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. 

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.

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.

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.