Spreading the News: The Role of Media in Transitioning Democracies
Traditional and social media play a critical role in transitioning democracies. These outlets empower citizens by providing information and a platform for expression. This podcast discusses the...
View ArticleProtecting the Right to Vote: Trends in Electoral Integrity
Election administrators and other stakeholders in the election process have important roles to play in ensuring a credible vote. When elections are poorly planned or riddled with fraud, however, the...
View ArticleLessons Learned from Kenya's 2013 Poll: A Conversation with IEBC Chairman Hassan
Kenya's March 4 election ushered in the first elected government under the country’s new constitution. The election was widely regarded as credible and peaceful and, in the end, Uhuru Kenyatta was...
View ArticleReflecting on Democracy in General and in Burundi
As Serge Nanourou takes on the role of IFES Chief of Party in Burundi, he reflects on the current state of democracy in the country and what IFES is doing to strengthen it. He also talks about his...
View ArticleHonest Conversations: The Role of Stakeholders in Electoral Integrity
Credible, transparent elections are critical to ensuring the voices of all citizens are heard. Building safeguards against fraud is integral to establishing a trustworthy electoral process. In this...
View ArticleTrusting Technology in Elections
Technology is rapidly changing, altering the political and electoral landscape across the globe. As emerging democracies explore the use of technologies in elections, delicate choices must be made to...
View ArticleDivergent Trends: E-Voting in the U.S. and the World
In this Google Hangout, experts will discuss the latest electronic and Internet voting technologies; how to overcome the challenges they pose; and prospects for their growth in the United States.
View ArticleDeveloping an Active Citizenry through Civic Education
It is critical to examine how a sense of citizenship develops within these young people, as well as the methods through which societies educate them about their roles and responsibilities as active...
View ArticleEngaging Youth, Empowering Citizens
As young persons reach the age of enfranchisement and transition from passive to active citizens, it is crucial to provide them the tools and knowledge to that will help them build their country's...
View ArticlePlanting the Seed: Translating Civic Education into Citizen Engagement
Youth is a transitional stage of life. During this time, an individual’s relationship with their government changes from passive to active. As individuals reach the age of enfranchisement, and later...
View ArticleIFES 2013 Democracy Awards Dinner: Kay Granger Acceptance Message
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) honors Representative Kay Granger (R-Texas) with its 2013 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award. In her taped remarks, she speaks about the...
View Article2013 IFES Democracy Awards Dinner: Dr. Leonardo Valdés Zurita and IFE...
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) honors the head of Mexico’s Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) with its 2013 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award. IFE President Dr. Leonardo...
View Article2013 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Awards Dinner
The presentation of the 2013 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Awards took place on September 24 in Washington, D.C. Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Representative Kay Granger (R-Texas) and President of...
View ArticleInclusion of Marginalized Communities in Georgia
For many years, non-Georgian speaking regions of the country have been disenfranchised, as election information has been historically distributed only in the Georgian language. This podcast features...
View ArticleWomen’s Political Participation in Libya: Progress and Pitfalls
It is crucial that women’s voices are heard as Libya codifies human rights in national legislation and establishes government institutions. This panel centers on the current situation in Libya for...
View ArticleIn Post-Election Georgia, A New Outlook for Women
Georgia's October 2013 presidential election resulted in the nation's second consecutive peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box. Although women have made strides in political participation...
View ArticleCollaboration to Ensure Access: Crosscutting work in Myanmar
As Myanmar continues to develop and reform its electoral processes, it is important that all segments of the population, including women and persons with disabilities, are taken into consideration and...
View ArticleGeorgia PSA: Independent Person -- Free Choice
To this end, IFES supported the Coalition for Independent Living's (CIL) voter motivation and education campaign. This umbrella group of over 25 disabled persons' organizations produced a public...
View ArticleTransition at a Crossroads: Moving Beyond the GCC Agreement in Yemen
In late 2011, Yemeni political leaders and stakeholders endorsed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Agreement, which laid out a two-year roadmap for resolving Yemen's political paralysis. The agreement...
View ArticleReflecting on Human Rights: A Look at 2013
As we celebrate International Human Rights Day here at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), we take this opportunity to reflect on 2013 and share some of our biggest successes in...
View ArticleEqual Rights, Equal Access
Ensuring all citizens have access to the electoral process is a cornerstone of a vibrant democracy.IFES works around the world to secure and protect the electoral rights of persons with disabilities....
View ArticleProtests in Ukraine: Their Effects on Elections
In this podcast, IFES Chief of Party in Ukraine, David Ennis sheds light on the current demonstrations by drawing on insight provided by two decades of IFES public opinion polls in the country. He also...
View ArticleRevolution or Resolution: Is Ukraine Poised for Change?
Ukraine finds itself in unchartered, unstable territory. The EuroMaidan protests – triggered by the government's last minute decision not to sign the European Union Association Agreement – have been...
View ArticleFostering Democracy Through Education
The recently published Best Practices Manual on Democracy Education by the Council for a Community of Democracies provides a myriad of examples and case studies of democracy education programs for...
View ArticleIFES Honors and Celebrates the Work of Dr. Jørgen Elklit
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) presented Dr. Jørgen Elklit, Professor of Political Science and Government at Aarhus University, Denmark, with the 2013 Joe C. Baxter Award....
View ArticleChampioning Electoral Integrity: 2013 Baxter Awardee Dr. Jørgen Elklit
The 2013 Joe C. Baxter awardee, Dr. Jørgen Elklit, was selected because he has had a significant impact on the field of election administration and electoral integrity and transparency. In this podcast...
View ArticleApril 2014 Ukraine Survey and Preparations for May 25 Elections
On May 2nd IFES held an event to discuss the results of IFES' April 2014 Ukraine Survey and ongoing preparations for the early presidential elections.
View ArticleArguments and Friends: The Voice of Debate Participants
IFES’ 2010 University Debate Club was the first debate club formed in Afghanistan. Listen to the voices of Nasser Naimi, Mansur Shah and Zabihullah Barakzai about the impact the clubs had on them.
View ArticleU.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte on the Importance of Elections
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is privileged to have Senator Ayotte on its Board of Directors. The Senator has been a strong advocate for supporting democratic institutions...
View ArticleEngaging Voters in the Philippines Online and Offline
In this podcast IFES Chief of Party Beverly Hagerdon Thakur discusses the influence of social media on citizens in the Philippines and IFES' experiences coupling online engagement with offline,...
View ArticleVideo Tutorial on Election Day Procedures for May 25 Ukraine Election Observers
In this video tutorial, produced by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in partnership with the Ukrainian Central Election Commission (CEC), election observers learn about key...
View ArticleWhy and how to Get CNIC--Urdu
“Get your CNIC – get yourself registered to vote…because every vote counts!” Motivational voter education messages are instantly recognizable; they permeate the airwaves, and televisions in democratic...
View ArticleGuarding Against Fraud
Since its release, IFES has been using the seven standards outlined in GUARDE in a variety of challenging contexts around the world. In this episode IFES experts discuss their experiences using GUARDE...
View ArticleEqual Access at the United Nations
IFES served as an observer to the 7th Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. IFES has the ability to observe deliberations by the...
View ArticleCitizen Participation in Natural Resource Management in Niger
It is critical to the security and economic development of Niger that citizens' voices are heard. IFES is working with local partners to increase awareness of the risks and rights of workers in the...
View ArticleModern Applications of Election Technology
IFES supports the use of technology to promote sustainability in the democratic process, working with election management bodies to utilize various technologies that are appropriate in local context.
View ArticleElections Worth Dying For? A Selection of Case Studies from Africa
The book Elections Worth Dying For? A Selection of Case Studies from Africa examines the roots of violence within election processes in Africa from a variety of perspectives. Watch this special book...
View ArticleService Learning: Fostering Citizenship and Democracy
Service learning programs provide participants opportunities to apply their skills and education to community-level issues. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) incorporates...
View ArticlePromoting Participation By Electing Youth: The London Youth Advisory Council
The London Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) of Ontario, Canada is comprised of young people who are elected to their positions by the general public. Each councilor represents a ward, or region, of the...
View ArticleNurturing Democracy in the Maldives
In June, The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) held a “Democracy Camp” for 40 youths, aged 14-16, from around the country.The primary goal of the camp is to enhance the...
View ArticleBuilding Tomorrow: Fostering Citizenship and Democracy through Service Learning
Service learning is a unique approach to civic education for young people, incorporating both community service and academic learning objectives. This model is designed to enhance the learning process...
View ArticleReflections on Democracy Promotion
In this podcast, Svetlik discusses challenges and opportunities involved in organizing credible elections and ensuring all citizens have a voice in the way they are governed. Svetlik also describes the...
View ArticleSelima Ahmad: Business Leader and Peace Advocate
Women in Bangladesh subject to violence and intimidation. IFES’ Women Against Violence in Elections (WAVE) program gathers students and academics, civil society and media and business and political...
View ArticleIFES 2014 Democracy Awards Dinner: Maria Corina Machado Acceptance Message
In a recorded message, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado accepted the 2014 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award and discussed the state of democracy in Venezuela.
View Article2014 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Awards Ceremony
The presentation of the 2014 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Awards took place on October 1 at the Washington Marriot at Metro Center in Washington, D.C. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Congressman Steny...
View ArticleSecuring the Rights of Indigenous Communities in the Philippines
In this episode of Dialogues on Democracy, Philippine Election Commissioner Luie Guia discusses access for indigenous populations in his country.
View ArticleElection Observers' Guide: 2014 Early Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine
For international and domestic observers of the 2014 early parliamentary elections IFES produced a video that consists of six separate chapters that cover issues such as the rights and responsibilities...
View Article2014 IFES Baxter Award Ceremony Honors Dr. Christiana Thorpe
IFES) presented the 2014 Joe C. Baxter Award to Dr. Christiana Thorpe, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairwoman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Sierra Leone. Dr. Thorpe is the first...
View ArticleBarriers to Access are Coming Down in Haiti and Latin America
Election officials and disabilities rights organizations are working to break down barriers in Latin America and Haiti. In this video, IFES Inclusion Coordinator Anais Keenon interviewed Pamela Molina...
View ArticleElection Audits, Integrity, and Reform: Learning from the 2014 Afghanistan...
Join IFES and DI for a launch event with a panel discussion on the 2014 election and its aftermath, important standards for election audits, and the future of elections in Afghanistan.
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