Stories

February 16, 2023

The Interdependence of Disability Rights, Political Participation and Democracy

Political participation is key to advancing disability rights and countering discrimination across all political spheres. Inclusive political systems and states can only be achieved if all sectors and segments of the population have equitable, accessible and open space to work together to advance collective priorities.

February 10, 2023

Dialogues about tomorrow: Armenia youth debates

Should the youth in Armenia emigrate to find greater opportunities? Should the government regulate social media to protect citizens online? Are connections more important than education and experience for youth to succeed? These are just a few of the pressing issues that Armenian youth debated as part of NDI Armenia’s Debathon youth debate program.

February 1, 2023

Sierra Leone: A groundbreaking gender equality bill passes

"By unanimous votes, the ayes have it," Dr. Abass Bundu, the speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, declared as his gavel hit the large wooden desk. Finally, after 13 months of deliberations, negotiations, and suspense, the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill, 2021 was passed by parliament on November 15, 2022. Two months later, President Julius Maada Bio signed the bill into law, surrounded by women activists and civil society, including NDI’s Senior Resident Director for Sierra Leone, Mohamed Konneh.

February 1, 2023

Elections come and go, but Gambia stays forever

During former president Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule, elections were perceived by many as a ‘rubber stamp’ for justifying a dictatorship. In the years following his democratic removal from power in the December 2016 presidential polls, elections have taken on a greater importance, allowing Gambian citizens to feel the power of their voice through their vote. Following this experience, Gambians hold high expectations for the integrity of their elections.

January 24, 2023

#LetHerLearn - Progress will follow

When Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters crooned, “We don't need no education, We don't need no thought control” to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall, performing in what used to be the “no man’s lot” between the two Germanys - authoritarian communist East and democratic West - a crowd of 350,00 present and hundreds of millions watching live in 52 countries, joined in unison “Hey, teacher, leave us kids alone!

January 3, 2023

Building an Anti-Corruption Youth Network in the Indo-Pacific

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) seeks to build youth capacity to participate in and collectively act on accountability and transparency issues through its Anti-Corruption & Transparency Initiatives Engaging Youth in the Indo-Pacific (ACTIVE Youth) program. The ACTIVE Youth program is managed by NDI Taiwan and includes program activities across four target countries: Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.

January 3, 2023

Kenyan Diaspora Community Reflects on the 2022 General Elections

It was a busy December in Washington D.C., as leaders from across the African continent attended the African Leaders Summit, and met with their American counterparts and diaspora communities. Days before the African Leaders Summit, the Kenya Diaspora Alliance - USA (KDA - USA), with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the U.S.

December 28, 2022

Democracy Defenders Honored at 2022 NDI Gala

The 2022 NDI Democracy Gala was a triumphal celebration of democracy and its defenders.

December 22, 2022

Preserving Civic Space Through Collaboration

In November, representatives from NDI’s civil society partners in Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan came together for a two-day virtual roundtable event addressing their respective advocacy efforts focused on the preservation of civic space. As countries across sub-Saharan Africa face a worrisome trend of democratic backsliding, NDI seeks to provide opportunities for civil society organizations (CSOs) to learn from their peers' experience operating in increasingly repressive environments and promoting greater respect and protection of civil liberties.

December 20, 2022

Climate Change Takes Center Stage in Nepal

Due to its high altitudes, diverse terrain and weather variability, Nepal’s environment is exceedingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The country faces flooding, landslides, monsoons, food shortages and a rapidly changing ecosystem. Climate change will have untold consequences on Nepal’s population, especially among rural and marginalized groups, and could cause economic, social and health problems. To mitigate these impacts, coordinated efforts among the government, citizens and the international community are needed.