Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

The year 2007 started with the adoption in January by the African Union (AU) of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. This Charter is modelled after the Inter-American Democratic Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS). The principles laid down in both Charters are similar to those subscribed to by the Member States of the European Union (EU).

The Member States of the African Union committed themselves under this Charter to respect human rights and democratic principles such as, amongst others, the holding of regular, transparent, free and fair elections, and the separation of powers. The Member States ‘committed themselves to promote democracy, the principle of the rule of law and human rights’.

The normative Charters mentioned indicate a further international acceptance of the universality of democracy as the preferred system of governance. It is in line with the aspirations of people around the world who consistently indicate in opinion polls that they prefer to live in democracies. Yet, the practice of democracy, and making democracy deliver social justice, is proving hard to achieve. The unfortunate events in the wake of the Kenyan presidential election at the end of 2007 are an illustration in a longer list of countries, of political elites failing to implement necessary political reforms for consolidating democracy.

Permanent maintenance
Political systems that are inclusive, in which all population groups are fairly represented through independently managed elections and in which there is transparent parliamentary oversight of the executive and an independent judiciary, provide guarantees against implosion into violent conflict. Such inclusive political systems are also stabilized by open and free political debate, well-institutionalized political parties and civil society. There is no alternative but to invest in political reforms to enhance the performance of democratic political systems and to support these reform processes. For democracy to function well, it needs permanent maintenance.

NIMD invites its partners in young democracies, political parties and groupings to engage in an inclusive dialogue about needed reforms. The implementation of agendas which result from these reforms is assisted. The institutionalization of the inclusive dialogues in Centres for Multiparty Democracy (CMDs) is a further area of assistance provided by NIMD. The CMDs are becoming important national catalysts for agreement about the advancement of democracy and the institutional development of political parties, as well as for constructive relations between political parties on the one hand and civil society and media on the other. At the same time, the CMDs are becoming impartial platforms through which other international partners can provide assistance to democratic reforms.

The 2007 annual report presents the reader with an overview of the activities supported, results achieved and lessons learned by NIMD. Providing democracy assistance in a complex international environment remains a considerable challenge. For us, who know the value of living in a democracy, it is a challenge that deserves our fullest and continued support

Bernard Bot
President, NIMD