Doctors and nurses from a U.N. hospital in South Sudan are treating patients in Munuki and Kator, two communities outside the capital that had no access to health care until now. The presence of the hospital staff grew out of a town hall-style meeting that was a first-time opportunity for residents of those communities to meet with their elected members of parliament.

Land disputes, lack of infrastructure and corruption were among the major concerns of more than 11,000 Cambodians who took part in a year-long series of 24 forums with their elected representatives in parliament. The results of the gatherings were published in a recent NDI report.

Nearly a year after Tunisia’s nationwide protests led to the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and inspired uprisings across the Arab world, Tunisians remain proud of their accomplishments and hold high expectations for their new government, according to recent focus group research conducted by NDI.

With the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, citizens are increasingly worried about the government’s ability to run the country — particularly to create jobs and provide basic services and security. Compounding the problem, Iraqis feel increasingly disconnected from their leaders, with limited opportunities to meet with elected officials and share their frustrations and grievances.