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Political Overview
In the wake of the June 28, 2004 transfer of sovereignty from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to the Iraqi Interim Government, there is much activity within the Iraqi political landscape. On August 17, 2004, Iraqi political party actors gathered in Baghdad to formally appoint the Iraqi Interim National Council whose responsibilities include two-thirds veto power over executive orders and budget authority. Iraq is expected to hold elections on January 30, 2005 to select a Transitional National Assembly, with the responsibility of drafting a constitution, and local governorate councils. Once the constitution is ratified by the people of Iraq, full elections will be held for the permanent Prime Minister and the legislature.
However, security remains tenuous and democratically inclined forces are challenged by insurgent forces and an atmosphere of high unemployment and continued shortages of essential goods and services. Despite the difficult security environment, political parties and civic organizations are actively preparing to participate in the 2005 electoral process, an important and necessary event as Iraq transitions toward democratic governance.
NDI in Iraq
NDI's engagement with Iraqi democrats has been ongoing since 1999. The Institute established an in-country presence in June 2003 and launched its programs with an extensive country-wide assessment and a series of focus groups to determine how best to provide assistance to Iraqis.
Current Programs
NDI's programs in Iraq focus on civil society development, political party strengthening, assistance with the formation of a democratic legislature and executive branch of government, supporting women's political participation and helping ensure an open and fair electoral process. To implement these programs, NDI draws on a number of Iraqi and international experts in democratic development and has produced numerous publications in Arabic.
NDI's work with Iraqi civil society groups focuses on democratic political awareness and citizen participation in Iraq's political life. Specifically, the Institute assists civil society groups in developing basic organizational structures and strategic plans for becoming actively involved in the political process including monitoring elections and the drafting of the constitution. NDI also helps partner organizations develop a collective voice so that they can play an intermediary role between citizens and public officials. The Institute implements these programs by facilitating regular meetings between the leaders of civil society groups, organizing seminars to discuss the role of civil society in a democracy and arranging workshops and consultations to help groups build their internal capacity.
NDI's political party program has a long-term goal of building coalitions and strengthening political parties that represent a democratic middle. Since January 2004, NDI has provided training to more than 90 parties from around the country on issues including party organization, leadership, voter outreach, communication, fundraising and budgeting. Other political party training includes campaign academies and workshops providing hands-on training specifically on message development and dissemination.
NDI's governance program has three primary objectives: to strengthen the legislative and the executive branches and to support constitutional development. To this end, and in response to requests from members and staff of the Interim National Council, NDI is organizing training on parliamentary procedures and legislative drafting. NDI will also make available to Iraqis international comparative resources in support of the constitutional process.
NDI's program to strengthen women's political participation in Iraq is designed to foster an environment in which women are viewed as credible and effective leaders. The Institute works with political parties and civil society organizations in developing concrete, organic strategies for including women in political structures. NDI also continues to build a network for women political activists that provides a forum for assistance across party lines and gives women the skills to present themselves as professional and competitive candidates. Recruitment for this multi-party network began in March 2004 with a workshop dedicated to assisting women with public speaking and from which the Institute identified more than 50 promising women candidates. NDI actively works to maintain the growing Iraqi women's network with an electronic newsletter. The Institute has also provided training to women members of the Interim National Council in legislative process.
NDI's election program focuses on promoting legitimacy and transparency in the electoral process. Specifically, the program concentrates on working directly with civil society groups in the creation of a broad-based civic coalition responsible for monitoring Iraqi elections. Training for the civic coalition includes domestic election monitoring and voter education. NDI will provide technical assistance, training, materials and consultative support to respond to changing priorities leading up to the Iraqi elections.
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| Mock polling station exercise. |
Indonesia Study Mission
During the month of September 2004, nine civil society leaders participated in an election observation mission to Indonesia to gain hands on experience monitoring an actual election.
"Iraqis have not been made aware of the election preparations and framework up until now but because of this trip to Indonesia we are seeing how elections work and how it may work in Iraq. Knowing how election procedures work makes us excited about what can be done in Iraq for the elections." Study Mission participant and leader of a women's organization.
Campaign Academies
In June 2004, NDI began offering Campaign Academies to Iraqi political parties. Parties nominated three activists each to participate in a one-week training course. The Campaign Academy offered courses covering all aspects of preparing for and running an effective election campaign. Training for political parties continue on a weekly basis.
"We...highly appreciate NDI's efforts and would like to express our thanks for what you do [for] our members by organizing sets of training courses that expanded and developed our knowledge with valuable features and details related to the process of coming elections and the rules of establishing democracy in Iraq." Secretary General of a leading Iraqi party.
Contact Information
For more information on NDI’s programs in Iraq, please contact:
Makram Ouaiss, Senior Program Manager
makram@ndi.org
Chris Homan, Senior Program Manager
choman@ndi.org
Susan Kupperstein, Senior Program Officer
skupperstein@ndi.org
Updated January 2005
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