In a video conference with more than 50 journalists and political activists from Côte d’Ivoire, Chris Fomunyoh, NDI’s senior associate for Africa, offered insights on the U.S. electoral process, the outcome of the presidential and congressional contests, and the role of youth, women and media in the historic 2008 election. With Côte d’Ivoire’s long-delayed presidential election expected soon, participants were eager to hear how Ivorian political parties could learn from the grassroots organizing techniques successfully employed during this election.

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Decades-long misuse and mismanagement of oil and mining revenues have fueled devastating spirals of corruption, conflict and poverty in many resource-rich countries. Some international efforts, such as the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Campaign, are focusing on these problems through partnerships between industry, government and civil society. But many legislatures, particularly in Africa, are not addressing this critical area - despite the lawmaking and oversight responsibilities that make them uniquely placed to do so.

The disputed oil-rich Iraqi city of Kirkuk, claimed historically by both Kurds and Turkmen, encompasses all of the major challenges that impact the country as a whole -- sectarian clashes, security crises, disputed natural resources, forced displacement, and foreign political involvement. A referendum will determine whether the city will become part of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region or part of greater Iraq. Left unresolved, tensions between the different ethnic communities in Kirkuk could exacerbate conflicts throughout the country.

Broadcasts from wind-up and solar-powered radios distributed across remote areas of Southern Sudan are helping the region's citizens prepare for elections to be held in 2009. Since July, NDI has placed more than 40,000 of the distinctive blue-colored radios in the hands of prospective voters in Sudan's Three Areas -- Abyei, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.