Building Global Democracy

The Building Global Democracy Programme explores how ‘rule by and for the people’ can be understood and practised in relation to global issues. How can democracy be meaningful in today’s more global world? How can affected people participate in and control the governance of global concerns such as climate change, financial crises, health challenges, human rights, internet communications, security problems, and trade?

Launched in 2008, the Building Global Democracy Programme brings together interested academic researchers, civil society activists, entrepreneurs, journalists and officials from all world regions. Our projects cover issues such as: rethinking democracy for a global age; citizen learning for global democracy; including the excluded in global policymaking; resource redistribution for global equity; and intercultural constructions of legitimate global governance.

The BGD Programme is facilitated and coordinated through a convening group of ten persons based in ten world regions. Our administrative office is located in the Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation at the University of Warwick. Core funding is provided with a generous grant from the Ford Foundation.

Website: http://www.buildingglobaldemocracy.org/

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide.

International IDEA’s mission is to support sustainable democratic change by providing comparative knowledge, and assisting in democratic reform, and influencing policies and politics.

What does International IDEA do?

In the field of elections, constitution building, political parties, gender in democracy and women’s political empowerment, democracy self-assessments, and democracy and development, we undertake our work through three activity areas:

• Providing comparative knowledge derived from practical experience on democracy building processes from diverse contexts around the world;

• Assisting political actors in reforming democratic institutions and processes, and engaging in political processes when invited to do so; and

• Influencing democracy building policies through the provision of our comparative knowledge resources and assistance to political actors.

Where does International IDEA work?

International IDEA works worldwide. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, it has offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Website: http://www.idea.int/

The Korea Democracy Foundation(KDF)

KDF was created with the legislation of the Korea Democracy Foundation Act which was passed by the National Assembly with the belief that the spirit of the democracy movement should be extended, developed and acknowledged as a critical factor in bringing democracy to Korea.

The foundation is a not-for-profit organization set up for the purpose of enhancing Korean democracy through a variety of projects aimed at inheriting the spirit of the movement.

Website: http://www.kdemocracy.or.kr/sub_01/engsub_01.asp

Lembaga Survei Indonesia (Indonesian Survey Institute)

The Institute regularly surveys public opinion on political issues and elections. It compares itself with GALLUP POLL, HARRIS POLL, ROPER and CROSLEY POLL

Website: http://www.lsi.or.id

newdemocracy

The newdemocracy Foundation helps people reform Australia’s political system, by involving them in the process, so that government is more authentically democratic, deliberative and representative.

About newdemocracy

• newdemocracy wants to put people back into politics by facilitating their involvement in political processes.
• newdemocracy aims to promote, encourage and provide opportunities for discussion and thinking about the need for political reform
• newdemocracy aims to build public understanding of the current political system; its successes and failures; and initiate ideas about alternative political processes: ones with better representation and more participation, that would give citizens improved ownership in policy and decision making.
• newdemocracy is not a political organisation or political party. It is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2004.

Website: http://www.newdemocracy.com.au/ndf

Parties and Elections in Europe

Parties and Elections in Europe provides a comprehensive database about the parliamentary elections in the European countries and autonomous subdivisions since 1945 and additional informations about the political parties, the electoral systems, the acting political leaders, the governments and the electoral laws. The parties are characterised according to their political orientation. The website also contains an electoral calendar, news in brief and links to parties and election authorities.
The database currently contains the results of legislative elections from all European countries and more than 100 subdivisions. Use the menu bar to find every listed country, region or province.

Website: http://www.parties-and-elections.de/

People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)

Founded in 1994 by more than 200 members, the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) is a civil organization dedicated to promoting justice and human rights in Korean society through the participation of the people.

PSPD has been serving as a watchdog against the abuse of power. It has developed various activities to bring justice and democracy to many areas in our society: the PSPD evokes public awareness through campaigns, questioning social and political activities, filing administrative and public litigations, and petitioning legislation. The Civil Actions for 2000 General Election (the CAGE) and the Minority Shareholders’ Campaign might be said to be the most successful activities.

PSPD has developed and coordinated a wide range of activities to bring about a systematic reform and to suggest counterproposals to various government policies and agendas. In this process, the PSPD has regarded independence and consistency as the most important principles of being a watchdog of power.

Website: http://blog.peoplepower21.org/English/

Pusat Reformasi Pemilu [CETRO] (Centre for Electoral Reform)

CETRO is the successor of UNFREL (University Network Free and Fair), which has been an active election observer. Website: http://www.cetro.or.id/newweb/index.php

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy

Taiwan’s peaceful transition to democracy is not only a historical accomplishment for its twenty-three million people, but a landmark in the worldwide spread of democracy. Only after years of struggle and effort could this transformation take place. We must never forget this history, for it shapes the cornerstone of our continued commitment to the principles of democracy and human rights.

The Foundation was established with an inter-related, two-tracked mission in mind. Domestically, the TFD strives to play a positive role in consolidating Taiwan’s democracy and fortifying its commitment to human rights; internationally, the Foundation hopes to become a strong link in the world? democratic network, joining forces with related organizations around the world. Through the years, Taiwan has received valuable long-term assistance and stalwart support from the international community, and it is now time to repay that community for all of its efforts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy project in 2002. After much research and careful evaluation, the Ministry integrated the required resources from many sectors of society. In January 2003, the Ministry obtained the support of all political parties to pass the budget for the Foundation in the legislature. The TFD formally came into being on June 17, 2003, with its first meeting of the Board of Trustees and Supervisory Board. At that meeting, Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng was elected its first chairman. According to its By-laws, the TFD is governed by a total of fifteen trustees and five supervisors, representing political parties, the government, academia, non-governmental organizations, and the business sector.

The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports Asian initiatives to improve governance, law, and civil society; women’s empowerment; economic reform and development; sustainable development and the environment; and international relations. Drawing on nearly 60 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.

With 18 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, DC, and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. In 2010, the Foundation provided more than $98 million in program support and distributed nearly one million books and journals valued at over $42 million.

Website: http://asiafoundation.org/country/overview/indonesia

The Centre for Democratic Institutions (CDI)

CDI is Australia’s leading democracy promotion organisation, established by the Australian Government in 1998. Our mandate is to support the strengthening of democratic processes and institutions in Southeast Asia and the Pacific through knowledge sharing and interchange between Australia and our close neighbours. CDI’s focus is on parliamentary governance and political parties, with special attention to the quality of electoral processes and the promotion of women’s representation. Our main partner countries are East Timor, Indonesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

CDI aims to harness Australian and international expertise in governance, institutional development and political practice in order to contribute to the development of good political leadership and robust, accountable democratic institutions in our region. Our objective is the transfer of skills and knowledge, not only from Australia to our partners but also amongst our partner countries themselves. We do this through intensive training courses for political practitioners and officials, capacity-building placements and interchanges with parliaments and parties. We pursue an agenda of policy-oriented research on issues related to parliaments, political parties, electoral systems, political leadership and representation.

CDI’s core budget is provided by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), as part of Australia’s overseas aid program. We also benefit from working cooperatively with a range of international development organisations, UN bodies and international NGOs. CDI is based at the Australian National University (ANU) in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. Our location at ANU provides an institutional base for our operations and we are able to both draw upon and contribute to the intellectual resources and reputation of a premier centre of learning in Australia.

Website: http://www.cdi.anu.edu.au/about_cdi/about_cdi.htm

The Museum of Australian Democracy

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is an Executive Agency within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio, with the Hon Simon Crean MP, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts, as the responsible Minister.

Vision and role

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is a living museum of social and political history, located in a nationally listed heritage building in Parkes, Canberra.

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House helps people to understand Australia’s social and political history by interpreting the past and present and exploring the future. We achieve this by:

• bringing alive the importance of Parliament in the lives of Australians;
• interpreting, conserving and presenting the building and our collections;
• providing entertaining and educational public programs; and
• providing a range of other services that enhance the visitor experience.

Website: http://moadoph.gov.au/