International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
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The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) aims to develop the institutions and culture of democracy worldwide. It tries to link those who analyse trends in democracy and activists who engage in political reform or support democracy. IDEA works with a range of institutions at international, regional and national level.
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[edit] Aims
- Assist countries build capacity to develop democratic institutions.
- Provide a forum between policy-makers, academics and practitioners.
- Synthesize research and field experience, and develop practical tools to improve democratic processes.
- Promote accountability, transparency and efficiency in election management.
- Facilitate local democracy assessment, monitoring and promotion by local citizens.
[edit] Current areas of activity
- Democracy building and conflict management – developing the process for building consensus, setting priorities, designing political institutions and constitutions, organising dialogue and decision making, promoting reconciliation and inclusive democracy.
- Strengthening electoral processes – adapting electoral systems, improving access and turnout, ensuring professional management and independence, building public confidence.
- Developing political parties as actors in democracy – reviewing external regulation and enforcement, public funding, internal management and democracy, relations with civil society and the public.
- Political equality and participation, especially of underrepresented groups, including women in politics – identifying ways to build commitment and experience with special measures such as quotas.
IDEA offers database access on topics as voter turnout, electoral system design, quotas for women and political finance laws and regulations.
IDEA has been granted UN observer status.
[edit] Members
International IDEA's founding member states were Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, India, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden.
Today, it has 24 members, including also Botswana, Canada, Cape Verde, Germany, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Switzerland and Uruguay.
[edit] Internal structure
International IDEA's headquarters are located in Stockholm. Approximately two thirds of its roughly one hundred staff members work there. The rest is based at five regional offices: in San José (Costa Rica), Lima, Pretoria, Accra and Yerevan.
The current Secretary-General is the Norwegian Vidar Helgesen (since 2006).
