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Electoral Assessment
Elections in Syria: Analysis and Recommendations for Reform
IFES publishes two electoral assessments of the Syrian 2021 presidential election.
January 11, 2022
News & Updates
Feature
Elections on Trial Project: Inaugural Meeting of the Europe and Eurasia Electoral Jurisprudence Working Group
IFES is working to establish peer networks in Europe and Eurasia and Africa, supported by the United States Agency for International Development. Regional knowledge exchange allows judges and election commissioners to discuss best practices and share comparative examples of how other countries deal with specific categories of complaints and disputes.
News & Updates
Feature
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
IFES Celebrates International Youth Day
The United Nation’s International Youth Day 2017 is dedicated to “Youth Building Peace.” As a global leader in democracy promotion, IFES recognizes the importance of cultivating the next generation of leaders. On International Youth Day, we celebrate the contributions of young people to peace and justice.
News & Updates
Feature
Youth Forums Offer Hope to Young Syrians
In 2016, IFES assisted Syrian organizations based in Gaziantep, Turkey to found Musharaka, a forum to encourage civic engagement of Syrians living in Gaziantep. Through the Musharaka Forum, IFES and its local partners have been able to establish a beacon of hope and optimism where few others have realized success and meaningful impact.
News & Updates
Feature
Women at the Syrian Peace Table
Used by The Elders following the recent Syrian peace talks in Vienna, #wherearethewomen is an important social media petition that exposes the disconnect between interested and engaged Syrian women and their absence from international efforts to negotiate a settlement to the crisis in Syria.
Publication
Report/Paper
Crisis in Syria: Now is the Time to Seek Male Allies for Leadership Equality
With support from USAID's Global Women’s Leadership Program, IFES is developing a systematic approach for engaging men to support women in leadership and decision-making roles in political and electoral processes in Syria.
December 09, 2015
News & Updates
Feature
Beyond the Headlines: The Movement of Women and Girls in Conflict
On November 19, 2015, IFES and the Office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) hosted “Beyond the Headlines: The Movement of Women and Girls in Conflict,” the third installment of the “Women, Peace and Security” Capitol Hill breakfast briefing series.
Publication
Report/Paper
Lithuania: Money and Politics Case Study
Lithuania has rapidly developed both politically and economically since emerging from the Soviet Union in 1991. While the country has built a functioning parliamentary system of government, has become a member of NATO, and is on the verge of joining the European Union, it still faces many problems associated with the many consolidating democracies around the world. As in all democracies, populations need to trust that those they elect will represent their interests. Problems such as corruption, weaknesses in laws concerning the political financing, and unaccounted for political income and expenditures threaten the credibility of the process and hinder the speed at which democracy is consolidated. Additionally, Lithuania lacks the high level of vibrant debate about the issue of political financing among scholars, journalists and civil society bodies required to promote meaningful reform. Recognizing this, Lithuania has developed an independent Central Electoral Committee (CEC) and adopted laws requiring detailed and public disclosure of political finance accounts. Prior to conducting Money and Politics programming in Lithuania, the CEC had made a demonstrable interest in making information public. While scanning summary report of accounts and placing them on the internet, the user could not search, not easily compare and analyze the information. Interested parties were required to make an appointment to view more detailed, paper-based information. Further, while the Tax Authorities are required to audit final political party reports, enforcement is widely considered to be weak. Few, if any, cases of political finance violations have been forwarded and investigated, not to mention prosecuted. By addressing the difficult issues surrounding political finance with the support of IFES in 2002 and 2003, Lithuania is emerging as a model for other consolidating democracy to follow. Significant areas remain to be addressed. While Lithuania has taken concrete steps to reform political finance legislation, open political finance information to public scrutiny and oversight, and encourage debate, further efforts are required to actively enforce laws and regulations and raise the level of debate among the various governmental, legislative, and civil society groups. By addressing these areas, Lithuania has the potential for being an example of best practices while making local expertise and resources to other countries undergoing similar reforms.
December 31, 2002