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Burma: Monks on Speaking Tour Press for Change
A year after Burma's Saffron Revolution, the International Burmese Monks Organization (IBMO), a group of monks living in exile, is working to spread the word about conditions in their country. NDI worked with the IBMO to send a delegation to Indonesia to encourage discussion in the region of the Burma situation. The monks met with Indonesian leaders who encouraged their efforts.
 Key Peace Negotiators Discuss Helsinki Talks On Iraq
At a recent NDI forum, central players in the Northern Ireland and South Africa peace negotiations talked about their participation in 2007 and 2008 Helsinki talks on Iraq that resulted in an agreement signed by 37 leaders representing all political factions in the country. Drawing parallels between the conflicts in Iraq and their own countries, the speakers reflected on how their experiences allowed them to engage the Iraqis on constructive frameworks for moving toward peace.
 Angola: NDI Assists Organization Monitoring Parliamentary Elections
The Institute worked with The National Platform, an Angolan network of provincial election monitoring organizations, to enhance civil society participation in the election process ahead of the Sept. 5 election. The vote, Angola's first since 1992, took place in a generally peaceful way.
More: Forum at NDI Reflects on Conduct of Angolan Election
 Côte d’Ivoire: Youth Leaders Confer at Pre-Election Retreat
Twenty-six youth leaders representing Côte d’Ivoire’s 14 major parties and youth movements came together in Grand Bassam for a two-day retreat hosted by NDI to reflect on how Ivorian youth could help ensure that the country’s upcoming presidential election is executed peacefully. Youth leaders from across the political spectrum concluded the retreat by publicizing an 11-point joint statement and action plan for a peaceful poll, a notable event in a country where young people have been at the forefront of the country’s political upheavals since the early 1990s.
 HDAC Program Offers Comparative Look at Legislative Committee Work
Eighteen committee and subcommittee chairs from four House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) partner countries - Afghanistan, East Timor, Haiti and Liberia - participated in a week-long program on the function of committees within the U.S. House of Representatives. The program was sponsored in conjunction with NDI, the International Republic Institute and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
 Zimbabwean Leaders Reflect On Power-Sharing Agreement
Representatives from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and civil society weighed in on the political implications of “Zimbabwe’s New Deal” – a historic agreement between ZANU-PF, the longtime ruling party, and the two formations of the opposition MDC that many hope will lead to an effective unity government – at a Sept. 16 event organized by NDI and Freedom House.
 Leadership Academy Brings Together Women from Middle East, North Africa
Women from seven countries took part in a nine-day program — organized by NDI in Doha, Qatar — to learn skills to help them become political leaders in their communities.
 Iraqi Youth Share Ideas, Build Skills at NDI Leadership Camp
The 'Youth for Change' camp, hosted by NDI, brought together young people from across Iraq to share ideas about problems affecting youth in their regions, identify issues of national concern and strategize about solutions.
Elections
 Macedonia: EU Aspirant Confronts Problematic Elections
Generally peaceful parliamentary elections on June 1 were marred by instances of violence and irregularities, placing renewed emphasis on the need to create and sustain democratic political practices. With efforts centered around a political party code of electoral conduct, NDI is helping Macedonians bring these issues to the fore.
Previously:
Political Parties Commit to Democratic Election Standards
New NDI Publications Focus on Candidate Selection, Election Laws and Constituent Relations
Three new NDI publications address different aspects of the democratic process – selecting candidates for legislative office, establishing the legal framework for democratic elections and conducting effective constituent relations.
Political Parties and Democracy In Theoretical and Practical Perspectives: Selecting Candidates for Legislative Office
Promoting Legal Frameworks for Democratic Elections
Constituent Relations: A Guide to Best Practices
Pre-Election Delegation Assesses Electoral Environment In Bangladesh
An NDI delegation has urged election officials in Bangladesh to ensure a more impartial electoral environment for parliamentary polls expected on Dec. 18. In a statement, the delegation called for relaxed restrictions on domestic election monitors, greater protection for minority voters, and the lifting of an ongoing state of emergency.
Ivorians Find Inspiration in 2008 U.S. Election
In a video conference with more than 50 journalists and political activists from Côte d’Ivoire, Chris Fomunyoh, NDI’s senior associate for Africa, offered insights on the U.S. electoral process, the outcome of the presidential and congressional contests, and the role of youth, women and media in the historic 2008 election. With Cote d’Ivoire’s long-delayed presidential election expected soon, participants were eager to hear how Ivorian political parties could learn from the grassroots organizing techniques successfully employed during this election.
NDI Partner Calls for Calm and Transparency as Zambian Election Results are Tabulated
Preliminary results from a parallel vote tabulation (PVT) conducted during Zambia's Oct. 30 presidential election show a very close race. The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), a partner of NDI, called for calm from the electorate and transparency from election authorities Voters were choosing a replacement for President Levy Mwanawasa, who passed away while in office last August. FODEP and its partner organizations deployed 9,000 observers around the country during the vote.
 Financing Women in Politics
Join an e-discussion on financing barriers to women’s political participation at the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics). iKNOW Politics is an online workspace where women and their supporters can share strategies, experiences and examples on how to advance women in politics. Its network of politically active women now includes almost 3,300 members and 100 experts from more than 28 countries.
The E-discussion will be open through October 29.
U.S. Debate Commission and NDI Partner to Aid Countries Seeking Debates of Their Own
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has partnered with NDI to assist groups in dozens of countries that are seeking to organize their own debates.
The National Democratic Institute’s
2008 International Leaders Forum
More than 500 international leaders from over 100 countries came to observe the U.S. presidential nomination process firsthand in Denver as part of the 2008 International Leaders Forum (ILF) organized by NDI. Participants observed the Democratic National Convention proceedings and took part in a series of bipartisan panel discussions on the U.S. political process, foreign and domestic policy issues, and media coverage of the presidential race.
On Aug. 26, Colorado Public Radio interviewed NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright and former Bosnian President Zlatko Lagumdzija about ILF. Listen to the interview »
Budget Oversight Discussed at NDI/World Bank Institute Seminar
John Johnson, NDI’s director of governance programs, spoke with parliament members and staffers at the seminar about the international movement to establish parliamentary budget offices to improve budget oversight and accountability.
 NDI, IRI Presidents Discuss Democracy Promotion at Panel
Kenneth Wollack and Lorne Craner, the presidents of NDI and IRI respectively, spoke about a paper, New Directions in Democracy Promotion, which makes the case for America’s continuing engagement in democracy programs abroad and the opportunities and challenges that presents for the next administration. The two also discussed the paper Aug. 10 on C-SPAN's Washington Journal.
Bolivia: NDI Examines Link Between Political Reform And Poverty Reduction
A new report assesses how Bolivia’s political leaders can effectively administer democratic reforms to help alleviate the challenges of poverty.
Jordan: Middle East Civic Leaders Confer on Technology and Elections
 A two-day regional conference in Jordan, hosted by NDI, brought together civic leaders from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, West Bank/Gaza and Yemen to discuss innovative uses of information technology in election monitoring.
NDI ‘Changing the world of internet and Politics’ with Election Monitoring Technology
 In recognition of its breakthrough use of cell phone text messaging in election monitoring, NDI has been lauded as one of “the Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of the Internet and Politics.”
NDI is a non-profit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide by promoting citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.
More About NDI »
Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and the Women’s League of Burma will be honored at NDI’s annual Democracy Awards Luncheon on Dec. 15. The honors recognize both individuals and organizations that have championed democratic values and human rights. Christiane Amanpour of CNN will serve as master of ceremonies.
Sign up or learn more »
Recent Publications
Other Recent Publications:
Democracy Dialogue
 At a hearing of the United States Helsinki Commission, Laura Jewett, director of NDI's Eurasia programs, discussed the pending parliamentary elections in Belarus.
Read more »
NDI in the News
- Governing Party in Angola Wins Election in a Landslide, Official Results Show, New York Times, September 9
- Development Shows Up at U.S. Presidential Conventions and in the Party Platforms, Center for Global Development, September 8
- The World Isn't Vegas: What Happens There, Matters Here Say Global Poverty Experts at Democratic National Convention, Center for Global Development, September 2
- Global Leaders Study Democracy in Denver, Voice of America, August 29
- Diplomats Court Obama Foreign Policy Team at Denver Convention, Bloomberg News, August 28
More Stories »
Access Democracy is a resource library created by NDI to encourage an exchange of information and experiences among democratic activists and practitioners around the world. The library presents selected web sites and resource materials developed by the Institute and its in-country political and civic partners.
NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. To find more information on specific NDI programs around the world, click on a region below.
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