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Creating Opportunities for Syrians to Shape Their Country’s Transition
Over the last several years, IFES has empowered Syrian women, youth, and marginalized groups to be part of a meaningful discourse over their country’s future. IFES has built the capacity of these groups on key topics and challenges around a democratic transition so they can contribute to policy discussions and advocate for inclusive, democratic practices. IFES has also connected participants with decision makers and transitional leaders to increase two-way dialogue between civil society and Syrian opposition leaders.
News & Updates
Feature
New Documentary Highlights Disability Rights Advocacy in Libya
On February 7, IFES launched a documentary that highlights successful disability rights advocacy in Libya and the “Rights Unite” campaign. The documentary – which was made possible through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – explores how the Election Access Working Group, which was established with the support of IFES and USAID in 2013, began as a fragmented group of disability rights advocates and flourished as a successful advocacy group.
News & Updates
Feature
India’s 37 Million “Missing Women”
As part of its U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Women’s Legal Rights Initiative in India, IFES launched the “Dignity of the Girl Child” campaign to address sex selection, infanticide and neglect of the girl-child. IFES’ campaign combined research and advocacy with targeted community-based interventions to sensitize and mobilize district and local administrators, the legal community, civil society, and the public on the need to value the life of the girl-child. It also engaged men as program allies and key decision makers.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
MENA Director Testifies on Capitol Hill on “Democracy and Governance in the Middle East and North Africa”
On November 7, 2017, IFES Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Zeinab Abdelkarim provided testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. She was invited to speak to Members of Congress about “Democracy and Governance in the Middle East and North Africa,” in particular about impediments to reforms and what Congress and the administration can do to better achieve democracy and governance goals in the region.
News & Updates
Feature
Technical Assistance to Election Management Bodies
Iraq has undergone dramatic change in the past decade. The U.S.-led war in Iraq that began in 2003, and the subsequent de-Ba’athification process led by the Coalition Provisional Authority, spike in sectarianism, advancement by the Islamic State (IS) and push by the Kurds for independence, all continue to impact the country’s political and security environment. It is within this complex context that the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) worked in Iraq for the 12 years, providing capacity building for Iraq’s election system from 2003 until September 2015.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES Field Staff
Mike Yard is a recognized international election administration and technology expert with over 25 years of experience. He has advised election authorities in over 15 countries and served as the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Chief of Party in Kenya and Uganda. In this Q&A, Yard discusses his experience during South Africa’s historic 1994 general elections, the role of technology in democratic progress in Africa, and other democratic achievements on the continent.
News & Updates
Feature
New Version of Moroccan Sign Language Mobile App Released
On September 22, IFES Morocco released an updated version of its electoral lexicon mobile phone app. The app, named صوتي حقي , or “My Vote, My Right,” is an accessible civic education tool created for Moroccan citizens, particularly for those in the Deaf community. The app features live-person videos of all terms of the Moroccan sign language electoral lexicon in French, Arabic, and Moroccan sign language, as well as definitions of the terms in all three languages.
News & Updates
Feature
Leveraging Technology to Promote Active Citizenship
“A hackathon creates a space for exchanging ideas and expanding your network,” declared Ahmed, a Tunisian from the Nabeul governorate who participated in IFES' first Hack4Democracy (H4D) camp. “At first, [a H4D camp] doesn’t seem very different from a standard hackathon. But here, technology is mixed with democracy while combining useful information with fun content!” The H4D initiative was implemented by IFES in partnership with the Tunisian Youth Forum with the aim of increasing young Tunisians’ participation in public life through technological innovation.
News & Updates
Feature
Reflecting on Democratic Progress on International Day of Democracy
In 2007, the United Nations declared September 15 International Day of Democracy, with the aim of promoting and protecting democratic principles. At IFES, we have supported these principles for three decades, working to ensure that every voice has a vote. As we celebrate International Day of Democracy, our regional directors provide an overview of the important democratic trends and challenges, as well as the opportunities, from their respective regions.
News & Updates
Feature
Egyptian Students Visit IFES as Part of ACYPL Exchange Program
On September 7, IFES hosted a delegation of eight Egyptian college students to discuss projects in Egypt and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Visiting the United States as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders’ “Model American Congress” exchange program, the delegation took part in a question and answer session with President and CEO Bill Sweeney, MENA Regional Director Zeinab Abdelkarim, and IFES Egypt program staff.