Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

The researchers, from the University of Aarhus’s Faculty of Political Science, argue that despite a multitude of assistance programmes, political parties in developing countries in Africa have not been institutionalised.

In their report, entitled International Party Support: How does it work as a democratic tool? (Danish only) they are critical of the example offered by the Swedish model of assistance for political parties, which has proven to be very fragmented and bureaucratic.

The Dutch model is presented as more efficient in terms of organisation and the only one to have achieved real results. However, the report also emphasises the fact that the multiparty model pursued by organisations like NIMD requires both long-term commitment and in-depth knowledge of recipient countries.

Further, the researchers admit that party strengthening and democracy promotion are very difficult tasks whose impact is likewise difficult to measure.

“There is a need for a more holistic approach to democracy development including the involvement of an active civil society and the development of stable institutions as well as providing demand driven support based on local contexts,” they write.

The researchers conclude that the proposed Danish Institute of Multiparty Cooperation (based on the ill-fated Norwegian Centre for Democracy Support, which was disbanded in 2009) is an unfortunate compromise between the political parties and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2008, a report by the British consultancy firm Global Partners & Associates for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA) noted that "the impact of NIMD has been marked ... and is widely regarded as a very successful innovation."

FURTHER READING
See also the following article: http://www.information.dk/231038 (Danish only)