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Research ›› Democracy Research Guide
Civil Society StrengtheningThere is tremendous variety in the NGOs, IGOs and other bodies with a presence on the Internet and the number of such Web sites grows daily. The organizations currently presented in this section were chosen for their mission of fostering positive, democratic change around the world.Given the dynamic nature of the Web, this section is not an exhaustive list of relevant organizations and responsibility for site content and maintenance rests with the owners. Please note that the inclusion of an organization does not imply endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy. If you would like to suggest a site to be added to this list please send a message to gingerr@ned.org. Africa Action http://www.africaaction.org/index.php Africa Action is the oldest organization in the U.S. working on African affairs. Their mission is to change U.S. Africa relations to promote political, economic and social justice in Africa. They provide accessible information and analysis. Subject: Human Rights; Civil Society Strengthening; Economic Reform and the Business Sector Region: Africa Languages: English Research Tools: 1. Activist Toolkit 2. Annual Africa Policy Outlook published online 3. Collection of Commentaries, Opinion Pieces, Statements 4. Resources on Key Countries 5. Africa Policy E-Journal 6. Africa Web Bookshop 7. Position Papers, Reports and Articles Albert Einstein Institution http://www.aeinstein.org The Albert Einstein Institution is a nonprofit organization advancing the study and use of strategic nonviolent action in conflicts throughout the world. We are committed to the defense of freedom, democracy, and the reduction of political violence through the use of nonviolent action. Our goals are to understand the dynamics of nonviolent action in conflicts, to explore its policy potential, and to communicate this through print and other media, translations, conferences, consultations, and workshops. Subject: Civic Education; Civil Society Strengthening; Conflict Resolution; Elections Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. full-text, downloadable publications of the Albert Einstein Institution in more than 30 languages, including "From Dictatorship to Democracy" 2. information on current projects 3. information on nonviolent action America's Accountability/Anti-Corruption Project (AAA) http://www.respondanet.com Aims to increase public awareness about the disastrous effects of government corruption on society and to foster transparency and accountability in the administration of public resources by governments in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. Subject: Transparency and Anti-Corruption; Civil Society Strengthening Region: Latin America and the Caribbean Languages: English; Spanish Research Tools: 1. Best practices documents 2. Technical Assistance Modules 3. Online newsletters 4. Anti-Corruption Without Borders discussion list 5. Integrated Financial Management System for Latin America (SIMAFAL) model for the development of government integrated financial management systems. American Center for International Labor Solidarity (Solidarity Center) http://www.solidaritycenter.org The Solidarity Center is a non-profit AFL-CIO allied organization that assists workers around the world who are struggling to build democratic and independent trade unions. We work with unions and community groups worldwide to achieve equitable, sustainable, democratic development and to help men and women everywhere stand up for their rights and improve their living and working standards. Subject: Civic Education; Civil Society Strengthening; Conflict Resolution; Elections; Labor Unions and Workers Rights; Legislative Development and Assistance; Media and Freedom of Expression; Rule of Law; Transparency and Anti-Corruption; Women's Issues Region: Africa; Latin America and the Caribbean; Asia; Europe; Eurasia; Middle East and North Africa Languages: English Research Tools: 1. full-text, downloadable publications of Solidarity Center and partner reports, brochures, and other tools 2. current news and links to ICFTU updates 3. information on current projects 4. links to labor and worker rights organizations and to foreign-language web sites developed by Solidarity Center partners Association for Progressive Communications (APC) http://www.apc.org The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment, through the strategic use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), including the Internet. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: English; Spanish Research Tools: 1. training materials for capacity building, mostly focusing on technical or computer instruction 2. news and alerts on Internet rights 3. links and information on organizations 4. APC Women's Networking Support Programme 5. APC ICT Monitor Websites for Latin America, Africa and Europe Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs http://www.cceia.org The Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to research and education in the field of ethics and international affairs. Subject: Conflict Resolution; Human Rights; Civil Society Strengthening; Rule of Law Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. Abstracts and selected full text documents from back issues of their Ethics and International Affairs journal. 2. Online version of their Human Rights Dialogue publication. 3. Publications, transcripts, texts, and materials online in full text. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) http://www.carnegieendowment.org/ The Endowment conducts programs of research, discussion, publication, and education in international affairs and U.S. foreign policy. Subject: Conflict Resolution; Civil Society Strengthening; Rule of Law; Libraries and Documentation Centers Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. Foreign Policy magazine, which contains a searchable archive of past articles, though not available full text 2. Democracy and Rule of Law Project offers selected full-text articles, working papers and other publications 3. Guide to Experts containing contact information of Carnegie Endowment Associates 4. news, events, and other publications related to the Endowment's specific programs 5. Link to their russian and english language Moscow Office web site, http://www.carnegie.ru/. 6. The Carnegie Endowment's Library home page (http://www.carnegieendowment.org/about/library/) provides extensive Internet links for international affairs researchers. There are individual pages for area studies, calendars, think tanks, government sites, and more. The Center for Institutional Reform and the Informal Sector (IRIS) at the University of Maryland http://www.iris.umd.edu/ The Center helps government, business and civil society create and implement reforms that increase market oriented economic growth and strengthen democratic procedures. Subject: Economic Reform and the Business Sector; Civil Society Strengthening; Conflict Resolution; Rule of Law Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. Discussion Papers and Country Papers are available online in full text. 2. Advisory Assistance program materials and reports are available online in full text. 3. Links to other web resources. Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) http://www.democ.uci.edu/democ/ The CSD, University of California at Irvine, focuses around three central themes: the relationship between citizens and their government, the performance of democratic governments, and the consolidation of new democracies. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. Virtual Library on Democracy, a list of links to a variety of Internet information sources dealing with issues of democratization and democratic politics. 2. Bibliography of classic books on empirical democratic theory, new research on the topic, and recently published books by CSD Faculty. 3. Information on their Democracy Fellows program Centre for Democratic Institutions http://www.cdi.anu.edu.au/ CDI responds to the needs of developing countries in the field of good governance and democratic institutions. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. full-text access to reports online 2. links to other resources 3. texts to speeches and presentations Changemakers.net www.changemakers.net Changemakers is an initiative of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public that focuses on social entrepreneurship. Its mission is to provide inspiration, resources, and opportunities for those interested in social change throughout the world. Subject: Economic Reform and the Business Sector; Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. library of links to resources and publications organized by subject headings. Council for a Community of Democracies http://www.ccd21.org The CCD seeks to * Strengthen collaboration among governments and democracy advocates in building an effective worldwide community of democratic nations based on the initiative of the June 2000 Warsaw Community of Democracies Conference. * Help non-governmental organizations prepare for the November 2002 Community of Democracies meeting in Seoul and the 2004 meeting to be held in Chile. * Encourage governments and non-governmental organizations to share their pro-democracy programs and resources. * Promote collaboration among democratically elected parliaments and among delegations to the United Nations and other international organizations in support of democratic practices. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. listing of events 2. full text to key documents pertaining to the CCD and democratization Euroregional Center for Democracy http://www.regionalnet.org/ The CED is a non-governmental and non-profit organization, that promotes democracy and stability in Central and South - Eastern Europe. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening Region: Central and Eastern Europe Languages: Romanian; English Research Tools: 1. Democracy Online database (http://resource.regionalnet.org/) allowing users to search for other regional NGOs as well as potential funders. 2. web hosting 3. training opportunities 4. events for NGOs 5. "Impact" (www.regionalnet.org/newsletter/index.html), their monthly electronic newsletter, provides information on training and fellowship opportunities. Freedom House http://www.freedomhouse.org Freedom House is a broad-based, non-partisan organization focused on promoting democratic values around the world and standing opposed to dictatorships. Subject: Measurement and Ranking; Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. annual Freedom in the World report (an annual comparative assessment of the state of political rights and civil liberties in 191 countries) 2. on-line country reports and other publications related to religious freedom; offered through its Center for Religious Freedom division 3. on-line version of its annual survey of country freedom scores, 1972-73 to present Heinrich Boell Foundation North America Heinrich Böll Foundation http://www.boell.org A political party foundation based in Germany the Stiftung provides assistance to democratic groups around the world. The site is mostly in German Subject: Political Parties and Political Leadership; Civil Society Strengthening; Economic Reform and the Business Sector Region: Global Languages: English; Spanish Research Tools: 1. Full-text to reports are made available online 2. Information on events being held by the foundation 3. Links to web resources International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) http://www.ifes.org IFES is a nonprofit organization that provides nonpartisan technical assistance worldwide to promote democracy and serves as a clearinghouse for information about democratic development and elections. Subject: Elections; Civil Society Strengthening; Rule of Law Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. ElectionGuide.org: A comprehensive worldwide election calendar and guide for election results. 2. Survey Reports: The results of surveys and focus groups conducted by IFES in some 20 countries around the world. 3. IFES Publications: A wide range of IFES-authored publications, including electoral assessments, program news, white papers and handbooks. 4. Elections Today: Full text of past articles. Elections Today covers the electoral process and election news from around the world. 5. Democracy at large: Full index of articles with full text of selected issues. Democracy at large covers democracy development worldwide. 6. Links: Collection of links to electoral commissions as well as other organizations working in the democracy development field. 7. Money & Politics website: Information about global initiatives to promote good governance and the rule of law through transparency, accountability and regulatory enforcement of political finance laws. 8. Arab Election Law Compendium website: Collection of election laws in Arabic, English or French from countries throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa. 9. Buyer's Guide to Election Suppliers: An index of suppliers of election goods and services. 10. ElectionAccess.org: An analysis of election laws that impact citizens with disabilities that also highlights best practices in providing citizens with disabilities greater access to the electoral process. 11. Press Releases: Full archive of IFES' activities. Institute for International Studies (IIS) http://iis.stanford.edu/index.html The Institute for International Studies (IIS) conducts and promotes interdisciplinary research on key global and international issues at Stanford University. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. full-text access to publications online 2. faculty listing with biographies and bibliographies 3. Comparative Democracy Project (http://democracy.stanford.edu/) International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) www.irex.org/media/ http://www.irex.org/civilsociety/index.asp IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is the premier US nonprofit organization specializing in higher education, independent media, Internet development, and civil society programs in the United States, Europe, Eurasia, the Near East, and Asia. Subject: Media and Freedom of Expression; Civil Society Strengthening Region: Europe; Eurasia; Asia Languages: English Research Tools: 1. full-text publications are available online 2. information on grants and programs provided by IREX National Endowment for Democracy http://www.ned.org The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a private, nonprofit organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. The Endowment is governed by an independent, nonpartisan board of directors. With its annual congressional appropriation, it makes hundreds of grants each year to support prodemocracy groups in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the former Soviet Union. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening; Libraries and Documentation Centers Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. Full-text publications 2. Democracy Projects Database: http://geniehost25.inmagic.com/dbtw-wpd/projects-search.htm 3. Online Catalog: http://geniehost25.inmagic.com/InmagicGenie/opac.aspx 4. Sources of Funding in International Democratic Development Database: http://geniehost25.inmagic.com/dbtw-wpd/searchFunding.html 5. Democracy Research Guide: www.ned.org/research/demresources/intro.html Olof Palme International Center http://www.palmecenter.org/ The Olof Palme International Center works with international development co-operation and public outreach surrounding international political and security issues. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: Swedish; English Research Tools: 1. news alerts Open Society Archives http://www.osa.ceu.hu/archives/ OSA's mission is to: obtain, preserve and make available research resources for the study of Communism and the Cold War, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the issues of human rights; support the goals of Central European University by identifying, collecting, preserving and making available university records and personal papers of enduring value from its administrators, faculty, and students for the use of university staff, students, scholars and the general public; support and facilitate the philanthropic goals of the Soros foundations network, especially by providing information, records management and archival services for all its entities. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening; Human Rights Region: Central and Eastern Europe Languages: English Research Tools: 1. Reference Information Papers (RIP) on selected topics 2. Periodicals from the region and West 3. Special Book Collections on Cold War, Humarn Rights, History textbooks, etc 4. index to Audio-Visual materials 5. Reference Information Papers, thematic finding aids aiming to guide researchers to all the relevant archival materials at OSA that relate to a certain topic. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) http://www.osce.org The OSCE is a regional security organization whose 55 participating States are from Europe, Central Asia and North America. The OSCE has been established as a primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nation. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: English; French; German; Italian; Russian; Spanish Research Tools: 1. library containing documents, journals and decisions issued by various CSCE/OSCE negotiating bodies 2. OSCE Handbook (on-line Edition) 3. ODIHR Election Reports and Analyses of Election Laws 4. ODIHR Projects Database Organization of American States (OAS) http://www.oas.org/ The Organization of American States (OAS) is the hemisphere's primary policy forum for multilateral dialogue and action. Founded in 1890 as the International Union of American Republics, the modern OAS emerged in April 1948, when 21 countries joined to adopt its current Charter. Currenlty the OAS is an institution of 34 active member countries engaged in a broad set of common endeavours, ranging from strengthening regional security and supporting trade liberalization to consolidating democracy, fighting illicit drug trafficking, and promoting sustainable development. Subject: Elections; Legislative Development and Assistance; Civic Education; Civil Society Strengthening Region: Latin America and the Caribbean Languages: English; Spanish; French; portuguese Research Tools: 1. full-text publications 2. full-text documents on the OAS, including their Charter and Annual Reports 3. videos 4. speeches 5. radio broadcasts 6. webcasts World Movement for Democracy http://www.wmd.org/ The World Movement for Democracy is a global network of democrats including activists, practitioners, academics, policy makers, and funders, who have come together to cooperate in the promotion of democracy. Subject: Civil Society Strengthening Region: Global Languages: English Research Tools: 1. World Movement Participants Database- an online searchable database of participating organizations in the World Movement featuring contact information, mission statements, topical foci, types of activities, publications, and names of individuals who have taken part in World Movement assemblies. 2. What's Being Done On . . . ?- highlight the activities of various organizations in different global regions and links to important resources that are focused on a particular theme or area of democracy work. 3. Democracy Alerts 4. information on regional networks 5. Assembly reports available in full-text |
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