NDI - Pakistan

Teen Activist Receives Pakistan's National Peace Award

fgalleto — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:17:29 +0000

Malala Yousufzai, a 13-year-old girl from the tribal area of Swat, has been awarded Pakistan’s first ever Peace Award for Youth for her bravery in reporting the details of a bloody Taliban insurgency in the region.

Yousufzai wrote anonymous diaries for the BBC that related how the Taliban were blowing up schools for girls and engaging in killings and beheadings. In the absence of media reports, Yousufzai’s was the only voice the world was hearing from Swat.

Yousufzai (left) address an NDI political parties event.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani presented the National Peace Award to Yousufzai, which he said is now named for her and will be conferred annually on an outstanding Pakistani under the age of 18.

“I convinced my friends and other classmates of the importance of education and told them that our primary education will decide our future,” said Yousufzai. She said she pleaded with girls and their parents not to bow to Taliban threats against girls’ education and successfully convinced many families to continue educating their daughters. “I am thankful not only to the students but also to their parents for honoring my requests and sending their daughters back to school.”

Yousufzai is an active member of Awami National Party, which participates in NDI programs. In June 2011, she participated in an NDI-sponsored youth policy development workshop in Peshawar.

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Published Jan. 26, 2012

NDI Efforts for Promotion of Democracy Lauded | Dec. 1, 2011

fgalleto — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:27:07 +0000

Pakistan Observer | Link to story »

A delegation of National Democratic Institute (NDI) headed by Mr. Kenneth Wollack, President NDI, Friday called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Country Director NDI Mr. Peter Manikas, Ms. Sandra Houston, country representative, and Deputy Country Director Jumana Ealal, were accompanying Mr. Wollack.Senator Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Leader of the House in Senate, Senator Jahangir Badar, MNA Ms. Fouzia Habib and Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar were assisting the President during the meeting. Mr. Kenneth Wollack briefed the President about various activities of NDI for strengthening democracy in various countries of the world particularly in Pakistan. The President during the meeting appreciated the work of NDI for promotion of democracy and strengthening democratic institutions around the world and in Pakistan.

Link to story »

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Efforts to Strengthen Democracy Should be Acknowledged by International Community»

Zardari Asks World to Help Pakistan's Democracy | Nov. 19, 2011

fgalleto — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:55:01 +0000

Hindustan Times | Link to story »

Government efforts to strengthen democracy need to be complemented by the international community, said President Asif Ali Zardari who has been cited in a secret memo as fearing a military coup. Zardari on Friday said efforts of the government to strengthen democracy needed to be complemented by the international community so that the democratic procedures in the country were further strengthened, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

He was interacting with a delegation of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) headed by president Kenneth Wollack.

Link to story »

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NDI Delegation Meets President | Nov. 18, 2011

fgalleto — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:48:22 +0000

South Asian News Agency | Link to story »

A delegation of National Democratic Institute (NDI) headed by Mr. Kenneth Wollack, President NDI called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.

Country Director NDI Mr. Peter Manikas, Ms. Sandra Houston, country representative, and Deputy Country Director Jumana Ealal, were accompanying Mr. Wollack.

Link to story »

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The President of National Democratic Institute called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr»

NDI President Wollack Discusses Party Reform with Pakistani President Zardari

fgalleto — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:13:20 +0000

NDI President Kenneth Wollack met in Islamabad last week with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari for a wide ranging conversation that included discussion of Institute programs to support political reform in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and to strengthen Pakistani political parties.

Left to right: Sandra Houston, NDI country director; Peter Manikas, NDI regional director for Asia; and Wollack meet President Zardari.

Wollack also met with Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, as well as other leaders of ruling and opposition political parties, civil society and the diplomatic community.

NDI has recently embarked on a new five-year program in Pakistan, supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development, to strengthen the country’s political parties as they work to develop policies that give voice to grassroots political activists, particularly women and youth. The program is being conducted in partnership with the International Republican Institute, the Institute for Public Opinion Research and the Strengthening Participatory Organization.

In August, President Zardari extended political and legal reforms to FATA, the result of a lengthy effort by political parties and other organizations to bring a more democratic system of governance to a region considered a haven for extremists. This effort was facilitated by a series of round tables with senior leaders of 10 political parties that followed regional meetings in FATA beginning in 2008 with support from NDI in partnership with the Shaheed Bhutto Foundation (SBF). NDI’s FATA program, supported by the British Foreign Commonwealth Office, is continuing to work with political parties, parliamentarians and FATA citizens to reach consensus on additional areas for reform.

Prior to arriving in Pakistan, Wollack spent three days in Iraq, where he met with a number of political leaders, including Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al Nujaifi, Iraqi Vice President Tariq al Hashemi and Amar al Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. Additionally, Wollack met with representatives of civic groups, including the National Platform for Women, a coalition of political party members, civil society activists and government officials from across Iraq that is one of NDI’s partner organizations. NDI’s programs in Iraq support the long-term development of the Iraqi parliament, political parties and civil society organizations.

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Published Nov. 25, 2011

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

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

Sept. 15, 2011

Happy Democracy Day!

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"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.

Will the Long March to Democracy in Pakistan Finally Succeed?

fgalleto — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:11:01 +0000

Source:

USIP

Article Link:

Published Date:

07/01/2011

Pakistan has endured a cycle of alternating democratic and military rule since independence. A stable democracy has proved elusive due to the strength of Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies, religious parties’ support of the military at the expense of democracy, a compliant judiciary, weak and patrimonial political parties, and Western support for Pakistan’s dictatorships.

In this report commissioned by the U.S. Institute of Peace, Sheila Fruman, former NDI country director in Pakistan, addresses one of the fundamental challenges to stability in Pakistan: sustained democratic rule. The report discusses the successful civil society movement of 2007 and 2008 that led to Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf’s ultimate ouster from office, assessing the effects of the movement and the institutional changes triggered by it on Pakistan’s quest for democratic consolidation. While the cyclical pattern of democratic and military rule in Pakistan may not be obsolete just yet, there is much that the government, civil society, media, and the international community can do to strengthen democratic practices there, building on the work that the mass movement began.

Pakistan Amends Tribal Laws Said to Fuel Militancy

fgalleto — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:45:58 +0000

Source:

Washington Post

Article Link:

Published Date:

08/18/2011

Receiving rare domestic praise, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari authorized long-discussed reforms allowing political parties to campaign in the northwestern tribal region and relaxing dated laws that hold entire tribes accountable for one person’s crime. The changes chip away at measures that are widely viewed as violating the fundamental rights enjoyed by the rest of Pakistan’s 180 million people — and that have inspired little loyalty to the state among residents of the borderlands.

The reforms are the result of more than two years of dialogue and advocacy by the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Under the amended laws, political parties can attempt to win and represent voters, and residents will be able to appeal political agents’ decisions before a new tribunal. Women, children and people older than 65 are exempt from collective punishment, and the national auditor is authorized to scrutinize political agents’ use of state funds.

Pakistan to Extend Political Reforms to FATA

fgalleto — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:48:26 +0000

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 a more democratic system of governance to a region considered a haven for militants and religious extremists.

FATA, with a population of just over three million, is a mountainous area on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The region is politically and economically marginalized and its residents do not have the same basic legal and political rights as the rest of the country. The lack of effective governance has contributed to the empowerment of forces such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

FATA residents and representatives attend a regional meeting in 2008.

Under Pakistan’s constitution, the parliament does not have jurisdiction in FATA and only the president can extend its acts to the region. FATA residents were granted the right to vote in 1996. But political parties are prohibited from operating there, and parliamentarians are elected as independents. Residents remain isolated and subject to a strict form of tribal and religious law imposed by Islamic militants.

As a result, President Zardari’s decision represents a significant change. On Aug. 12, he signed two orders extending Pakistan’s Political Parties Order of 2002 to the tribal areas and amending FATA’s Frontier Crimes Regulation, a draconian criminal code first enacted by the British in 1848. Under the new orders, political parties will be permitted to form and operate in the tribal areas, fielding candidates in FATA under their party banners for the first time. These reforms are designed to bring the tribal areas into the mainstream of Pakistani life and diminish the role of militants.

These developments were encouraged by a series of regional meetings in FATA that began in 2008 with support from NDI in partnership with the Shaheed Bhutto Foundation (SBF). More than 300 tribal representatives participated in roundtables that culminated in an agreement on reform priorities, including the extension of the Political Parties Order to FATA. In January 2009, more than 100 of these tribal representatives presented their recommendations directly to President Zardari.

A report, prepared by the foundation with support from NDI and published in early 2009 summarized the meetings’ findings and concluded that unrest in the tribal areas posed a threat to global security and underscored the urgency of establishing a democratic and constitutional system of governance there. The report also documented a broad consensus among tribal area leaders that development, democracy and rule of law were imperative to achieving peace and stability in the region.

Meetings in March and June of 2009 contributed to an announcement on Aug. 14, 2009, by President Zardari of a FATA reforms package, which, despite widespread support among FATA residents and a broad-cross section of political parties, had yet to be carried out until he signed the initial reforms last week.

Ongoing discussion through 2010 led to the creation of the Political Parties Joint Committee on FATA Reforms. Under that banner, nine mainstream political parties adopted a resolution in March calling on the president to implement the reforms announced in August 2009. A 10th party signed on later.

NDI programming is continuing. The Institute is working with the joint committee as well as residents of the tribal areas, with SBF, in support of their efforts to promote the remaining reforms in the package.

NDI’s programs were funded initially by the State Department's Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and continue to be funded by the British High Commission.

Published Aug. 15, 2011

Extension of Political Parties Act to Fata | Aug. 10, 2011

fgalleto — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:59:50 +0000

The International News | Link to story »

"President Asif Ali Zardari will host two separate Iftar dinners for the tribal elders on August 12 and 13 at the Presidency, political agents and representatives of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) before announcing an extension of the Political Parties Act to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on August 14.

"Sources told The News that the tribal Jirga comprising 10 elders from each tribal agency along with the political agents of all tribal agencies will meet the president on August 13 to discuss the expected extension of the act to Fata."

Link to story »

NDI E-news: Women Press for Change in Egypt, Pakistan, Armenia | June 2011

fgalleto — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:51:18 +0000

June 2011

Egyptian Group ACT to Receive 2011 Madeleine K. Albright Grant

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Azza Kamel, director of ACT

Appropriate Communication Techniques for Development (ACT), an Egyptian women's rights organization, will receive NDI's 2011 Madeleine K. Albright Grant for its work before, during and after the democratic revolution that swept Egypt earlier this year.

Since 1990, the organization has worked with Egyptian women seeking elective office, advocated for equal rights and promoted legislation to better the rights and status of women. Last year, ACT trained women running in parliamentary elections, and human rights and women's organizations on political and civil participation.

As the revolution was unfolding, ACT co-founded a coalition of women's groups that wrote a statement of women's demands that was presented to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. With the award, the group will receive $25,000 to continue its work to ensure that women's voices are included in Egypt's political transition.

NDI established the Madeleine K. Albright Grant in 2005 to support organizations that create greater roles for women in political and civic life. Winners are selected from a competitive pool of applicants seeking to promote women's political participation. Past recipients include the
Network of Chocó Women of Colombia, the
Women's League of Burma, the Indonesian Women's Political Caucus, the Mostar Women's Citizen Initiative of Bosnia-Herzegovina
and the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone.

The Madeleine K. Albright Grant is made possible through the generosity of the Melvin and Bren Simon Foundation.

Women Learning From Each Other, Pressing For Change in Egypt, Pakistan, Armenia

As Egyptian women work to ensure their place in the country's emerging democracy, lessons and models from women's groups around the world can offer insight. NDI has been connecting Egyptian women's groups with women leaders and organizations from the U.S., Chile and Cambodia to share their experiences and strategies. Read more»

In other struggles, hundreds of women came together from across Pakistan to discuss challenges they face and policy solutions. Resolutions produced in a series of workshops address topics ranging from education reform and the provision of health care in rural areas to equal participation in peace talks. Read more»

In Armenia, more than 300 women from different political parties, civic organizations, government agencies and geographic regions convened for a two-day conference in Yerevan. They called for increasing women's political and economic participation, better access to health care, and a reduction in domestic violence. Read more»

Women's Political Party Program Handbook — Now Available in Arabic

Assessing Women's Political Party Programs: Best Practices and Recommendations identifies the most effective approaches for encouraging women's participation and leadership. It is now available for download in both English and Arabic. Read more»

In Côte d'Ivoire, Youth Leaders Come Together for Peace, Reconciliation

Charles Djrekpo, NDI resident director, explains NDI efforts to help the reconciliation process in Côte d'Ivoire after a violent five-month standoff following last November's presidential runoff. He discusses how women and youth leaders are the key to a more a peaceful future. Read more»

Turkish Fellows See Citizen Involvement Firsthand in Visit to Washington

Turkish fellows from government agencies, legislatures and civil society organizations traveled to the U.S. to observe citizen engagement in the country's political process at the national and local levels. Turkish policymakers and civil society groups rarely come together. The five-week trip was sponsored by Freedom House in collaboration with NDI. Read more»

New Collection of Essays Examines "Semi-Presidentialism and Democracy"

"Semi-presidentialism" — a constitutional form of government with a directly-elected president as well as a prime minister responsible to the legislative branch — is explored in a new book, Semi-Presidentialism and Democracy, co-edited by Sophia Moestrup, NDI senior program manager for Central and West Africa. The book breaks new ground by offering a truly global review of countries that have adopted semi-presidential systems, examining their differences in operation, performance and impact. Read more»

Women From Different Political Parties Join Forces to Strengthen Women’s Political Participation

fgalleto — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:30:03 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

11/07/2008

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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Party Youth Seek to Strengthen Democracy with Fresh Ideas and Modern Skills

fgalleto — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:24:49 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

11/17/2008

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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National Action Plan to Boost Women’s Power in Pakistani Political Parties

fgalleto — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:16:36 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/18/2008

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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Women in Pakistan Identify Vital Issues for Party Platforms

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:12:39 +0000

In Pakistan, the obstacles to women’s political involvement in their communities and their country can be daunting. Discrimination, cultural barriers and travel restrictions are among the most significant deterents. In many parts of the country, particularly northern and rural areas, customs prevent women from participating in affairs outside the home, and frequent violence often restricts their mobility. When they do travel, many must be chaperoned by a close male relative.

The fact that hundreds of women journeyed from across several provinces affected by recent flooding and waves of violence to participate in a number of political policy development workshops is a testament to the resolve of Pakistani women to engage politically. For some, it was the first time they had ever traveled outside their home districts or villages. For the vast majority, it was their first chance to make their voices heard in the democratic process.

Although a number of parties in Pakistan have established women’s wings, they are often unstructured, disorganized and prone to internal disputes, leaving women without a formal means to contribute to policymaking in their parties. But through a series of recent workshops hosted by NDI, Pakistani women had the chance to create proposed policy agendas addressing the issues they care about most. The workshops provided the women an opportunity to discuss the unique challenges that they, as women, face every day in their communities.

Resolutions produced through the workshops addressed issues ranging from reforming the education curriculum to the provision of health care in rural areas. Woman also proposed that they participate in peace dialogues currently underway throughout the country. Women party members then presented the resolutions to the party leaders, advocating for their inclusion in broader party platforms for upcoming elections.

Workshops with the National Party, Pakistani Muslim League-Q, the Pakistan’s People’s Party, and the Awami National Party were held recently in Quetta, Islamabad and Peshawar. Another with the Pakistani Muslim League-N will take place soon. The meetings provide a forum for grassroots members to work with experienced elected women such as government ministers and members of the provincial and national assemblies and represent the first opportunity for many to address their party leaders directly. The women also gain a greater appreciation for and understanding of how policymaking works and a sense of empowerment that they can create change on the issues that matter to them the most.

The workshops were organized as part of NDI’s Strengthening Women’s Participation in Politics Program started in 2008. At that time, NDI brought together female representatives from six leading parties in Pakistan to draft a national action plan that outlined the main challenges preventing their full participation in politics and party affairs. The participants unanimously called for better organization of women’s wings and increased representation for women in the party leadership.

Since then, NDI has organized multi-party training sessions to help participants establish rules and regulations for women’s wings. The Institute has also helped integrate more women into political party decision-making, cultivating the skills women need to take more initiative within parties.

Related:

Pictured above: Female members of the Awami National Party convene in Peshawar on April 28 to participate in a policy development workshop.

Published June 3, 2011.

NDI - Pakistan

Teen Activist Receives Pakistan's National Peace Award

Yousufzai (left) address an NDI political parties event.

NDI Efforts for Promotion of Democracy Lauded | Dec. 1, 2011

Zardari Asks World to Help Pakistan's Democracy | Nov. 19, 2011

NDI Delegation Meets President | Nov. 18, 2011

NDI President Wollack Discusses Party Reform with Pakistani President Zardari

Left to right: Sandra Houston, NDI country director; Peter Manikas, NDI regional director for Asia; and Wollack meet President Zardari.

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

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Will the Long March to Democracy in Pakistan Finally Succeed?

Pakistan Amends Tribal Laws Said to Fuel Militancy

Pakistan to Extend Political Reforms to FATA

Extension of Political Parties Act to Fata | Aug. 10, 2011

NDI E-news: Women Press for Change in Egypt, Pakistan, Armenia | June 2011

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Women From Different Political Parties Join Forces to Strengthen Women’s Political Participation

Party Youth Seek to Strengthen Democracy with Fresh Ideas and Modern Skills

National Action Plan to Boost Women’s Power in Pakistani Political Parties

Women in Pakistan Identify Vital Issues for Party Platforms