NDI - Qatar

NDI E-news: The Middle East, African Elections, Belarus | Jan./Feb. 2011

fgalleto — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:10:35 +0000

February 2011

Now the Hard Work Begins...

STAY CONNECTED

CONTRIBUTE

Egyptians celebrate in Tahrir Square. Photo by RamyRaoof.

Following weeks of protests in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Bahrain, thousands in Libya are now advocating for political freedoms long denied by the country's regime. The government has responded with beatings, shootings and arrests. NDI condemned this government-backed violence and joined calls for the immediate cessation of attacks against Libyans who are exercising their right to peaceful assembly, and for a democratic transition.

As democracy advocates raise their voices throughout the Middle East, analysts and commentators have turned to NDI seeking insights into the implications of the ongoing changes for the future of democracy in the region. In The New York Times,
The Washington Post, on CNN and elsewhere, NDI leaders and staff have offered commentary and interpretation as the historic changes have unfolded.

The Institute has a long history in the region. Its first office, for the West Bank and Gaza, opened in 1994. Since then, NDI staff have also been based in Egypt,
Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon,
Mauritania, Morocco and Yemen. Institute programming also encompasses Algeria, Bahrain,
Kuwait,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia
and Tunisia.

In all of these countries, NDI has established partnerships with political parties, civic groups, parliamentarians and others seeking to promote peaceful reform and have a voice in how they are governed. The Institute works to share organizational skills, comparative experiences and tools to connect democratic activists within and between countries.

In response to the developments in Egypt, for example, NDI is putting Egyptian activists in touch with political leaders from Chile, Poland and elsewhere so they can take advantage of lessons learned during other democratic transitions. It's similar to work the Institute has done in many other places and times, such as when it brought opposing Northern Ireland factions together in South Africa in 1997 to learn from Nelson Mandela and others how to negotiate peace and reconciliation.

African Election Roundup: Nigeria, Sudan, Niger

In Nigeria, NDI is conducting an international observation mission to analyze the electoral process before, during and after presidential, legislative and local elections scheduled for April. Regular updates can be found in Nigeria Election Watch, which is based on reports from NDI's long-term observers, who began assessing election activities throughout the country from January and will continue through May. Subscribe»

In Sudan, NDI's civil society partners, the southern-based Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections (SuNDE) and the northern-based Sudanese Group for Democracy and Elections (SuGDE), observed
all stages of the recent referendum
in which Southern Sudan voted to secede from the north. The groups concluded
that "the Southern Sudan referendum allowed the free expression of the will of the people for self-determination."
Read more»

Before presidential and legislative elections in Niger, 36 political parties and two independent candidates signed a code of conduct that encouraged parties and their supporters to campaign honestly and respect the outcome of the Jan. 31 vote and the runoff election set for March 12. Read more»

Women in Afghanistan, Guatemala, Ukraine Overcoming Obstacles to Elected Office

Among the 249 members of Afghanistan's lower house of parliament are Farida Hamidi and Frishta Amini, two women who make up the entire delegation from Nimroz province. Despite the risks faced by female candidates, both women ran strong campaigns and garnered more votes than their male opponents. Read more»

In Guatemala, where indigenous women are 20 percent of the population and hold only one of the nation's 333 mayoralties, Isabel Francisco discusses her campaign for mayor of Santa Eulalia, Huehuetenango. "This is my third time as a candidate," she said. "The first time I finished in fifth place. The second time I finished in third place. This time I'm hopeful I'll win!" Read more»

Zinayida Galchynska promised herself that if she survived breast cancer she would run for local office and make a real difference in her community. She kept that promise and is now a councilor in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine — thanks in part to the skills she learned at an NDI campaign school and a campaign based on going door-to-door to meet voters. Read more»

NDI President Urges International Support for Belarusian People

NDI President Kenneth Wollack outlined ways the international community can provide moral support and practical assistance to political and civic leaders, media and ordinary citizens in Belarus, where government forces engaged in a brutal crackdown following failed elections Dec. 19. Wollack was speaking at a Jan. 27 hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs. Read more»

Colombian Municipal Councilors Hone Good Governance Skills

In Colombia, newly-elected municipal councilors generally are expected to learn on the job. To help them gather the skills they need, an NDI program focused on how to identify the needs of their constituents, develop policies to address those needs, and engage with citizens and the media. Read more»

NDI Adds 2010 Afghanistan Elections Data to Mapping Website

Complete data from Afghanistan's 2010 parliamentary elections have been added to
afghanistanelectiondata.org, the Institute's innovative mapping website
. The site now includes data from Afghan elections beginning in 2004, as well as demographic, ethnographic, topographic, security and other information. Visitors can create visual analyses of voting patterns and other assessments, or segment and envisage data and maps in a variety of ways.
Read more»

New NDI Publications

NDI, one of the world's largest publishers of Arabic-language resources and references on democracy support, has just released its latest catalogue. It includes a listing of publications and information on how to order them. Read it in Arabic | English»

Drawing on its 25 years of experience in the women's political participation field, NDI has published a new guide for democracy practitioners to help them develop and carry out effective programs to bring more women into government and politics. Democracy and the Challenge of Change: A Guide to Increasing Women’s Political Participation, helps the user develop, carry out, monitor and evaluate women’s political participation programs. The guide provides a rationale for focusing on increasing women’s participation and includes examples of best practices, case studies and practical strategies.

The new guide, Political-Process Monitoring: Activist Tools and Techniques, explores the work that the Institute and its partner groups have done for legislative, budget-related and campaign-related monitoring, shadow reporting and monitoring government follow-through.

NDI E-news: Democracy Day, Middle East, Cambodia | Sept. 2009

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:25:17 +0000

September 15, 2009

Happy Democracy Day!

NDI wishes you a happy International Day of Democracy, an annual global celebration of human rights, the rule of law and other principles that unite democracies around the world. This day, Sept. 15, was designated by the United Nations to reaffirm the universality of democratic values and recognize the aspirations of people around the world to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems.

Supporting and strengthening democratic institutions is the main mission of NDI, which works in nearly 80 countries to advance citizen participation, safeguard elections and promote open and accountable government. Our primary focus is people — bringing together individuals and groups to share ideas, knowledge, experiences and expertise with the goal of improving the responsiveness and effectiveness of democratic governance. You can learn more about our work at www.ndi.org.

Afghans Pursue Democracy Despite Violence

NDI, which fielded more than 100 international and Afghan observers for Afghanistan's Aug. 20 presidential and provincial council elections, found that aspects of the election were in accordance with democratic principles. But the Institute also identified serious flaws in the process that needed to be addressed and offered 17 recommendations for improvements. The delegation's full preliminary statement can be found here.

Last week, as election authorities grappled with what they termed “clear and convincing evidence of fraud,” NDI expressed deep concern, noting that “it will be impossible to determine the will of the Afghan people” unless those issues are addressed.

The August delegation was led by former U.S. Senator Gary Hart; Karl Inderfurth, former U.S. assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs; John Manley, former Canadian deputy prime minister and foreign minister; Nora Owen, former minister of justice in Ireland; Karin von Hippel, co-director of the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Jamie Metzl, executive vice president of the Asia Society; Kenneth Wollack, president of NDI; and Peter Manikas, NDI's director of Asia programs.
Both Hart and Manley wrote op-ed pieces about their experiences. In addition, Metzl coauthored an op-ed with Christine Fair of Georgetown University, who also was an NDI election observer.

Inderfurth, von Hippel and other members of the election mission spoke about their impressions and answered questions about the vote at an event sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Read more about the event and watch the video»

NDI has been working in Afghanistan since early 2002 and has since conducted programs to promote the participation of Afghan civic groups and political parties in the country's political and electoral processes. A major component of NDI's work involves building the capacity of provincial councils, the only elected bodies below the national level.

Code of Conduct Takes Macedonia Toward Democracy and Europe

With its eye on membership in the European Union, Macedonia held peaceful local and presidential elections this spring without the violence that marred previous polls. The success of the election process was attributable, in part, to a Code of Conduct campaign that rallied political party leaders, candidates and voters alike to show that Macedonia can hold elections consistent with international standards. Chris Henshaw, NDI's resident director in Macedonia, discusses the Institute's history with Code of Conduct campaigns in Macedonia, dating to 2002, and their effect on the country's democratic transition.

Latest Iran Bulletin Explores Religion and Politics

Iran's religious institutions play a prominent role in the country's politics. Now, the disputed presidential election and its violent aftermath have led members of the Iranian religious establishment to question the moral, legal and religious foundations of the Islamic Republic. Prior to the election, Shi'a clerics mostly debated the relative balance of the Republic's Islamic and democratic aspects. Now debate has shifted to the fundamental nature, pillars and theoretical justifications for the regime itself.

NDI has been chronicling developments in Iran since February in its Iran Bulletin. Read the latest issue»

Save the Date!

NDI will celebrate its first quarter century with a special event on Nov. 3 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. More details will be available on the NDI website .

Training the Next Generation of Leaders...

...in the Middle East

Convening for the second year in Doha, Qatar, NDI's Young Women Leaders Academy brought together women aged 19 to 28 from across the Middle East who aspire to political careers. The women came from 12 countries to learn political skills and increase their knowledge about how to run a successful campaign and advocate effectively for a cause.

Meet some of the women who participated in the YWLA.

... in Latin America

NDI's Political Leadership Program, now in its 1oth year, brings together young leaders from Latin America to study international best practices. During the last decade, participants from 56 major political parties and movements from across the ideological spectrum have learned about political party renewal and reform. This year, national academies were held in Ecuador, Mexico and Peru for 69 emerging leaders who learned about the role of political parties, transparency and outreach, and planned individual projects for their parties.

Meet some of the attendees.

Visiting Cambodian MPs See Congress Up Close

Members of Cambodia's National Assembly, seeking to strengthen democracy in their country, visited both the U.S. Congress and the Maryland State Capitol as part of a recent study mission focused on issues of transparency, public access and the balance of power in government. The visit was sponsored jointly by NDI and the Institute for Representative Government.

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide by promoting citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Qatar-U.S. Partnership "Cementing Relations" | March 5, 2010

fgalleto — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:20:02 +0000

Gulf Times| Link to story »

"Qatar and the U.S. continue to benefit from a number of partnerships between the government, businesses and civil society organizations, according to a U.S. government official who is in Qatar to discuss various tie-ups and future plans.

"A number of other partnerships include one between the US-based Solitary Center and the National Human Rights Committee, which will be looking at improving labor conditions and rights for workers in Qatar. The National Democratic Institute will also be working with the Municipal Council to assist with local governance and related issues."

Link to story »

Young Women Attend NDI-Organized Leadership Course in Doha | August 9, 2009

rrunyan — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:36:41 +0000

Gulf Times | Link to story »

Some 22 young women who participated in the second annual Young Women Leaders Academy in Doha were imparted practical skills and knowledge necessary to actively participate in the political process in their countries and improve their communities.

Organised by NDI and hosted by the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, the conference, held from July 25 to August 3, was attended by young women from across the Middle East and North Africa.

Link to story »

Qatar: Students complete training on poll process | March 6, 2009

ggreene — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:15:19 +0000

Gulf Times | Link to story »

Thirteen students from Qatar University’s International Affairs Programme completed an 18-month Training of Trainers Programme organised by Qatar Permanent Elections Committee. … The Programme was organised in conjunction with the US-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and Qatar’s Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

Link to story »

Middle East and North Africa: Training Future Political Leaders at the Young Women Leaders Academy

jbowen — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:47:24 +0000

In July 2008, thirteen undergraduate and graduate students and activists from seven countries participated in the Young Women Leaders Academy in Doha, Qatar. The program was designed to provide young women with the intellectual tools, comparative knowledge and practical skills necessary to become leaders in their communities, gain practical political work experience in parliament, political parties and civil society organizations, and actively network with other young women engaged in politics in the region.

Despite daunting cultural and institutional obstacles, women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) continue to make strides in politics. Initiatives that help empower the next generation of women leaders are a cornerstone of NDI’s programs in the region.

In July 2008, NDI organized the inaugural MENA Regional Young Women Leaders Academy in Doha, Qatar. Thirteen undergraduate and graduate students and activists from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar and Yemen participated in the Young Women Leaders Academy. Most of the women had never participated in any type of formal training and some had never travelled outside their country or had an opportunity to interact with like-minded peers from neighboring countries. The program was designed to provide young women with the intellectual tools, comparative knowledge and practical skills necessary to become leaders in their communities, gain practical political work experience in parliament, political parties and civil society organizations, and actively network with other young women engaged in politics in the region.

Each participant came to the academy with the shared desire of strengthening the role of women leaders in her own country. During the nine-day academy, participants attended sessions on women’s leadership and social and political issues in the Middle East. The participatory seminars were reinforced by group work and extended discussions. Students also improved their leadership skills through a series of intensive sessions on topics including public speaking, conflict resolution, advocacy and fundraising.

Midway through the academy, the women participated in a virtual panel discussion with three successful young women leaders in Washington, D.C. The panel took place in Georgetown’s Global Classroom, a unique venue that contains a high-definition video connection between Washington, D.C. and Doha, built to make users feel like they are in the same room. Academy participants engaged the panelists in a discussion about their experiences working in politics, legislative advocacy and civil society, and also how to balance the competing demands of career and personal life. Throughout the week, the women worked in small groups to design their own political campaign. Each group elected a candidate, a campaign manager, a policy director and a communications/media manager. The groups then developed campaign platforms, outreach and media plans that they presented to an audience on the final day. Following the presentations, the group voted on which candidate they would elect to office.

Building upon the intensive academic and training components of the program, the participants have undertaken internships with political parties and civil society organizations. The internships provide the young women with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in political processes, build professional skills and valuable relationships, and continue becoming more effective leaders.

Feedback from the inaugural program demonstrated that the experience left participants feeling inspired and more equipped to engage in politics. Many indicated that while they were previously interested in politics, they would not have considered a career in politics before participating in the Academy. Through their internships and efforts following the Academy, the alumnae have proven that they are able to apply the lessons learned during the Academy and have taken ownership of their own professional development. The small size of the group allowed for participants to form close relationships with each other and since the Academy, participants have continued to communicate with each other as well as NDI staff and trainers using dedicated Academy pages on iKNOW Politics and Facebook, creating a network of the next generation of women political leaders.

–

Published on Dec. 17, 2008

Seminar discusses poll coverage in Arab world

jbowen — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:57:34 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

09/24/2008

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	32.64 KB

Summary: NDI Programs in Qatar

jbowen — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:36:57 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

09/24/2008

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the summary	75.28 KB

2007 Doha Forum

jbowen — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:59:36 +0000

Author:

Ramesh Mathew

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

04/26/2007

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	15.87 KB

Leadership Academy Gathers Women from Middle East, North Africa

jbowen — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:50:55 +0000

Women activists from seven countries in the Middle East and North Africa gathered for the Young Women Leaders Academy at Education City in Doha, Qatar, in July 2008 to help gain the intellectual tools, comparative knowledge, and practical skills to become leaders in their communities.

The women learned from peers, established professionals, and NDI staff. The women also participated in a panel discussion with three successful young female advocates and political activists in Washington, D.C., via a videoconference using classrooms at Georgetown University’s campuses in Doha and Washington.

A participant from Morocco, Imane Tounsi, summarized the experience: “There is nothing more empowering,” she said, “than young women leaders gathering to learn from each other.”

Building upon the intensive academic and training components of the program, the participants have gone on to internships with parliaments, political parties and civil society organizations in their countries, giving them opportunities to put their new political advocacy and leadership skills into practice.

Pictured above: Participants at the Young Women Leaders Academy

—

Video: Watch the Young Women Leaders Academy panel discussion:

—

Published on September 9, 2008

Qatar

ggreene — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:50:04 +0000

NDI began working in Qatar in 2006, following discussions with members of the Qatari government and civil society organizations regarding opportunities to support Qatar’s democratic development. In advance of the April 2007 municipal elections, NDI conducted a series of workshops for municipal council candidates on campaign, media and communication strategies. Following the election, the Institute provided technical training to council members and staff, at the request of the chairman of the Central Municipal Council, on strategic planning, communications and media relations and constituent outreach.

Additionally, NDI worked in partnership with Qatar’s Permanent Elections Committee (PEC) on a two-year program to enhance citizen awareness of the Qatari electoral process, promote understanding of the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and encourage voter participation in municipal elections and anticipated Shura council elections. The multi-stage program involved the training of trainers to develop materials and strategies for civic education initiatives and for the establishment of a training division within the PEC.

NDI is not currently conducting any programs in Qatar.

Political Context

Upon assuming the throne in 1995, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani initiated a series of political reforms, including universal suffrage for all Qataris over the age of 18, and he announced his intention to hold general elections for the consultative Central Municipal Council (CMC) and for the Shura Council. The first municipal council elections were held in 1999, with subsequent elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Despite strong voter turnout in 1999, with roughly 79 percent of the electorate participating in the elections, participation rates have declined during the past decade.

A new constitution, passed in April 2003 by popular referendum, reaffirmed the Emir’s political reforms. The constitution mandated the establishment of a permanent Shura Council composed of 30 directly elected members and 15 members appointed by the Emir. The election of a Shura Council, originally scheduled for 2005, has not yet been held. In 2011, the Emir reaffirmed his intention to hold Shura elections by the end of 2013.

Recognizing the challenges of a new electoral system, the Emir established the Permanent Elections Committee of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in 2003 to raise public awareness of voting rights and responsibilities and also to empower citizens, particularly women, to participate in electoral processes. PEC activities have included public presentations to improve voter understanding of electoral processes and the role of the CMC. Presentations focused on topics such as the legal processes of elections; the role, responsibility and function of the Shura and municipal councils; the role of elections in a democracy; and the role of media in elections. The PEC has also overseen successful municipal council elections.

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:

Washington, D.C.
Leigh Catherine Miles, Senior Program Manager
(202) 728-6304

NDI - Qatar

NDI E-news: The Middle East, African Elections, Belarus | Jan./Feb. 2011

STAY CONNECTED

CONTRIBUTE

READ MORE

NDI E-news: Democracy Day, Middle East, Cambodia | Sept. 2009

September 15, 2009

Afghans Pursue Democracy Despite Violence

Code of Conduct Takes Macedonia Toward Democracy and Europe

Latest Iran Bulletin Explores Religion and Politics

Save the Date!

Training the Next Generation of Leaders...

...in the Middle East

... in Latin America

Visiting Cambodian MPs See Congress Up Close

Qatar-U.S. Partnership "Cementing Relations" | March 5, 2010

Young Women Attend NDI-Organized Leadership Course in Doha | August 9, 2009

Qatar: Students complete training on poll process | March 6, 2009

Middle East and North Africa: Training Future Political Leaders at the Young Women Leaders Academy

Seminar discusses poll coverage in Arab world

Summary: NDI Programs in Qatar

2007 Doha Forum

Leadership Academy Gathers Women from Middle East, North Africa

Qatar

Read More

Political Context

Featured Stories

Contact Information