This month, the National Democratic Institute is celebrating Pride! 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 of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) communities. 

Democratic backsliding, propelled by strong anti-gender and nationalist movements, is limiting the ability of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people and other marginalized populations to participate politically and exercise their basic rights and citizenship responsibilities. Around the globe, LGBTQI+ organizations and activists are facing an increase in discrimination, exclusionary political discourse and anti-LGBTQI+ legislative action.

Fight for freedom. Future of the global order. Existential struggle. 

It’s hard to find terms that describe the crisis in Ukraine without sounding like so much cable news hyperbole. And yet, Russia’s illegal invasion of a free and sovereign Ukraine is existential for the Ukrainian people: their sovereignty, freedoms and way of life are on the line.  

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.