Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

National Democratic Institute

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Abbreviation
  
NDI

Type
  
non-profit NGO

Website
  
ndi.org

Founded
  
1983

Formation
  
1983

Chairman
  
Madeleine K. Albright

Founder
  
Madeleine Albright

Leader
  
Madeleine Albright

National Democratic Institute httpswwwndiorgsitesdefaultfilesimagesNDI

Location
  
455 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC

Headquarters
  
Washington, D.C., United States

Similar
  
National Endowment for Demo, International Foundation for Electo, Freedom House, Open Society Foundations, Carter Center

Profiles

National democratic institute s civic innovators ndi s 2013 democracy award recipients


The National Democratic Institute (NDI), or National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works with partners in developing countries to increase the effectiveness of democratic institutions. The NDI's core program areas include citizen participation, elections, debates, democratic governance, democracy and technology, political inclusion of marginalized groups, and gender, women and democracy. The organization's stated mission is to "support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government."

Contents

The NDI was founded in 1983, shortly after the United States Congress created the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The NED's creation was followed by the establishment of three related institutes, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and the National Republican Institute for International Affairs (later renamed the International Republican Institute, IRI). The Endowment serves as the umbrella organization through which these three institutes and an expanding number of private sector groups would receive funding to carry out programs abroad.

The NDI, loosely affiliated to the Democratic Party, is a "cooperating organization" with the Liberal International. and an "associated organization" with the Socialist International.

Overview

The NDI works with political parties, civic groups, parliaments and other organizations and individuals in more than 70 countries. The NDI works with local partners to encourage community dialogues, observe elections, increase citizen participation, and improve the responsiveness of government.

Sources of Funding

The NDI receives financial support from The National Endowment for Democracy, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of State, and the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS). Furthermore, the NDI receives contributions from governments, foundations, multilateral institutions, corporations, organizations, and individuals. Some of these governments and multilateral institutions include the Government of Australia, Government of Denmark, and Government of Belgium.

Awards, events, and honors

  • Madeleine K. Albright Grant: Every year the NDI hosts a luncheon to honor the recipient of the Madeleine K. Albright grant. The Madeleine K. Albright grant is awarded to organizations that address systemic and structural barriers to women’s advancement and presence in the public and political spheres. The grant has been awarded since 2005, and is made possible through the generosity of the Melvin and Bren Simon Foundation the Win with Women Global Initiative. The 2015 grant went to the Worker Women Social Organization of Kandahar, Afghanistan.
  • Andi Parhamovich Fellowship: In 2007 the NDI announced the establishment of the Andi Parhamovich Fellowship, named in honor of NDI staff member Andi Parhamovich, who was killed on January 17, 2007, when her convoy was attacked while returning from a political party training session in Baghdad. Each year, the fellowship brings to Washington, D.C., a young woman selected from NDI local staff or partner organizations who is deeply involved in building and consolidating democracy in her own country by advancing the participation of women.
  • W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award: Each year the NDI hosts a dinner to recognize innovators and activists in the field of democracy. At the dinner, the NDI presents the W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award, which honors individuals and organizations that have exhibited a sustained commitment to democracy and human rights, and have demonstrated leadership, integrity and courage in their dedication to democratic values and practices.
  • Past recipients of the award have included: Senator Barbara Mikulski, D-MD Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia former United States President Jimmy Carter former Czech President Václav Havel former United States President Bill Clinton Varela Project leader Oswaldo Payá of Cuba Burmese democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine K. Albright Yassine Brahim Rafik Halouani Wafa Makhlouf Sayida Ounissi
  • Criticism

    Critics charge that the term "democracy assistance" and "democracy building" are rhetorically employed to overpower nationalist and socialist resistance to US economic and cultural domination, particularly in Russia.

    Success

    In 30 years, the National Democratic Institute has worked in 132 countries and territories around the world and supported the efforts of 15,000 civic organizations, 850 political parties and organizations, 10,000 legislators, and 1,300 women's organizations. Furthermore, NDI has organized over 150 international election observer delegations in over 62 countries. The NDI has monitored over 340 referenda and elections and trained over 3 million election observers in over 85 countries. Furthermore, they have helped partner groups organize 300 candidate debates in over 35 countries.

    References

    National Democratic Institute Wikipedia