Bolivia
Brazil
Guyana
Jamaica
Paraguay
Contact Information
Bolivia
Political Party Strengthening
From 2004-2009, NDI helped political parties and organizations adopt democratic, transparent and responsive practices as established under Bolivian law. Program participants used the NDI Triangle of Best Party Practices as a diagnostic tool to assess current practices, envision the potential for change, and frame discussions about party reform in three essential areas: internal democracy, transparency and outreach to new sectors and civil society. In addition to various citizen and indigenous groups, participating political organizations have included Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR), National Revolutionary Movement (MNR), Fearless Movement (MSM), Plan Progress (PP), (Democratic and Social Power) PODEMOS and National Unity (UN).
In 2006, through three public candidate debates prior to the constituent assembly elections, 10 parties and citizen groups, including MAS, MNR, PODEMOS and UN, debated substantive policy issues and responded to questions from over 400 members of the public. The parties of the leading presidential candidates in the 2005 general elections, including MAS, MNR, PODEMOS and UN, presented their parties’ economic proposals for discussion at a series of NDI-organized events.
Responding to party requests for technical assistance, in 1993, NDI conducted an international seminar on political party legislation pertaining to the topics of party fundraising, constitutional recognition of political parties and internal party democratization.
Political Parties and Poverty
Troubling levels of inequality and poverty affect a large part of the Bolivian population, presenting challenges to democratic institutions. In 2004 and 2007, NDI conducted two assessments on the incentives for Bolivian political parties to pursue poverty reduction strategies. NDI used the assessment findings to facilitate dialogue among political and civic actors in six Bolivian departments on poverty reduction.
Women’s Political Participation
In 2008-2009, in collaboration with local Bolivian partners, NDI conducted a national series of multiparty women’s leadership workshops to prepare and empower women for successful political participation and potential public office candidacy.
In partnership with the Simon Bolivar Andean University (UASB), NDI conducted a 2007 political leadership training academy for 35 emerging women leaders to strengthen their ability to effectively engage in politics as well as promote a network of politically active women leaders. Participants represented a broad cross section of civil society groups and political parties.
In 2004, NDI implemented a nationwide women’s leadership school, Winning with Women, which trained more than 2,000 women on political leadership skills and campaign strategies for the 2004 municipal elections, and responsible municipal management practices.
Political Leadership Program
NDI engaged 31 Bolivian youth party members in its regional Political Leadership Program from 2000 – 2003 and 2007. Participants represented Nationalist Democratic Action ADN, Free Bolivia Movement (MBL), MAS, MIR, MNR, New Republican Force (NFR), PODEMOS, Civic Solidarity Union (UCS) and UN. This program sought to strengthen the leadership skills and ability of emerging political leaders to promote the modernization and renewal of political parties. The one-year program began with an intensive leadership development seminar and continued in-country with the emerging leaders implementing party-strengthening projects.
Citizen Dialogue
Through a series of community workshops in Cochabamba, La Paz and Santa Cruz, NDI worked to strengthen cross-sector dialogue between civil society, indigenous groups, political parties and elected officials regarding democratic development and reform issues. Workshop participants contributed to constructive dialogue and consensus building regarding community concerns.
Program for Regional Party Renewal (PREPA)
Using participatory training methodologies, NDI prepared 40 party trainers from eight parties, including ADN, MAS, Pachakuti Indigenous Movement (MIP), MIR, MNR, MSM, Christian Democrat Party (PDC) and UN. These trainers replicated the training on the topics of internal democracy, transparency and outreach to new sectors with members of their parties.
Brazil
Participatory Budgets
NDI began working in Brazil in 1986 when NDI and the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany responded to requests from leaders of Brazil’s National Congress to conduct a program on legislative oversight of the budget process.
The 1986 Congress was charged with drafting a new constitution that was eventually adopted in late 1988. The NDI and SUNY program was conducted in collaboration with the Pedrose Hora Foundation (PMDB) and the Tancredo Neves Institute (PFL), and helped legislators develop a constitutional structure for the adoption of federal budgets.
In May 2000, NDI brought representatives from Mozambican civic groups to Brazil to study civic participation and municipal government structures. In Porto Alegre, the delegation attended a Participatory Budget Council session where citizen delegates debated the 2000 budget and voted for budget priorities. In Fortaleza, the Mozambican delegation studied examples of public-partnership cooperation both at the municipal and state levels, including a citizen's forum created by entrepreneurs. A national seminar was conducted upon return to Mozambique at which participants shared experiences and examined ways to apply the lessons learned. NDI has also used Brazilian trainers for programs in Angola and Mozambique on constitutional development, constituent relations, local government, and political party building.
Regional Political Leadership Program
NDI launched the Political Leadership Program in 1999 to strengthen the leadership skills and ability of emerging political leaders to promote the modernization and renewal of political parties. In 2001, NDI included Brazilian parties in the regional Political Leadership Program.
Following a rigorous selection process, the one-year Political Leadership Program began with a leadership development seminar and continued in-country with the young leaders implementing concrete party-strengthening projects. Through this program, NDI worked with young leaders from the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB); Brazilian Worker’s Party (PT); Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB); the Liberal Front Party (PFL); and the Brazilian Progressive Party (PPB). During 2001, participants implemented party-strengthening projects pertaining to youth outreach, municipal government reform and political reform.
Guyana
From 1990 to 2004, NDI supported the democratic transition in Guyana through efforts to strengthen the legislature, increase the involvement of political parties and non-governmental organizations in decision-making as well as the electoral process.
During this time, NDI built and maintained the trust and confidence of a broad spectrum of Guyanese, including leaders and members of all the political parties, key actors in government ministries and civic activists.
Specifically, NDI promoted the constitutional reform process in Guyana by providing relevant materials and by sponsoring the participation of local and international advisors in the development of the Constitution Reform Commission. NDI supported civic education and the participation of civil society in the constitution reform process by providing technical assistance to conduct public consultations.
The Institute also contributed to legislative strengthening by building a parliamentary library and making the Laws of Guyana available in an electronic format on compact disc to the public, the judiciary and the legal community.
NDI worked with the Ministry of Local Government to improve the effectiveness of local government by training over 500 officials in administrative management skills. A Manual on How Local Government Works was produced and distributed to improve communication between citizens and their local representatives.
NDI also designed and implemented a comprehensive national voter education campaign and provided technical support to civic groups on election monitoring, contributing to increased transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
Strengthening the Capacity of Parliament
NDI worked with the Speaker’s Office and the political parties represented in Parliament to improve the legislative processes and strengthen parliament as an institution. NDI assisted the Parliament Office and members of parliament to develop a permanent committee system, increase research and administrative capacity of staff, and develop opportunities for increased public engagement in the work of Parliament.
Increasing the role for civil society in policy-making.
In 1991, NDI organized a symposium on efforts to promote public confidence and participation in election processes. As a result of this symposium, a group of civic leaders created a nonpartisan watchdog organization, the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB) to enhance the integrity of the electoral process in Guyana. Soon after its creation, the EAB played an integral role in verifying the accuracy of the preliminary voters’ list for the 1992 national elections, which were considered to be the country’s first open and democratic elections. NDI continued to work with the EAB as it organized Guyana’s first domestic election observation of the 1994 local elections, Guyana’s first local government elections in 24 years.
NDI implemented a women’s political participation program designed to increase their representation in elected public office. Over 300 women from diverse backgrounds were trained by NDI in campaign management, public speaking, issues development, outreach, fund raising and media skills in preparation for local government elections. NDI also trained women in media monitoring and conducted a survey regarding public perceptions of women in politics.
Strengthening Local Governance
NDI provided support to the Joint Task Force on Local Government Reform, whose mandate was to ensure the implementation of constitutional reforms that transfer greater autonomy to local government bodies. NDI also implemented the “Making Cities Work” project in the city of New Amsterdam and Anna Regina, geared toward community action in resolving local concerns in collaboration with local officials.
NDI created and distributed to every local councilor a handbook entitled, Building Effective Local Governance: A Guide for Local Councilors. The handbook was used as a tool by councilors and educators, in increasing understanding of Guyana’s local government laws, structure of central government and the roles and responsibilities of elected local officials.
From 1999-2004, NDI worked with The Carter Center (TCC) and the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) under the Democracy and Rule of Law program.
