Romania has made definite progress in integrating Roma into the country's political life, but there are still significant barriers that require attention before Roma can be considered full and active participants in the country's political system, according to the findings of a new NDI report, Assessment of Barriers to Roma Political Participation in Romania (also available in

NDI's latest report on public opinion in Sudan, entitled Imagining the Election, explores what citizens in Southern Sudan and the Three Areas know and expect of the country's planned 2010 parliamentary and presidential elections.

NDI is pleased to announce the release of its latest report on public opinion in Sudan. Entitled Imagining the Election, the report explores what citizens in Southern Sudan and the Three Areas know and expect of the country's planned 2010 vote.

The confidence of Nicaraguan citizens in their public institutions has declined significantly over the past two years, according to a new survey of Nicaraguan public opinion. 

By Kourtney Pompi, NDI citizen participation program manager

Article 26 of the Iranian constitution provides for civil society organizations (CSOs), stating that organizations are permitted if they “do not violate the principles of independence, freedom, national unity, the criteria of Islam, or the basis of the Islamic Republic.”  Subsequently, Iran’s 1982 “Law Concerning the Activities of Parties, Associations, Political Associations and Guild Associations, Islamic Associations or the Associations of Recognized Religious Minorities” outlines four types of allowable organizations.

NDI launched the Political Leadership Program (Leadership Program, LP) in 1999 to strengthen the leadership skills and ability of emerging political leaders to promote the modernization and renewal of political parties.