Internet access and powerful communication technologies are spreading around the world at an extraordinary rate, transforming the way citizens live and interact with each other. Social media drives a global conversation of ideas. Smartphone cameras produce on-the-scene reporting of events that can be put up for international analysis. Massive amounts of data are collected and made accessible in compelling visualizations.
This guide aims to identify areas of disconnect between political parties and citizens, and highlights possible areas of party reform. The document includes: key recommendations for reform-minded parties; case studies and personal experiences from party practitioners; and worksheets and critical questions to help parties think through practical applications for the suggestions provided.
Civic education is the bedrock of a thriving democracy–it empowers citizens to engage, participate, and hold institutions accountable. In an era of rapid change and growing challenges to democratic governance, it is more critical than ever that civic education programs are designed using evidence-based methodologies and best practices to maximize impact and inclusivity, and address evolving challenges and opportunities in democratic governance.
Credible elections are underpinned by transparency, accountability and trust. However, anti-democratic actors are increasingly engaging in information manipulation to obfuscate credible sources for information surrounding elections, tilt the playing field for unfair advantage, and erode confidence in electoral institutions and safeguards. Amidst these efforts to undermine credible elections comes the emergence of widely available generative AI (gen AI) tools, exacerbating these concerns and complicating ongoing efforts to improve electoral integrity.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has partnered with Fundación Multitudes, based in Chile, to develop this report on “Guidelines for the Construction of a Parliamentary Code of Conduct to Protect Women from Online Gender-Based Political Violence Based on the Experience of Latin America.”
Corruption is often argued to be one of the biggest threats to both development and democracy around the world. This helps to explain why anti-corruption campaigns have been a constant feature of both foreign aid programming and civil society activity over the last 30 years. These anti-corruption campaigns usually have an awareness-raising component that involves producing messages about the harm that corruption can do to a mass audience.
Political parties play an important role in aggregating and representing public interests, shaping political agendas and developing government policies and programs. Parties are also a vehicle for contesting power and earning the right to govern through peaceful elections. To become more competitive, parties can make room for diverse voices within their organizations and practice more inclusive policy-making and decision-making.
Election management bodies (EMBs) play a crucial role in ensuring electoral integrity by acting as impartial stewards of elections. Political parties serve as essential links between the government and the public. Effective engagement and communication between these entities are vital for fostering trust and credibility in electoral processes.
The increased presence of electronic technologies in our daily lives has brought considerable and concrete benefits. We can communicate with friends, family and colleagues seamlessly through email, social media or messenger apps, send or receive money on our mobile devices, have access to a wealth of information, and conduct our work more efficiently and with fewer mistakes.