The twin crises of our time – environmental degradation and democratic backsliding – are governance failures. They are the outcome of governments’ inability to deliver on urgent, complex problems.  

The inability of governments around the world to address climate change, even as technical, scientific and financial remedies have been identified, is both frustrating and alarming. In some low-income countries, like Nepal, politicians are striving to implement poorly understood sustainable development policies amidst a lack of awareness of the underlying problems. In others, like Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), leaders lack the knowledge and institutional capacity to act.

Earth Day is a timely reminder that a coordinated global effort to address climate change has never been more urgent. Climate change, a defining global crisis, is a growing threat to lives and livelihoods. Young climate activists from Colombia to Uganda have successfully urged their governments to take meaningful action: joining international agreements to limit carbon emissions; adopting climate-focused legislation, and mitigating corruption. Young climate activists have even taken their governments to court over climate inaction.

Unsustainable and opaque debt is a democratic deficit. New briefs by NDI and the Westminster Foundation (WFD) explain how parliaments can ensure governments take on debt responsibly and in ways that benefit citizens. 

Full and meaningful inclusion is a core democratic value. This is why NDI is working in Latin America to increase the political participation of underrepresented populations including Afro-Descendants, women and youth. Here’s how: 

Inclusive Political Parties

This March, nations of the world joined together to launch the “Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse,” including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, and the Republic of Korea, to work together to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The initiative, a commitment made in the Year of Action of the Summit for Democ

Amidst a once-in-a-generation pandemic, another global threat has intensified and permeated across borders and boundaries: one of sustaining a liberal world order against illiberal influences. This trend is evidenced by consecutive years of decline in global freedom. According to Varieties of Democracy, a majority of the world’s population is ruled by autocratic governments.

Partner Profile: Association Anika

In support of NDI’s commitment to increasing the inclusion of marginalized populations in political processes, we’re highlighting the essential work of partners who are at the forefront fighting for greater levels of equality, shifting norms and perceptions, and reducing barriers to political participation for persons with disabilities.

Partner Profile: The Association of Students with Disabilities

In support of NDI’s commitment to increasing the inclusion of marginalized populations in political processes, we’re highlighting the essential work of partners who are at the forefront fighting for greater levels of equality, shifting norms and perceptions, and reducing barriers to political participation for persons with disabilities.