Women activists from seven countries in the Middle East and North Africa gathered for the Young Women Leaders Academy at Education City in Doha, Qatar, in July 2008 to help gain the intellectual tools, comparative knowledge, and practical skills to become leaders in their communities.

"We know that democracy is the one road we can all walk down together," said NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright as she welcomed 500 international visitors from more than 100 countries to NDI's International Leaders Forum (ILF) at the Democratic National Convention in August.

A “Youth for Change” camp hosted by NDI brought together young people from across Iraq in July to share ideas about problems affecting youth in their regions, to identify their view of Iraq’s top two issues of national concern and to strategize about solutions.

Eighty-three activists ranging in age from 18 to 25 attended the camp, part of NDI’s Youth Empowerment Program (YEP). It marked the first time that the young people in the program—from different regions, ethnic backgrounds and religious affiliations—had been able to interact in person and share ideas.

Despite widespread skepticism about U.S. democracy promotion, democracies remain the most effective form of government to foster peace, internal stability, and social and economic development. A new paper co-authored by Kenneth Wollack and Lorne Craner – the presidents of the National Democratic Institute and International Rpublican Institute, respectively – makes the case for America’s continuing engagement in democracy programs abroad and the opportunities and challenges that presents for the next administration.