Democracy Pillar
Regional Programs
The following lists both ongoing and completed democracy programs involving two or more countries. [Additional reform pillars are noted within parentheses, as appropriate.]
Middle East Legal Development Initiative – this program educates foreign public defenders, prosecutors, and judges on critical principles of code reform for criminal and civil law, constitutional reform, human rights, and methods to preserve judicial independence. It will foster the creation of a Middle East Justice Institute, a regional framework to support capacity development of individuals and organizations working in the judicial and legal sphere.
Transparency and Accountability Project – this program is intended to empower local civic associations to play a constructive role in advocating for change and enhanced transparency, accountability, and good governance in Lebanon and other countries in the region. A regional conference was held in Beirut in 2004 for NGO leaders from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and several other countries to meet with Lebanese leaders who had developed TAG projects locally.
Democratic Strengthening Project – under the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) arrangement, the U.S. based NGOs the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) are conducting a wide-sweeping, multi-year program intended to bolster democratic institutions throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Program activities include providing consultations with party officials, organizing focus groups, coordinating workshops on the focus group feedback and party contact methods, and developing and distributing videos on constituency outreach, among numerous other activities.
Enhancing Corporate Governance – Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) is funding the strengthening of corporate governance efforts to promote transparency, rule of law, and protection of shareholders’ rights in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Morocco in addition to organizing a series of conferences and workshops on corporate governance in the region. The program will update for each country “The Report on Observances of Standards and Codes,” which assess corporate governance trends.
Strategic Planning Workshops – working with the MEPI Regional Office in Tunis, the Egyptian NGO Support Center (ENGOSC) conducted a series of training workshops for targeted civil society organizations and NGOs in Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco. The training workshops focused on organizational strategic planning, capacity-building skills, and awareness of ways that individuals and groups can apply for outside funding.
Elections Assistance – under this program, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is assessing the political climate and technical capacity for democratic elections in select countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The assessment results will form the basis for a draft regional strategy. Different obstacles have prevented IFES from visiting Algeria, Bahrain, and Tunisia, but they provided MEPI with assessments for Morocco, where a successful visit was made, and for Yemen, where IFES has an office in place.
An Initiative for Open and Pluralistic Media in Five Arabic Speaking Countries – this project was designed to enhance local media capacity in Algeria, Bahrain, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia through specific training, thereby developing the skills of individuals and local NGOs. The goal was to increase the ability of the participants to support the creation and growth of pluralistic and open media.
Middle East North Africa Media Development Initiatives Alliance – In this comprehensive media program, the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) will provide legal and advocacy support for improved press laws and protection of journalists throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The program targets the commercial and regulatory concerns of the media industry by injecting needed legislation support, funds, business tools, and training into the field to accelerate independence, diminish the existing media oligopoly and to support local demands for democratic institutions.
Parliamentary Staff Training and Technical Assistance for Legislatures – This project of the National Council of State Legislature (NCSL) enhances the ability of legislative bodies in the region by building parliamentary skills and capabilities in Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon, and Tunisia. The program identifies areas for parliamentary staff training in each country and runs regional workshops for skills development and legislative improvement. The program also provides secondary workshops and technical assistance in order to promote fiscal analysis and the provision of independent information to the legislative branch of government. NCSL is in the process of designing follow-on programming to previous training of parliamentarians and professional staff in technology and administrative codification of laws. Projects in Morocco and Tunisia were expected to be completed by early 2006.
Management Consulting in Media Outlets in the Middle East and North Africa [Democracy] – this program, led by New York University (NYU) improves the content and profitability of select media outlets in North Africa and the Middle East through an intense program of consulting. In partnership with the Journalism Development Group (JDG), the program uses a mix of international and local trainers to work with news outlets. The consultants work with each news organization to build a custom improvement plan to address needed changes in news or business practices. Local managers then enact the plan with the help of the program consultants. Fellowship opportunities at NYU exist for emerging print media leaders at participating outlets.
Enhancing the Role of Arab Women in the Legislative Process – this program strengthens the practical skills and leadership of Arab women in the legislative process through the creation of joint plans of action prepared by Arab women across the region, designed to influence legislation that addresses women's rights. Through a series of workshops and consultations, the Center will also expose Iraqi women to practical skills of women who have worked in countries in the MENA region to influence legislation within the framework of existing constitutions, family laws, and civil codes based on Shari'a.
Democracy
Programs
Algeria
Egypt
Lebanon
Morocco
Tunisia
Economic
