The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

NDI celebrated its 25th anniversary on May 10 by honoring two champions of democracy, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe and the Network of Chocó Women of Colombia, at an event hosted by NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright. Albright described Tsvangirai as "a courageous democratic leader of our time" as she presented him with NDI's W. Averell Harriman award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that have exhibited a sustained commitment to democracy and human rights. The award also recognized the democratic aspirations of the Zimbabwean people.

The life and democracy work of Gerardo LeChevallier,  NDI's former director of Latin America and Caribbean programs and country director for Haiti, was celebrated March 8 at a memorial held at the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC.   Mr. LeChevallier, 56, was serving as the head of the political affairs and elections units within the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti and died in the collapse of the UN headquarters building in Port-au-Prince during the earthquake in January.

The August 20, 2009 presidential and provincial council elections saw an historic increase in the numbers of women engaged in the political process. More than 300 women ran as candidates -- many of whom did so in spite of enormous barriers and at great personal risk, facing harassment and threats of violence against themselves and their supporters.