NDI - Nicaragua

Youth Dialogues Engage the Next Generation of Leaders in Nicaragua

blesswing — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 13:53:33 +0000

While youth in Nicaragua make up one quarter of the country’s population, the next generation of leaders faces significant barriers to getting involved in their country’s political process.

In 2014, reforms to the Nicaraguan Constitution increased the authority of the president and limited the ability of citizens, including young people, to get involved in the political process.

At the time, national public opinion polls indicated that 70 percent of Nicaraguans were unaware of the reforms, and those who were aware were unable to identify the specific changes. The reforms removed presidential term limits, granted presidential decrees the authority of law and eliminated vote thresholds, thereby making it possible for the president to be elected even with very low voter turnout.

From February through June this year, NDI and three local partners launched a series of youth dialogue initiatives, called dialogos ciudadanos, which were seminars aimed at engaging young people in critical thinking about how the constitutional reforms affect their daily lives. The three local partners represent different sectors of Nicaraguan society: Caritas, a faith-based organization; Meeting Points (Puntos de Encuentro), a women’s rights organization; and the Nicaraguan Institute for Development (El Instituto Nicaragüense de Desarrollo), an organization that promotes responsible and innovative entrepreneurship.

Over the course of the four month program, NDI and its partners held 91 dialogues, involving more than 2,250 participants. Each dialogue hosted 20 to 30 youth participants. The dialogues helped young people understand why participation is important. At the start of each dialogue, the participants shared their expectations and collectively developed dialogue rules that promote respect for diverse opinions. The act of developing their own rules set the stage for thinking about how the constitutional reforms have affected participation in society.

Participants then sharpened their critical thinking and communications skills through group presentations, team-building games, short skits and individual reflection. Meanwhile, instructors led discussions on a variety of governance and democracy issues, including citizenship, rule of law, constitutionalism and recent reforms to the constitution, among others. With the knowledge and analytical skills acquired at the dialogues, young participants analyzed how political issues affect their lives, families and their surrounding environments.

Surveys conducted before and after the dialogues show that the sessions helped to inform young people about the constitution and reforms, and increased their interest in how public policy affects their daily lives. Commenting on the benefits of attending a dialogue, one participant explained: “I learned about the Constitutional Reforms of 2014 and how to work as a leader in my community.”

Beyond the crucial first step of motivating youth to think critically, the dialogues program also encouraged youth to take on leadership positions in their communities. At the end of each dialogue, participants pledged to talk about the constitutional reforms with their families and peers and look for ways to promote citizen participation and civil rights. Subsequently, 75 percent of respondents in a follow-up survey said they have upheld their pledges.

The dialogues are part of a larger campaign facilitated by NDI and its partners to engage youth in Nicaragua’s political process. Other campaign activities include a weekly partner-run radio program, television programming, a series of university debates, a "youth creative expo" that encouraged student to express abstract political concepts and connect them to daily life, and an active social media presence. The campaign has developed an online following, including a Facebook page with more than 4,500 likes, a Twitter handle, a YouTube channel and the Dialogo Ciudadano website.

NDI’s program in Nicaragua is implemented through the support of USAID’s Mission in Nicaragua.

On International Youth Day (Aug. 12) at 10 a.m. ET, NDI will host a Twitter discussion on how political parties can boost youth political participation. Find out how to join the conversation: https://www.ndi.org/tweet-talk-youth-participation

To learn more about NDI’s youth programs, click here

Nicaragua Leadership Academy Reunion Connects Young Leaders

Student's Moving Testimony on Sanitation Sparks Renewed Efforts

Tunisian Youth Focus on Building Blocks of Party Organizing

Published on August 10, 2015

LGBTI Groups in Guatemala and Nicaragua Unite for Equality

kcyr — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 13:48:33 +0000

LGBTI leaders from Nicaragua and Guatemala pose during an NDI-sponsored three-day exchange in Guatemala City

LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) groups, both in Central America and elsewhere, face a common challenge: how to build coalitions around a common cause among diverse people and groups who do not always share the same needs or goals.

Although members of LGBTI communities are generally lumped together, the populations behind each letter are diverse and may be pushing to advance different issues. For example, many lesbian, gay and bisexual advocacy groups focus on marriage equality, whereas transgender groups often advocate for gender identity laws, an issue that does not directly affect the “L,” “G” or “B” communities. In Guatemala and Nicaragua, LGBTI groups argue that these tensions between groups within the larger community often weaken organizations and put their missions at risk.

To support LGBTI leaders in forming a stronger, unified voice on equal rights, NDI hosted an exchange in Guatemala City from July 15 to 17. During the exchange, activists and experts from Nicaragua and Guatemala discussed topics ranging from coalition building to crafting social media advocacy strategies, and witnessed the first political debate on LGBTI issues held in Guatemala.

The Nicaraguan activists emphasized that every LGBTI group should begin with the principles of respect and inclusion and the recognition that, despite members’ differences, they are all working toward the same goal of dignity and equality. “We are stronger together,” noted Marvin Mayorga, director of the Institute for Sexual Diversity Human Rights (Iniciativa desde la Diversidad Sexual por los Derechos Humanos, IDSDH). “We must take on each other’s causes as our own. There is no hierarchy; no one population’s cause is more important than another’s.”

In terms of spreading a shared message and gaining support for LGBTI rights, presenters and participants agreed that the first step of any campaign is making the LGBTI community more visible and educating the general population about what it means to be LGBTI.

“We want people to understand, for example, what it means to be a transgender woman, because as humans we tend to discriminate against people or things we don’t understand,” said Venus Caballero Lopez, executive director of the Organization for Transgender People (Organización de Personas Transgéneras, ODETRANS). She stressed that awareness campaigns do not have to be expensive, and showed an example of a short video that her group had created on a small budget. “If you have a social media account and a camera, you can spread your message. Many LGBTI organizations are underfunded, but we shouldn’t use that as an excuse not to be active,” she added.

NDI Guatemala arranged for six candidates from five political parties to participate in a debate on LGBTI issues in the upcoming elections, followed by audience questions. The debate was the first of its kind to take place in Guatemala, and offered Guatemalans the chance to learn candidates’ stances on key LGBTI issues, such as gender identity laws, anti-discrimination ordinances and violence prevention.

The debates also provided a unique opportunity for the Nicaraguan participants to witness political debates, which are not held during Nicaraguan elections. The Nicaraguan activists later said that watching these debates helped them generate ideas for bringing LGBTI issues into the electoral context for the 2016 elections.

Representatives from Guatemalan LGBTI groups reported that this was the first time that they had been offered a space to communicate with politicians, and expressed the hope that it represented the beginning of a conversation on LGBTI issues in Guatemalan politics.

Funding for LGBTI programming in Nicaragua and Guatemala is provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Guatemala program was implemented in collaboration with the International Republican Institute and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

To learn more about NDI's work with LGBTI communities, click here.

Published on August 5, 2015

Civic Updates

vrao — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 17:55:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Resource Type:

Civic Update

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Issue 50: A Matter of Political Space (April 2016)	1.06 MB
Issue 49: Social Movements (January '16)	1.22 MB
Issue 48: Peace, Security and Democratic Resilience (August '15)	818.41 KB
Issue 47: Integration (April '15)	1011.57 KB
Issue 46: The Infomediary Role of NDI Partners (Jan. '15)	339.19 KB
Issue 45: The Role of Dialogue in Deepening Democracy (Sept. '14)	1.84 MB
Issue 44: Taking Advantage of Political Entry Points to Improve Meaningful Engagement (May '14)	1.12 MB
Issue 43: Political Inclusion of LGBT Population (Jan. '14)	1.43 MB
Issue 42: Radio as an Effective Communication Tool (Aug. '13)	1.48 MB
Issue 41: The Use of ICT to Enhance Citizen Participation (May '13)	1.57 MB
Issue 40: Supporting Inclusion of Marginalized Ethnic and Religious Groups (Dec. '12)	1.87 MB
Issue 39: Public Opinion Research (Sept. '12)	1.69 MB
Issue 38: Youth Programming (May '12)	1.83 MB
Issue 37: Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities (Jan. '12)	1.72 MB
Issue 36: Organizational Development (May '11)	1.1 MB
Issue 35: GOTV, Voter Information & Voter Education (Jan. '11)	1.04 MB
Issue 34: Structuring and Maintaining Partnerships (Sept. '10)	306.87 KB
Issue 33: Political Process Monitoring (May '10)	419.89 KB
Issue 32: Defending Space for Citizen Participation (Aug. '09)	204.87 KB
Issue 31: Best Practices for Meaningful Citizen Engagement (April '09)	540.61 KB
Issue 30: Context Matters (Jan. '09)	311.87 KB
Issue 29: Voice, Space and Accountability (Aug. '08)	869.11 KB
Issue 28: Communications Tools (May '08)	207.88 KB
Issue 27: Using Information and Communications Techonologies (Jan. '08)	486.89 KB
Issue 26: Working with Marginalized Populations (Sept. '07)	283.24 KB
Issue 25: Ten Years of Civic Updates (July '07)	258.56 KB
Issue 24: Making Democracy Deliver (Feb. '07)	413.86 KB
Issue 23: Positive Partnerships with Local Groups (May '06)	268.06 KB
Issue 22: Political Activism for People with Disablities (Dec. '05)	458.7 KB
Issue 21: Local Fundraising and Volunteer Recruitment (July '05)	221.65 KB
Issue 20: Tips from NDI Practioners (April '05)	561.26 KB
Issue 19: Get Out The Vote (Dec. '04)	496.75 KB
Issue 18: Involving Youth in the Political Process (July '04)	277.27 KB
Issue 17: Monitoring as a Driver of Change (Feb. '04)	488.58 KB
Issue 16: Citizen Surveys and Other Organizing Tools (Nov. '03)	546.03 KB
Issue 15: Making University Connections (Aug. '03)	579.18 KB
Issue 14: Focus Groups (May '03)	334.74 KB
Issue 13: Civic Forum (Nov. '02)	279.56 KB
Issue 12: Coalition Building (Jan. '02)	195.45 KB
Issue 11: Assessment Methods (Aug. '01)	84.74 KB
Issue 10: Partnership Approaches (April '01)	109.87 KB
Issue 9: What's Voting All About? (Oct. '99)	82.5 KB
Issue 8: Global Seminar on Advocacy and Democracy Development (June '99)	481.85 KB
Issue 7: How Civic Programs Increase Women's Participation in Processes (Dec. '98)	962.34 KB
Issue 6: Post-Conflict and Ethnic Divided Societies (July '98)	120.75 KB
Issue 5: Assessing Programs (March '98)	81.99 KB
Issue 4: Training (Nov. '97)	98.85 KB
Issue 3: Resources and Communication (July '97)	74.43 KB
Issue 2: Advocacy (April '97)	94.31 KB
Issue 1: Program Highlights from Around the World (Feb. '97)	121.71 KB

Sandra Pepera

skincaid — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 18:41:17 +0000

Sandra Pepera is a career diplomat and international development professional. Before joining NDI as its director for Gender, Women and Democracy in 2014, she spent thirteen years as a senior officer at the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), including leading programs in the Caribbean, Rwanda-Burundi and Sudan. Prior to joining DFID, Sandra spent time in British domestic politics; lecturing in political science and international relations at the University of Ghana; and as a political analyst in the Political Affairs Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She has a portfolio of skills and experience which include strategy development, political and risk analysis, diplomacy, general management and corporate governance.

Much of Sandra’s career has been spent working in or on transitional economies, focusing on the building of resilient and inclusive institutions. She led work on women and politics at the University of Ghana and in outreach public policy during the period of intense and unstable political transition in the early 1990s. This included participating in a program that supported the ANC Women’s League during South Africa’s transition from apartheid to majority democratic rule in 1993.

Sandra is a member of the Cambridge Sustainability Leaders Network, the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Global Board Ready Women initiative, and the International Advisory Board of the Commonwealth Journal for International Affairs (the Round Table). She holds the Financial Times Diploma for Non-Executive Directors, and serves as a trustee for the pension fund of an intergovernmental organization.

Nicaragua Leadership Academy Reunion Connects Young Leaders

dleonard — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:02:09 +0000

Their names are scattered across a map of Nicaragua.

Jaime Peters Flores is vice president of the Municipal Council of Adolescents and Youth in the municipality of Puerto Cabezas-Bilwi.

Yohana Vanesa Ramírez García was appointed by her party, Partido Liberal Independiente (PLI), to be electoral department chair in Nueva Segovia, where she is working toward restructuring the party.

Victor Lenin Tobias is a member of the Sandinista National Liberation Front’s (FSLN) municipal training team in the department of Masaya.

Their names are scattered across a map of Nicaragua.

Jaime Peters Flores is vice president of the Municipal Council of Adolescents and Youth in the municipality of Puerto Cabezas-Bilwi.

Yohana Vanesa Ramírez García was appointed by her party, Partido Liberal Independiente (PLI), to be electoral department chair in Nueva Segovia, where she is working toward restructuring the party.

Victor Lenin Tobias is a member of the Sandinista National Liberation Front’s (FSLN) municipal training team in the department of Masaya.

They are among 150 youth activists, political party members and civil society representatives from across Nicaragua who came together for the annual reunion of graduates of the Certificate on Leadership and Political Management (CLPM) program. The program is the joint initiative of a consortium of the American University of Managua (Universidad Americana, UAM), the University of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions (Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense, URACCAN) and the Institute for Development and Democracy (Instituto para el Desarrollo y la Democracia, IPADE), with support from the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) and NDI. In its fourth year, CLPM is a training program aimed at equipping Nicaraguan young with skills and knowledge to govern effectively and become community leaders.

This year’s reunion marked the official launch of RedEs (Network of Graduates, Red de Egresados y Egresadas), a network designed to bring the program’s 1,300-plus graduates together to network informally, communicate with each other via CLPM social media and receive follow-on support from NDI and its partners to help them design and carry out advocacy and political projects.

The network’s first activity is United Voices (Unamos Voces), an initiative that brought together five municipal groups made up of members from political parties and civil society. Participants were trained to develop and administer questionnaires to poll youth in their communities about issues affecting quality of life. With the information, the groups are starting community initiatives on issues important to their municipalities, ranging from security to garbage collection to rural clean water.

During the RedEs launch, alumni networked with graduates from different years. At booths set up at the event, participants could make recordings to share with other attendees describing what they were doing with their new skills, and create a profile and map their location so they could find other activists in their area. They also could share their aspirations for the Nicaragua they want to build on pieces of colored paper that were posted for others to see. “I want a Nicaragua where all children have access to quality education,” wrote one graduate.

Participants enter their information on a Google map to stay connected to fellow graduates.

Participants were able to sign up for United Voices and Movie Forum (Cine Foro), a RedEs initiative that uses movies to explore democratic values. Participants will be given a kit that includes a movie addressing democratic issues — Invictus, for example, which is set in South Africa after the dismantling of apartheid — with a series of questions to guide conversations about democracy and citizen activism. Graduates also heard from a group of Chilean youth who successfully organized their communities to save a nature reserve in the north of Chile.

The CLPM training program, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), takes place biannually in five locations across the country: Managua, the capital city; Leon on the Pacific coast; Matagalpa in the north; and Bilwi and Bluefields in the Caribbean coast regions, where most of the country’s indigenous and Afro-Caribbean citizens live.

Read more:

Published July 7, 2014

Empowering Women for Stronger Political Parties: A Good Practices Guide to Promote Women's Political Participation (Now available in Burmese)

fstovall — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 14:31:07 +0000

Author:

Julie Ballington

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute United Nations Development Programme

Published Date:

10/31/2011

Resource Type:

Manual|Handbook

Language:

Arabic, Burmese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, Urdu

English

Arabic

French

Spanish

Russian

Urdu

Attachment	Size
Read the manual (English)	2.49 MB
Read the manual with case studies (English)	3.45 MB
Read the manual (Arabic)	1.9 MB
Download the poster (Arabic)	1.18 MB
Read the manual (Burmese)	4.59 MB
Read the manual (French)	2.57 MB
Download the poster (French)	670.54 KB
Read the manual (Russian)	2.82 MB
Download the poster (Russian)	256.16 KB
Read the manual (Spanish)	2.59 MB
Download the poster (Spanish)	680.95 KB
Read the manual (Urdu)	3.74 MB
Read the manual with case studies (Albanian)	10.91 MB

Equal Access: How to Include Persons with Disabilities in Elections and Political Processes

dleonard — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 14:59:44 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

03/06/2014

Resource Type:

Manual|Handbook

Language:

Arabic, English, French, Indonesian, Russian, Spanish, Uzbek

English

Arabic

Spanish

Russian

Attachment	Size
Download the manual in Arabic	2.54 MB
Download the manual in English	3.24 MB
Download the manual in French	2.36 MB
Download the manual in Indonesian	16.34 MB
Download the manual in Russian	2.37 MB
Download the manual in Spanish	16.87 MB
Download the manual in Uzbek	3.85 MB

Watch the video: Nuevo liderazgo nicaragüense

dleonard — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 19:47:39 +0000

El Diplomado en Liderazgo y Gerencia Política promueve un liderazgo transformador, incluyente e inspirado en los valores esenciales de la democracia. ¡Visitá www.dlgpnicaragua.com y conocenos más!

A ‘Head Start’ for Women Mayors and Councilors in Nicaragua

fstovall — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 17:59:03 +0000

A revision to Nicaragua’s law on municipal elections last year required political parties to put up equal numbers of women and men as candidates for mayor and city council. It also increased the number of city council seats in each municipality. The result has been more women than ever winning races for mayor and city council.

One of them was Antonia Rizo, a city councilor in San Sebastian de Yal. “When I arrived at my position, I was afraid to speak,” she said, because of lack of familiarity with the city’s legal system.

And she was not alone.

Women politicians from Puerto Cabezas work together during a training.

And she was not alone.

While having more women in government is a plus for gender equality, many of the new office holders felt ill-equipped to handle the challenges of their new positions, having had little opportunity to participate in politics.

To help them become acclimated to life in office, NDI and UN Women brought together mayors and councilors elected in 2012 for a series of trainings entitled, “Getting a Head Start: Successful Female Politicians.” Conducted in three two-day sessions from May to October, the trainings were held in four cities - Managua, Matagalpa, Bilwi and Bluefields - to make them accessible to women across the country.

The program, with 102 participants from six political parties, was led by municipal and gender experts from Nicaragua and the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The training covered such topics as municipal law, public policy and constituent communication, and used videos and group exercises, among other techniques.

One participant who welcomed the emphasis on cross-party communication was Yamilet Baldelomar, a councilor from El Rama. She said that because of the workshop her “leadership level has increased” and she can now “build rapport with citizens regardless of their political affiliation.”

The program also provided a rare opportunity for female politicians from across Nicaragua to meet and network.

“This course has helped us feel more secure, has motivated us and enabled us to implement new strategies in our towns, and to work in accordance with regulations and legal statutes,” said Nelda Damaris Mendoza, the vice mayor of Ciudad Antigua. And being able “to provide this information to the rest of the municipal government, allows us to be models of good governance.”

Ivania Hooker, a councilor from Bluefields, said she also felt a new sense of empowerment.

“Personally, the course inspired me to commit to myself and to the society I’m a part of, to not be afraid of the stereotypes imposed by the men who feel that they will be at a disadvantage if women participate,” she said.

NDI and UN Women organized the program with funding from the United States Agency for International Development and the Melvin and Bren Simon Foundation.

Related:

Published Nov. 20, 2013

Increasing Women’s Political Participation Through Effective Training Programs: A Guide to Best Practices and Lessons Learned

fstovall — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:08:23 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

10/23/2013

Resource Type:

Training Manual

Language:

Arabic, English, French, Russian, Spanish

English

Arabic

French

Spanish

Russian

Attachment	Size
Download the manual (English)	994.16 KB
Download the manual (français)	1.02 MB
Download the manual (РУС)	1.31 MB
Download the manual (español)	1.08 MB
Download the manual (بالعربية)	787.23 KB

Training Program Prepares Nicaragua's Next Generation of Leaders

dleonard — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:18:19 +0000

Silvia Gutiérrez has been an active member of the Sandinista Renovation Movement (Movimiento de Renovación Sandinista, MRS) since she joined the party as a pollwatcher for Nicaragua’s 2006 presidential elections. After her bid for city council in her hometown of Managua in 2008 was cut short when her party was denied participation, she decided to improve her leadership and communication skills by attending a training program aimed at getting more young people involved in politics and civic life. Shortly after completing the program in 2011, the party chose her to run for the National Assembly, and in November of that year she was elected.

Gutiérrez is one of nearly 1,000 young leaders aged 16-35 who have taken part in the Certificate on Leadership and Political Management (CLPM), an annual five-part training program launched by NDI and its partners in 2010 aimed at equipping Nicaraguan youth with skills and knowledge to govern effectively.

Alumni from Nicaragua's leadership schools identify shared priorities.

Selected CLPM Profiles

Marlon Zamora

Marlon Zamora is the environmental coordinator for NIQUIPO, a local NGO in Nueva Guinea focused on youth policy. After he participated in the CLPM program, Zamora was selected to attend a George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) seminar on leadership and effective governance in Washington last July. Upon his return, he became one of the key campaign advisers to the mayor of Nueva Guinea.

Read Marlon's full profile here.

Miriam Lara

Before participating in the CLPM, Miriam Lara, an active member of PLI, her political party, worked to train community residents in the department of Masaya to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. After completing the program, PLI selected Lara to run for city council. She was placed fourth on the party’s list of 32 candidates, but the party won only three seats.

Despite her narrow defeat, Lara continues to use the skills she learned in the CLPM to improve communities in Masaya by her work on the “Constructing Disaster Resilient Communities” project.

Read Miriam's full profile here.

Silvia Gutiérrez

After participating in the first year of the CLPM, Silvia Gutiérrez was selected by the MRS party to represent the department of Managua as a candidate for substitute deputy in the National Assembly. She was elected in November 2011 and credits the communication skills she gained through the program in helping her run a successful campaign.

“The tools that I gained have helped me become a more active member of the Assembly and to reach consensus across party lines,” she said.

Read Silvia's full profile here.

Gutiérrez is one of nearly 1,000 young leaders ages 16-35 who have taken part in the Certificate on Leadership and Political Management (CLPM), an annual five-part training program launched by NDI and its partners in 2010 aimed at equipping Nicaraguan youth with skills and knowledge to govern effectively.

Though nearly 70 percent of Nicaraguans are under 30, and more than 50 percent are women, both groups have been largely underrepresented in politics. Favoritism and a lack of transparency in Nicaraguan institutions have created a growing apathy and distrust among citizens. And political parties consistently rank last when citizens are asked about their confidence in democratic institutions, according to Latin American Public Opinion Poll surveys. The CLPM aims to overcome this by preparing young people like Gutiérrez to play a more prominent role in their parties and civic organizations through training focused on leadership, strategic planning, political communication and negotiation. It also concentrates on how to produce democracy that delivers results for citizens, including traditionally marginalized groups such as women, indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants.

Gutiérrez and nearly 50 other graduates from the program’s first two years gathered in Managua Dec. 5 for a day-long conversation about their experiences since graduating from the CLPM, and to share their successes as well as the challenges they have faced.

Participants discussed the goals they pursued with their political parties or civil society organizations, the obstacles they faced when attempting to carry them out, and what tools from the program were most helpful.

Twenty-two-year-old Marlon Zamora, an environmental coordinator for a Nicaraguan NGO, attended the program to strengthen his ability to communicate with local groups about the importance of protecting the environment. Afterward, Zamora was asked to help with the campaign of the mayor of Nueva Guinea, and soon became one of his key campaign advisers.

Miriam Lara was tapped by her party, the Independent Liberal Party (Partido Liberal Independiente, PLI), to run for city council in her home town of Granada after completing the CLPM last June. In November, she fell one spot short of winning a seat on the council, but credits the communication and campaign skills training she learned from the program for helping her come as far as she did.

Overall, participants were enthusiastic about the impact of the CLPM program on their work, with many saying it had helped them become more politically tolerant and work across political lines toward a more inclusive society.

“The leadership trainings helped me become more open and more tolerant in my political life,” said one graduate.

A number of graduates have risen to key positions within their party or organization, and several have run for municipal office. A Sandinista National Liberation Front (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional, FSLN) alumna was recently appointed to head the party’s women’s wing, while a PLI alumnus was appointed to direct his party’s departmental youth wing. Civil society organization members have also demonstrated impressive progress. A local women’s network is working to replicate the content of the CLPM for rural residents of the Chontales department.

Despite these successes, participants noted that they faced several common challenges, including resistance to change within their parties or organizations—particularly from established leaders—as well as difficulty navigating Nicaragua’s tough political environment. Participants also recommended improvements for the program, such as extending courses so they could examine topics in greater depth. CLPM organizers plan to use this information to improve the program’s curriculum for the next year.

For the afternoon portion of event, NDI brought together for the first time more than 100 graduates of Nicaragua's three most prominent leadership schools – the Youth Leadership School (ELJ) and the Leadership Institute for Civil Society (ILSC), in addition to the CLPM – to help them identify how to achieve common goals. Attendees included youth leaders from 15 departments and two autonomous regions representing diverse civil society organizations and eight political parties. Participants were grouped by interest areas – such as jobs, education, citizen participation and economic development – and then worked to develop a common agenda and identify how to address shared priorities, such as gender equity and citizen participation.

The CLPM consortium includes the American University (Universidad Americana, UAM), the University of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions (Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense, URACCAN), the Institute for Development and Democracy (Instituto para el Desarrollo y la Democracia, IPADE) and the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM). The training program, which is funded by the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID), takes place annually in five locations across the country: Managua, the capital city; Leon on the Pacific coast; Matagalpa in the north; and Bilwi and Bluefields in the Atlantic coast regions, where most of the country’s indigenous and Afro-Caribbean citizens live. Four hundred fifteen participants graduated from the first CLPM class which ran from Oct. 2010-May 2011, and 447 from the second, which ran from Jan.-June 2012. Students came from 12 political parties and more than 70 civil society organizations.

The third class of CLPM students will begin at the end of January 2013.

Related:

Published Jan. 14, 2013

Updated Jan. 15, 2013

Declaration of Global Principles for Nonpartisan Election Observation and Monitoring by Citizen Organizations and Code of Conduct for Nonpartisan Citizen Election Observers and Monitors

fstovall — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:06:44 +0000

Publisher:

United Nations

Published Date:

04/03/2012

Resource Type:

Declaration

Language:

Arabic, Bangla, English, French, Mongolian, Romanian Russian, Spanish

English

Arabic

French

Spanish

Romanian

Russian

Attachment	Size
Read the declaration (Arabic)	267.58 KB
Read the declaration (English)	897.79 KB
Read the declaration (Bangla)	8.27 MB
Read the declaration (Burmese)	302.33 KB
Read the declaration (French)	327.02 KB
Read the declaration (Indonesian)	16.61 MB
Read the declaration (Mongolian)	345.97 KB
Read the declaration (Romanian)	275.41 KB
Read the declaration (Russian)	286.22 KB
Read the declaration (Spanish)	326.57 KB
Read the declaration (Urdu)	370.99 KB

National Observers and the 1996 Nicaraguan Elections: Statement by NDI

fstovall — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:02:39 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

10/22/1996

Resource Type:

Statement

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the statement	1.29 MB

NDI E-news: Democracy Day, Libya, Pakistan, African Elections | Sept. 2011

fstovall — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:15:40 +0000

Sept. 15, 2011

Happy Democracy Day!

STAY CONNECTED

CONTRIBUTE

"Independence!" A woman casts her ballot in the January referendum creating the new country of South Sudan. Photo by Susan Stigant, senior program manager.

Sept. 15 is International Day of Democracy, an annual global celebration of human rights, the rule of law and other principles that unite democracies around the world. The day was designated by the United Nations to reaffirm the universality of democratic values and recognize the aspirations of people around the world to have a say in how they are governed and make free choices about how they live their lives.

Nowhere have those aspirations been more prominent this year than in North Africa, where popular uprisings have ousted dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. In Libya, the Institute has been working closely since April with the National Transitional Council (NTC) as it creates a plan for a constitution, elections, national security and the protection of civil liberties. In a country where political parties have been outlawed and maligned for 40 years, NDI is helping fledgling parties create platforms and attract supporters. Writing in the Washington Post, Les Campbell, NDI regional director for Middle East and North Africa programs, expressed optimism about the prospects of a successful transition and outlined the positive steps the council has taken already. Matyas Eörsi, resident country director in Benghazi, spoke to NPR about the high expectations — globally and in Libya — facing the country's new government.

For more than 25 years, in more than 70 countries, NDI has worked to strengthen new and emerging democracies. This Democracy Day, consider contributing to our work and support people in North Africa and around the world who want a voice in how their countries are governed.

Pakistan to Extend Political Reforms to FATA

President Asif Ali Zardari's recent decision to extend political and legal reforms to Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is the result of a lengthy effort by political parties and other organizations to bring more democratic systems of governance to a region considered a haven for militants and religious extremists. The reforms, supported by NDI, will allow political parties to form and operate in FATA for the first time, and will amend a draconian criminal code first enacted by the British in 1848.

Ensuring Women and Young People Take Part in the Political Process

Women and youth have a significant role to play in new and emerging democracies. In Sudan, caricature art helps engage young people who feel excluded from the political process. In Burkina Faso and Iraq, women are learning the skills they need to run for office and build successful political careers. In Nicaragua, the first class of graduates to earn a certificate in leadership and political management are ready to start their political careers. And in Afghanistan, one young woman is helping others prepare for careers in government by starting an internship program that places students in provincial council offices.

Celebrate Democracy with these Upcoming Events

Save the date! NDI will hold its annual democracy dinner on Nov. 7. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will headline the event, which also includes a panel discussion on the Arab Spring. The dinner and an awards ceremony will recognize those who have spent a lifetime supporting democracy.

On Sept. 23, Alassane Ouattara, president of Côte d'Ivoire, will speak at NDI, where he will discuss his government's efforts to rebuild the country's economy and foster national reconciliation in the wake of violence following last November's election. This event is full, but will be streamed live.

Toward Better Elections in Africa

Across Africa, countries are taking steps to ensure more transparent and accountable elections. A recent referendum in Liberia was monitored by the Elections Coordinating Committee, a civil society coalition that provided a nonpartisan assessment of the process and will monitor upcoming presidential and legislative elections. In Côte d'Ivoire, which recently experienced a violent crisis in the aftermath of its November presidential election, citizen election monitors gathered to discuss their role in mitigating violence in legislative polls scheduled for later this year. And in Zambia and Mauritania, NDI fielded delegations that assessed both countries' preparedness for upcoming elections and suggested improvements.

Coming Together for Common Goals

Democracy can't solve longstanding political or cultural divisions overnight, but it can bring different groups together to discuss issues and arrive at common goals. In Bosnia, eight politicians are reaching across party and ethnic lines to tackle the country's biggest challenges together. And in Honduras, where the effects of a 2009 coup and constitutional crisis are still reverberating, a series of "democracy dialogues" is bringing people together to find common ground.

Public Opinion Research for Better Policy Platforms

Public opinion research helps political parties and governments address the issues their constituents care about most. In Iraq, people want politicians to focus on jobs, the economy, and water and power delivery. In Somalia, focus group research shows that citizens are losing faith in their transitional institutions and are looking for ways to provide ideas to move their country forward. In Belarus, citizens distrust the Lukashenko regime and blame it for current economic problems. But they remain pessimistic about the prospects for opposition parties. And in South Sudan, citizens want to end tribalism above all else, seeing themselves primarily as Southern Sudanese.

NDI's Washington Office is Moving

NDI's new office

Update your address book! As of Sept. 19, NDI's Washington, D.C., headquarters will be located at 455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, on the eighth floor. All telephone numbers will remain the same.

NDI E-news: South Sudan, Burma, Tunisia | July/August 2011

fstovall — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:51:47 +0000

August 2011

Newly Independent South Sudan Looks To Future, Permanent Constitution

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Children march in the independence day parade in Juba

South Sudan became the world's newest country on July 9 after a January referendum that showed overwhelming support for independence. Richard Nuccio, NDI's senior director in the new country's capital, Juba, was invited to the independence festivities and captured the celebration in photos. "It was an amazing moment and I felt very privileged to be a part of it," he said later during an interview on WPFW's Africa Now!

South Sudan adopted a transitional constitution just before independence and will soon set about crafting a permanent one. NDI will work with a coalition of women's civic groups from throughout the country to submit recommendations for the new document. The coalition wants to be sure that gender quotas for all branches and levels of government are a part of the constitution and that full separation of powers is addressed.

In March and April, NDI conducted the latest in a series of focus groups it has been organizing since 2004. This latest round explored South Sudanese attitudes toward independence and the future of their new country. “What we heard in the past was a focus on separation,” said Traci Cook, researcher and author of the upcoming report. “We found that they are now turning the corner and beginning to look internally.” Participants saw themselves as South Sudanese first and foremost, and want to move past tribal discrimination and corruption in the new government.

NDI President Wollack Reflects on Returning to Burma after 16 Years

In June, NDI President Kenneth Wollack traveled to Burma to meet with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders. Wollack reports that little in the country has changed since his last visit, but that Suu Kyi remains the unflappable and optimistic leader he met in 1995. Read more»

Aswat Community Connects Activists in the Middle East and North Africa

The Arab Spring uprisings have underscored the impact that social media can have on advancing democracy. As early as 2005, NDI recognized social media's potential and launched Aswat, an online community for those in the Middle East and North Africa looking to make governments more responsive, transparent and effective. Now, recognizing the additional responsibilities and challenges facing citizen reporters, Aswat is training them on journalistic ethics and professional standards. Read more»

Civic Group Invites Nicaraguan Citizens to Participate in Election Monitoring

A new website launched by the Nicaraguan group Ethics and Transparency allows citizens to report any electoral problems that might compromise the November national elections. Read more»

New Report: Political Parties in Afghanistan

Based on 90 interviews with party representatives and civil society, this new report explores how Afghan political parties view themselves, what kinds of assistance would serve them best and ways they might work together in the future. Parties see themselves primarily as supporting individual candidates, rather than an ideology, and focus their activities on elections instead of planning party strengthening activities between polls. The review also revealed that Afghan parties are highly interested in modernizing their internal structures and promoting cross-party cooperation. Read more»

Opinion Research Shows Tunisians Concerned About the Future

Six months into their political transition, Tunisians are concerned about high levels of unemployment, according to the latest round of focus group research conducted by NDI. Tunisians are also concerned about personal security, but are more optimistic about gains in freedoms of expression and association. Read more»

New Library Helps Liberian MPs Write Legislation

A new library and research service in the Liberian parliament is helping lawmakers write legislation. Among them is Senator Gloria Musu Scott, who wanted to draft a bill providing domestic partnership benefits for those in common law marriages. So she visited Liberia's new Legislative Information Service (LIS) to find how other countries have handled the issue and conducted an Internet search that turned up similar laws in several U.S. states. This type of information would not have been available until the library opened a few months ago. Read more»

Mauritanian Parliament Seeks Citizen Input for Social Security Reform

Social security is a hotly debated topic in Mauritania. The current system is expensive, and the government is facing choices on whether to raise taxes, cut services or restructure the program. Rather than operating behind closed doors, the parliament has sought citizen input, holding a public meeting and asking leaders from civil society organizations to weigh in with their policy ideas. Read more»

As Mauritanians prepare for parliamentary and municipal elections tentatively scheduled for the fall, keep up with the latest political analysis and developments by subscribing to the Mauritania Elections Bulletin. Subscribe»

NDI - Nicaragua

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Empowering Women for Stronger Political Parties: A Good Practices Guide to Promote Women's Political Participation (Now available in Burmese)

Equal Access: How to Include Persons with Disabilities in Elections and Political Processes

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A ‘Head Start’ for Women Mayors and Councilors in Nicaragua

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Increasing Women’s Political Participation Through Effective Training Programs: A Guide to Best Practices and Lessons Learned

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Declaration of Global Principles for Nonpartisan Election Observation and Monitoring by Citizen Organizations and Code of Conduct for Nonpartisan Citizen Election Observers and Monitors

National Observers and the 1996 Nicaraguan Elections: Statement by NDI

NDI E-news: Democracy Day, Libya, Pakistan, African Elections | Sept. 2011

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NDI E-news: South Sudan, Burma, Tunisia | July/August 2011

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