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National Democratic Institute NDI envisions a world where democracy and freedom prevail, with dignity for all. We treat our colleagues and all persons with whom we interact with dignity.
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NDI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that believes a world rooted in freedom — where people have a say in how they’re governed and with leaders who are accountable to their people — fosters more stability, security and prosperity for everyone. NDI is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization that works in partnership around the world to strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms and values to secure a better quality of life for all. Our Vision:
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We envision a world where democracy and freedom prevail, with dignity for all. Our Mission:
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We work in partnership around the world to strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms and values to secure a better quality of life for all. Our Values:
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NDI believes there is no single democratic model, but that certain core values are essential to all democracies, including:
- Accountability: Leaders are responsive to the public interest and people are able to hold their leaders responsible for their conduct through institutionalized checks and balances;
- Transparency: Political activity is open and subject to public oversight;
- Equity: All people are treated justly and in accordance with their diverse conditions;
- Inclusion: Diverse voices and views are sought, respected and incorporated;
Pluralism: Free, open, and peaceful competition of ideas is universally embraced;
- Civic Participation: People are able to exercise their political and civic rights and responsibilities freely, and do so actively and respectfully;
- Rule of Law: Laws promulgated by duly elected representatives are consistent with universal human rights principles, adjudicated independently and enforced equally. NDI’s Guiding Principles:
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Our guiding principles spell out how we translate values of democracy into our work with one another and our partners to achieve our mission.
- Teamwork: We are committed as individuals and collectively to collaborate collegially across geographies, expertise and experiences toward achievement of our mission.
- Partnership: We place priority on our partners worldwide as the centerpiece of our global mission and programming, as they are the experts on their own experience. We are open to working with all civic and political actors that support peaceful democratic change. Empowering them is the key for democracy and freedom to prevail.
- Quality: We strive individually and collectively for excellence through research-based innovation and thought leadership, creatively learning and adapting based on evidence and respect for local context.
- Responsibility: We are individually and collectively responsible for our behaviors, actions, and the consequences of our actions to each other and to anyone with whom we interact. We act at all times in ways that promote the security and well being of our colleagues as well as those who support or benefit from our work, adhering to “do no harm”principles.
- Integrity: We conduct our work based on the ethics of honesty and openness free from conflicts of interest and in the service of our mission.
- Respect: We respect all political views and act with humility.

10/09/2026

How can citizen election observers monitor the growing impact of generative AI on elections?

The Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) invites you to our upcoming webinar on Monitoring Generative AI in Elections.

The webinar will bring together experts and practitioners to discuss the impact of generative AI on elections. The discussion will explore what the citizen observer community can do to safeguard electoral processes amid the increasing use of generative AI in various aspects of the electoral process.

📅 13 October 2026
🕐 12:00–13:30 UTC

📌 Register here 👉 https://bit.ly/4j8GaBQ

🎙️ How can scholarship shape foreign policy in times of crisis?In the latest episode of the   podcast,   President Dr. T...
10/07/2026

🎙️ How can scholarship shape foreign policy in times of crisis?

In the latest episode of the podcast, President Dr. Tamara Cofman Wittes joins Lawrence Rubin and Rachel Whitlark to explore how evidence-based research and expert insights can bridge the gap between scholarship and statecraft.

Their conversation dives into how analysis and practical experience shape decisions in a rapidly changing world.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of ’s podcast: ⬇️

Explore insights on democracy with Dr. Tamara Cofman Wittes as she discusses global challenges and resilience in democratic systems.

🎙️ What are we missing about democracy in Africa? ’s Senior Associate for Africa, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, joins The Ev...
10/06/2026

🎙️ What are we missing about democracy in Africa?

’s Senior Associate for Africa, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, joins The Everyday University Podcast to discuss elections, leadership, coups, Cameroon & ’s democratic future.

Watch the conversation ⬇️

What happens when you sit down with someone who has spent decades w...

🆕 At the Athens Democracy Forum,  ’s expert Kristen Sample moderated a cross-regional conversation on the hidden economi...
10/01/2026

🆕 At the Athens Democracy Forum, ’s expert Kristen Sample moderated a cross-regional conversation on the hidden economies that can help sustain authoritarian rule and kleptocracy.

The panel brought together civil society experts from Transparencia Venezuela and Resilient Societies to examine two very different resource sectors:

🇻🇪 ’s gold sector: An expert from TransparenciaVenezuela shared findings on the networks of public institutions, military actors, politically connected companies and transnational interests involved in illicit gold extraction and exports.

🇦🇫 ’s talc sector: An expert from Resilient Societies presented research on how control of natural resources and mining contributes to extractive kleptocracy, including who profits, how money flows and the risks faced by those documenting abuses.

The panel explored innovative approaches to transnational accountability and practical ways to raise the costs of kleptocracy.

🇺🇦 Ukraine is fighting for its future, and women parliamentarians are helping shape it.On September 8–9,  , the European...
09/29/2026

🇺🇦 Ukraine is fighting for its future, and women parliamentarians are helping shape it.

On September 8–9, , the European Parliament and the Верховна Рада України launched “Leadership and Resilience: Women Parliamentarians of Ukraine,” a program supporting women MPs as they navigate the challenges of wartime leadership.

The program brings women parliamentarians together to strengthen their voices in decision-making and equip them to lead on the issues shaping ’s future, from security and the economy to governance.

In Brussels, 12 Ukrainian women MPs from four political groups, led by Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk, met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and other women leaders in the European Parliament.

Through peer exchange, training and new networks, the program is helping women MPs lead effectively under pressure and contribute to Ukraine’s democratic future.

The initiative builds on 15 years of NDI support to Ukraine’s cross-party Equal Opportunities Caucus, helping ensure women and men have an equal say in shaping the country’s future.

🆕 Our latest   🗞️ explores how political protection, corruption & illicit financial systems enable   networks, alongside...
09/29/2026

🆕 Our latest 🗞️ explores how political protection, corruption & illicit financial systems enable networks, alongside stories of democratic resilience, leadership & from Côte d’Ivoire, Ukraine, the Middle East, Hungary & Nepal.

📩 Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/Sep-newsletter

Nearly 100 young reformers from 13   countries came together in   for   and the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network...
09/28/2026

Nearly 100 young reformers from 13 countries came together in for and the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network’s Next Gen in Reform Symposium.

Over three days, participants built connections across borders, identified shared barriers to democratic reform and developed strategies for action. From spoken word and to practical campaign planning, creativity was central to the conversation.

The symposium also helped strengthen a growing regional network of young reformers committed to working together for democratic renewal.

Different contexts. Common aspirations. and its partners are helping build a regional network of young reformers bringing energy, creativity & solidarity to democratic renewal.

📖 Read the full story: ⬇️

Lire En FrançaisWhen Nigerian activist Zakari Emmanuel Maikalma took the stage in Abuja, Nigeria, his spoken-word performance, “Gavel,” silenced the room before igniting it with applause. His lyrical call for justice and civic ownership set the tone for three days where young leaders from acros...

🌍 What happens the day after a landslide election?New governments in 🇭🇺   & 🇳🇵   face a critical test: turning public de...
09/17/2026

🌍 What happens the day after a landslide election?
New governments in 🇭🇺 & 🇳🇵 face a critical test: turning public demands for into durable institutions that can prevent corruption & hold those in power accountable.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4rfMtFJ

🌍 On  , we look at lessons from 🇭🇺   & 🇵🇱   on what it takes to rebuild democratic resilience.Years of local organizing,...
09/15/2026

🌍 On , we look at lessons from 🇭🇺 & 🇵🇱 on what it takes to rebuild democratic resilience.

Years of local organizing, civic engagement, coalition-building & community action can help create the conditions for democratic renewal when political openings emerge.

Read the full story ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4AflE8O

🗣️ Democracy means having a voice, a choice & a say in the decisions that shape our lives.This International  ,   stands...
09/15/2026

🗣️ Democracy means having a voice, a choice & a say in the decisions that shape our lives.
This International , stands with people around the world working for stronger, more accountable & responsive democracy. ✊

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