strengthen political processes in the National Assembly, support the development of provincial councils, and build the capacity of women representatives in the legislature. The Institute’s programs in Afghanistan are implemented through NDI’s seven offices in Kabul, Kunduz, Jalalabad, Mazar-i-Sharif, Bamiyan, Herat, and Gardiz.

Bangladesh

Over the past ten years, NDI has conducted a series of parliamentary, civil society and political party programs in Bangladesh, and has been active in providing technical support and monitoring for the country's elections. NDI currently conducts study circles and roundtable discussions to initiate dialogue on governance issues, and to promote leadership development skills and encourage cooperation among parties in parliament. In the run up to the now postponed election for parliament, NDI conducted surveys of the accuracy of voter list and sponsored an assessment of the pre-election environment.

Burma

Since 1995, NDI has been assisting the National Coalition Government of Burma to build a network of support among democratically elected leaders from around the world, while strengthening its communication, networking and strategic planning capacity. The Institute is currently supporting initiatives to build pro-Burma working groups in key Asian countries and international campaigns to pressure the military junta.

Cambodia

NDI's programming in Cambodia seeks to enhance the capacity of democratic political parties to participate more effectively in the political process through constituency dialogues, provincial and national discussions of significant issues, adoption of political party codes of conduct activities, and developing a women's caucus and youth wings in parties. Since 1992, NDI has aided democratic activists in Cambodia through work with civic groups and political parties.

China

Building on efforts that commenced in 1997, NDI's program in China focuses on strengthening processes that enable citizens to participate in governance, such as legislative and administrative hearings, and citizen participation in decision making in their communities.

East Timor

NDI has been involved in East Timor since December 1999 and is currently implementing a citizen participation program at the grassroots level. The Institute is also conducting confidence-building, education and capacity-developing activities for civilians within society and within newly elected governing bodies to support the democratic development of the security sector in East Timor.

Hong Kong

Since 1997, NDI has monitored and reported on political developments in Hong Kong, including movement toward universal suffrage, and has provided technical assistance and training to Hong Kong's major political parties. NDI also supports civil society organizations in their efforts to focus on domestic and international attention on Hong Kong's democratic transition.

Indonesia

NDI has worked in Indonesia since 1996, when it supported domestic efforts to monitor the May 1997 parliamentary elections. NDI has conducted extensive programs involving political parties, legislators and civil society organizations to address the needs of a post-Suharto Indonesia and to assist in the country's democratic consolidation. NDI worked with domestic election monitoring organizations in Aceh to conduct voter registration audits and election-day monitoring activities. NDI is currently conducting programs involving political parties, national and regional legislatures, and civil society groups. These programs support the development of transparent, accountable and inclusive electoral and political processes leading up to the 2009 legislative and presidential elections.

Malaysia

In February 2005, NDI began a program in Malaysia focused on fostering dialogue between political parties and civil society. NDI has provided training to improve party constituent outreach, message development, and communication skills. In addition, the program encourages political party officials to explore improvements in their party's internal structures and decision-making processes by sharing local and foreign experiences and lessons learned.

Nepal

NDI has been working in Nepal since 1994 to strengthen the country's democratic processes. In recent years, the Institute has conducted voter and civic education programs to promote citizen understanding of and involvement in the political sphere, supported anti-corruption efforts, carried out nationwide public opinion polling, and conducted training of trainers programs to increase the political participation and effectiveness of local women leaders and activists. The Institute has initiated programs to promote consensus building between parties, strengthen political party leadership and governance, and encourage civil society and media oversight of the political process.

Pakistan

NDI has been providing assistance to political parties and civil society groups to improve the country's democratic institutions and processes. NDI opened an office in Islamabad in 2002 and is currently implementing eight programs focused on political party development, local governance, youth political participation, women's political participation, and the 2007 elections.

Philippines

NDI is implementing a program to promote informed and participatory dialogue on political reforms and proposed constitutional change. The Institute works with civil society partners to organize public forums covering key reform issues, and ensures that the forum is conducted in a balanced and moderated format. In addition, NDI supports independent media entities in monitoring the process of the proposed reforms and constitutional changes, and in bringing this information to the public.

Sri Lanka

In an effort to help alleviate the current political stalemate and foster political support for the peace process, NDI provides assistance to: 1) help foster inter-party cooperation in addressing issues of local concern; and 2) strengthen the capacity of district-level party organizations to articulate public priorities to national party leaders. NDI has facilitated multiparty cooperation by training Sri Lankan mediators and organizing district-level multiparty roundtables to address issues of local concern. The Institute also works to strengthen district party structures through multiparty training on constituency outreach, policy development, and advocacy to national party leaders.

Thailand

NDI initiated a program in February 2007 to support citizen participation in political reform processes under Thailand’s transition to civilian rule. The Institute is supporting the efforts of local civil society groups to organize regional roundtables, in urban and rural provinces, to promote broader citizen discussion on issues surrounding political reforms.

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