At NDI, we are privileged to work with political and civic activists who work tirelessly to drive more responsive and accountable government. That is why NDI would like to introduce you to a new blog, DemocracyWorks.

This platform is a place where NDI staff share stories about the inspirational and often demanding work of democracy around the globe. In a world where terrorist attacks and cat memes vie for attention, democracy's everyday heroes are often overlooked. DemocracyWorks seeks to fill that gap by highlighting the stories of these democrats who are working for democracy and making democracy work.

Since its founding in 1983, NDI has worked in 132 countries, supporting the efforts of more than 15,000 civic organizations, 10,000 parliamentarians, 850 political parties, 1,300 women’s organizations and millions of individuals. In that time, the world has evolved and so has NDI, but one thing remains as true today as it was 30 years ago -- democracy is grounded in the efforts of dedicated individuals seeking to promote a more peaceful, prosperous and humane world. Visit NDI's new blog »

NDI Celebrates International Women's Day

In celebration of International Women’s Day this Sunday, NDI will host events across its global network highlighting this year’s theme, “Make it Happen.” The events will feature how we are working with women and men to achieve gender equality, women’s political empowerment and to advance democracy around the world. We will feature some of these events on our website and in our blog over the next couple of weeks.

On Tuesday, NDI will host an online “TweetTalk” with political party and gender experts on best practices for empowering women for stronger political parties. To join the discussion, follow the hashtag #HerParty. Read more »

On Wednesday, the Institute will host a discussion between Diane Abbott, a British member of parliament from Hackney North and Stoke Newington, and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL, on the progress of civil and political rights in the United States and the United Kingdom. U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards, D-MD, has been invited to moderate the conversation. You can sign up to attend here. Read more »

New Guide Provides Global Approaches to Candidate Debates

Over the last decade, a growing number of voters in more than 60 nations have tuned in to debates to learn more about candidates running for president, prime minister, parliament or local government offices.

Behind this rising global trend is the belief that debates provide a rare side-by-side and unfiltered comparison of candidates, promote accountability for campaign promises and can help decrease political tensions and conflict.

That principle is behind a new comprehensive 50-page guide released this month by NDI that provides information on how to organize, produce and evaluate candidate debates by drawing on lessons and examples from more than 20 countries. Read more »

Leaders of NDI Observation Missions Call for Nigerian Elections to be Held as Planned

Fourteen current and former leaders of NDI observation missions to Nigeria from 10 countries have joined the Institute in calling for Nigerian election authorities to adhere to the March 28 date for presidential and legislative elections. The polls were originally scheduled for Feb. 14 but were postponed at the last minute.

"It is our sincere hope that there will be no further delays to the polls as any additional postponement would endanger the credibility of the electoral process and its outcome," the leaders said in their statement. They called on Nigerian authorities and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commit to "maintaining the dates for the March 28 presidential and legislative polls and the April 11 state elections; providing regular updates on actions undertaken in preparation for the elections; and guaranteeing the polls are credible and inclusive." Read more »

Twenty MPs Participate in Parliamentary Exchange on Leadership in the Digital Economy

In many countries around the world, citizens have embraced social media and new technology more rapidly than legislatures -- which are, by their nature, often tradition-bound institutions.

Bringing governments into the 21st century involves strengthening policies on transparency, digital security and citizen participation.

That was the focus of a 10-day parliamentary exchange on "Leadership in the Digital Economy" co-organized by NDI with the Institute for Representative Government in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Silicon Valley to help elected leaders rethink approaches to citizen engagement in the digital age. Members of parliament from Colombia, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Nepal, Peru, Serbia and Tunisia participated in the program. Read more »

Local Mayors Foster Reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire

Two historically rival ethnic groups in Côte d’Ivoire, the Guéré and Yacouba people, met recently for a soccer tournament organized by mayor Jacqueline Gueu, one of the country's few women mayors.

Over the last two decades in Côte d’Ivoire, women have historically been excluded from leadership positions -- only 10 of the country’s 197 mayors are women.

The soccer tournament is one of many ways women mayors and political leaders are working with NDI to further reconciliation efforts in their communities following decades of conflict. NDI also helped organize dialogue sessions between the mayors and their constituents to address reconstruction-related disputes and strengthen the role of women in Côte d’Ivoire's reconciliation process. Read more »

Issue-Based Elections Help Bring Clean Water to Malawi

It is mid-morning and the temperatures are uncomfortably hot in the Mpomba area of Nsanje district in southern Malawi. Sixty-year-old Televina Zuwawo stands proudly as she waits to draw water from a newly dug borehole, a specially crafted narrow shaft drilled deep into the ground for extracting clean water.

Zuwawo can hardly believe that clean water -- normally hard to come by at this time of year -- is now easily accessible. “I never expected that in my lifetime the problem of water in my area would ever be solved,” said Zuwawo.

The Mpomba wells were conceived and implemented by local officials who were elected on the promise of bringing clean water to the community. That's unusual in a country where officials are frequently elected based on tribal allegiances rather than political party platforms. Read more »