Forming Ties Across Continents in South Africa

October 25, 2010

I arrived at Johannesburg airport with aching limbs after a grueling 18 hours on a plane from Washington D.C. via Dakar, Senegal, where we stopped for refueling. This was my first trip to Africa in half a decade; working on programs in the Middle East and Asia over the past five years has taken me to very different parts of the world. Stepping into Pretoria, I immediately felt a jolt of energy as I recognized the unique flavor of Africa.

Education, Women's Empowerment

Assessment of the Pre-Election Environment for Ukraine’s Local Government Elections

October 08, 2010

This statement is offered by two international pre-election delegations organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), to assess the electoral environment in Ukraine in advance of the October 31 local elections. 

Legal Framework, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, Elections, Voter Registration

NDI and IFES Election Mission Recommends Measures to Increase Voter Confidence in Ukraine

October 08, 2010

This statement is offered by two international pre-election delegations organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), to assess the electoral environment in Ukraine in advance of the October 31 local elections. 

Legal Framework, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, Elections, Voter Registration

Nigeria: Debating a New Voters Register Four Months before Election Day

August 25, 2010

Earlier this year, Nigeria held the world’s attention with the illness and subsequent death of President Umaru Yar'Adua. After his passing, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan assumed the presidency. In January 2011, the tenure of the current presidency will expire and Nigeria will hold presidential elections to elect the country’s next leader.

Voter Registration, Elections, Education

President Barack Obama's Town Hall Meeting on Young sub-Saharan African Leaders

August 03, 2010

President Barack Obama is leading a town hall meeting at the White House with 115 young leaders from more than 40 sub-Saharan African countries on August 3. Almami Cyllah, IFES regional director for Africa, comments on the importance of the meeting.

Democracy Assistance, Governance, Civil Society, Civic Education, Education

Kenya’s Referendum on the Adoption of a New Constitution

August 03, 2010

On Wednesday, August 4, Kenya will hold a referendum on the adoption of a new Constitution. This process marks the first time Kenya reviews its Constitution since it gained independence in 1963. Almami Cyllah, IFES regional director for Africa, comments on Kenya's step forward.

Democracy Assistance, Governance, Elections, Civil Society, Civic Education

A Couple Voting Together in the Moldovan Election

July 24, 2010

An instructional video showing a couple voting together in the Moldovan election.

Civic Education, Education, Elections

Sealing the Ballot Box for the Moldovan Election

July 24, 2010

An instructional video demonstrating the sealing the ballot box for the Moldovan election.

Civic Education, Education, Elections

Unsealing the Ballot Box for the Moldovan Election

July 24, 2010

An instructional video demonstrating the unsealing of a ballot box for the Moldovan election.

Civic Education, Education, Elections

2010 Summer Democracy Camps in Kyrgyzstan

July 19, 2010

The first in a series IFES-sponsored Democracy Camps in Kyrgyzstan began on July 19, 2010. The first camp in this annual series will run from July 19 to July 28 and include student participants representing ninth- and tenth-grades from Bishkek city, Talas oblast and Chuy oblast. The camp is being held in Besh-Kungey, a popular camping retreat on the outskirts of Bishkek. Three additional camp sessions will be held in different parts of the country throughout the rest of the summer.

Education, Civic Education, Democracy Assistance, Elections, Civil Society