Poll results consistently show that political parties in Latin America have low levels of credibility among citizens. According to regional Latinobarómetro poll results for 2010, almost six in ten Latin Americans think political parties are essential to democracy. However, less than one in three Latin Americans believe that parties are governing for the benefit of all. Because of the unique and indispensable role that political parties play in democracy, their lack of credibility in the region has contributed to a crisis of democratic governance and representation.

NDI honored Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman to lead an African nation, with the 2007 W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award for her courageous leadership in Liberia and distinguished role in encouraging women’s participation in the democratic process. A tireless campaigner for reconciliation, justice and democratic rule, President Johnson Sirleaf has set her country on the road to political and economic recovery.

The findings of an NDI report on the links between political reform and poverty reduction in Bolivia were the framework for round table discussions in late February that brought together 195 political actors from around the country and across the political spectrum, including local government representatives as well as party and civil society leaders