A group of politicians, civil society leaders and academics from the transatlantic community and emerging powers – including Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa – convened recently in Washington to discuss the potential for greater cooperation on democracy support. 

Millions of people around the world who have organized to monitor elections in their own countries often must brave difficult conditions and personal risk in a quest for responsive and transparent governance. While they share many goals and practices, they have not had a way, on their own, to connect with one another and benefit from the knowledge of their counterparts. Instead, they have relied on organizations such as NDI to help them share lessons and experiences.

Afghan women candidates speak at a pre-election rally in Kabul.

Where women have gained a political voice around the world, there have been tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and more sustainable peace.

Calls for Democratic Transition

NDI today condemned the government-backed violence that occurred in the wake of citizen protests in Tripoli, Benghazi and elsewhere, and joined international calls for the immediate cessation of attacks against Libyans who are exercising their right to peaceful assembly.