Political Inclusion of Marginalized Groups

Full Testimony by NDI President Ken Wollack on Democracy Promotion in a Challenging World

On June 14, 2018, NDI President Kenneth Wollack testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The hearing discussed support for democracy and human rights as an important American value and a core tenant of U.S. foreign policy. The hearing also discussed democratic backsliding and other challenges to the spread and consolidation of democracy.

November 24, 2017

In Advance of Honduras Elections, Groups Collaborate to Launch Vote for Equality Campaign

Hondurans will head to the polls on November 26 to vote in the country’s general election. On September 26 and 27 -- two months prior to this week’s election -- representatives of civil society organizations gathered in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, Honduras, to launch a campaign titled Vote for Equality. The campaign provides a platform for marginalized populations, pooling their efforts to advocate for equality. The campaign also publishes information on candidate platforms related to inclusion to inform voters in advance of the election.

October 4, 2017

NDI’s Madeleine Albright and Sandra Pepera Discuss Violence Against Women in Politics on PBS’s To The Contrary

Secretary Madeleine K. Albright, chairman of NDI’s board of directors, and NDI Director for Gender, Women and Democracy, Sandra Pepera, were featured on PBS’s To The Contrary on Friday, September 29, 2017. The show discussed numerous issues of global importance, including NDI’s #NotTheCost campaign aimed at stopping violence against women in politics.

Violence Against Women in Politics: Research on political parties in Honduras

Democracy, as an ideal of political organization and as a form of coexistence, has historically signaled a demand for greater equality and representation. The contemporary debate on democracy focuses on the capacity or inability of the political system to manage and represent the interests and needs of the population, considering its diversity, as well as the capacity to neutralize the historical structural expressions of inequality and discrimination towards broad sectors of the population.

September 19, 2017

Youth in Nicaragua Turn Organizing Skills Into Improvements for Their Communities

Nicaragua’s democratic institutions have eroded substantially over the past decade, to the degree that many Nicaraguan youth do not see viable options for making change in their communities or country through politics. Through grassroots organizing, a group of Nicaraguan youth have found ways to exercise their right to hold elected officials accountable and to secure action to bring about improvements in their communities.

SUBMISSION DATE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 31: CEPPS Announces Grants For Non-U.S. Organizations Working To Increase Electoral Participation Of Marginalized Communities

SUBMISSION DATE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 31

Washington, D.C. — The Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) today announced a new grants program designed to increase the political participation of historically marginalized populations in electoral processes. Qualified applicants include non-U.S.-based regional and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or private, non-profit organizations, professional associations, and relevant special interest associations or coalitions.

Change My Community Toolbox

Change My Community contains tools and guidance for young people to lead local-level, grassroots advocacy campaigns. This practical tool, which NDI developed in cooperation with the University of Kansas, contains links to the Community Tool Box, which is a free, online resource for those working to build healthier communities and bring about social change.

Youth Political Participation Programming Guide

The Youth Political Participation Programming Guide is designed to help democracy and governance practitioners deliver more effective youth programs. The guide draws on the needs and perspectives expressed by young political leaders and activists from four global regions, lessons learned from NDI programs involving youth, and the work of other democracy & governance assistance organizations.

July 14, 2017

New NDI Resources Respond to the Political Aspirations of Young People

NDI announced the release of two new online resources -- the Youth Political Participation Programming Guide and the Change My Community platform -- for strengthening youth political participation. These resources respond to the aspirations of young women and men around the world to become more politically organized and active, and make their voices heard.

NDI Poll: Improved Security Provides Opening for Cooperation in Iraq, March - April 2017

NDI's most recent national survey on Iraqi citizen attitudes reveals a renewed sense of unity and optimism as the army makes gains against ISIS. This research was conducted from March to April 2017.