This month, the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) is celebrating #CEPPSGlobalPride! In support of our global commitment to the empowerment and inclusion of marginalized populations in political processes, we’re recognizing the essential work of CEPPS partners to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) inclusion and equality. In this series, we are highlighting some of our partners around the world who are at the forefront of fighting for LGBTI equality and inclusion in democracy and governance. 

Earlier this week, NDI Board Chairman and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright spoke with Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Angelina Jolie about what it means to be risk-taking women. Their conversation was moderated by Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski founder of Know Your Value, a movement and multi-touchpoint platform that helps women recognize, and be recognized for, their personal and professional value by developing and inspiring individual growth. 

On June 4, NDI Ecuador held its fourth democracy webinar in the COVID-19 environment to launch the Democracy Code Reform Resource. The resource breaks down sweeping reforms passed in January 2020 to the Democracy Code, Ecuador’s electoral and political party laws.

Despite physical limitations due to COVID-19, NDI is continuing to partner with local legislators, political parties and community leaders in Colombia to support full participation and inclusion of women and underrepresented communities. In honor of Pride Month -- a reminder that democracy only works when every voice counts -- we examine ways NDI’s programs bring democracy’s promise to LGBTI Colombians, Afro-Colombians, indigenous populations, people with disabilities, women and more. 

The COVID-19 crisis presents new, unique challenges to politicians. Along with the serious consequences of the disease, public health measures -- such as social distancing and emergency lockdowns --  are limiting the traditional methods for conducting politics . Government officials and political party leaders alike are expanding their efforts toward effective public communication, legislative advocacy, financial oversight, and more. At the same time, many governments are expanding their powers to an unprecedented degree.

"Make Democracy and Governance a Keystone of the US Global Fragility Strategy" by Patrick Quirck and Lauren Van Metre was originally published on Just Security. 

In Libya, child members of ethnic minority groups begin school at a significant disadvantage. While the educational system is almost entirely based in the Arabic language, many ethnic minority families speak only their indigenous languages in the home. Elementary school students find themselves struggling to learn simultaneously, the concepts being conveyed and the language in which they’re being taught,; all in a context divorced from their cultural heritage and identity. 

Across Libya, the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI’s) partners have organized themselves to effectively address the COVID-19 crisis. In conflict-affected settings like Libya, responses from community stakeholders have bolstered and supplemented a limited central response. In Ajdabiya, NDI partner Nesaa Ra'dat (Pioneer Women), a CSO member of the “Not Before 18” campaign against child marriage, has done just that, forming a robust coalition to mobilize community resources to provide key services during this time.