As the representation of the people's will, parliament serves as an essential link between citizens and the policy making process. Effective two-way engagement with constituents is critical to building trust and ensuring that the legislature responds to the interests and desires of the communities they serve.

Effective management of public debt starts with effective parliamentary oversight. This was the theme of a workshop organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in partnership with the Malawi Parliament on August 12, 2023, at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe. Similar to many African countries, Malawi is facing pressure on the continuously rising and unsustainably managed public debt, which soared to K7.9 Trillion (USD 700 Billion) in December 2022. The debt to GDP ratio stands at 66.7%.

Located 14,000 feet above sea level, Tibet has the world’s highest peak, the largest ice cap beyond the two poles and a diverse set of mountainous plants and animals. Tibet is also home to approximately six million Tibetans, all living under Chinese Communist Party rule. Just across the border in India, there is a vibrant community of 80,000 exiled Tibetans. After fleeing political persecution in Tibet in 1959, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama led these Tibetans to form a government-in-exile, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

“There are always forces seeking to undermine democracy. Transparency and open data are key to defending it,”  asserted Lord Frances Maude, Member of the House of Lords, in opening remarks of the Open Parliament Day Conference held in the Parliament of Estonia, ahead of the OGP Global Summit.

During the week of May 8th - 12th, NDI-Tunisia and our civil society partners join the annual celebrations of the International Week of Open Government through ongoing programming on open, accountable and transparent governance processes with the Government of Tunisia,  and the El Kef Municipality in northwest Tunisia. Despite escalating challenges to the core democratic freedoms enshrined in the 2014 and 2022 constitutions, civil society organizations (CSOs) continue to advance their campaigns for more responsive governance.

In December 1991, 92% of Ukrainians voted for independence from the former Soviet Union, with a voter turnout of 84%. While Moscow saw Ukraine and other former Soviet States as remaining under its sphere of influence, from the outset Ukraine’s people embraced democracy and its government generally oriented itself toward the West rather than Moscow.