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CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE

Strengthening Democracy and Governance (G/DG)

The continuing global transition toward democratic, accountable and representative governance has shown that political change is rarely a linear process. The overall global trend remains favorable, but democratic gains are often fragile and can be reversed. Most recently, while new opportunities emerged in Indonesia, Nigeria, and Slovakia, disappointing elections occurred in Kazakhstan, and progress in the Congo and Liberia has again stalled. Democratization is a long-term process, and progress will inevitably be uneven as countries grapple with how to transform their political, economic and social welfare systems.

Even in those cases where transitions from authoritarianism have occurred, considerable obstacles remain to permanently reforming political institutions and systems. This is the continuing challenge of USAID's strategy in democracy and governance: to strengthen public and private institutions of democratic governance, to make integrity, accountability, transparency and responsiveness to citizens at all levels of governance the norm, to overcome the insidious legacies of authoritarian rule, and to facilitate a deepening of citizen participation and cultural commitment to democratic norms.

By building on USAID's own experience and by tapping into the strength of this nation's democratic institutions and nongovernmental organizations, central programs increase the overall effectiveness of activities in this area of development work. Central programs managed by the Global Bureau's Center for Democracy and Governance provide the technical and intellectual leadership to help shape USAID and other U.S. Government democracy programs worldwide and to influence the assistance policies of other donors in the areas of rule of law, elections and political processes, civil society, and governance. Central programs work in collaboration with other USAID organizational units to provide strategic guidance in achieving the following objectives:

932-001. Legal systems operate more effectively to embody democratic principles and protect human rights (Rule of Law).

U.S. Financing Table for 932-001 (Microsoft Excel Document - 27 kb)

Respect for the rule of law and development of a well defined and functioning justice system are essential underpinnings of a democratic society and modern economy. Effective rule of law programs curb the abuse of power and authority, provide the means to equitably resolve conflicts, and foster social interaction in accord with legal norms, and gender equality. Rule of law consolidates the social contract between the government and the governed in a form that upholds democratic institutions and provides for sustained capability to serve and protect citizens. Central program resources are dedicated to the development of strategic approaches for building appropriate legal frameworks, strengthening justice sector institutions, improving access to justice, and promoting human rights.

932-002. Political processes, including elections, are competitive and more effectively reflect the will of an informed citizenry (Elections and Political Processes).

U.S. Financing Table for 932-002 - (Microsoft Excel Document - 27 kb)

Free and fair elections are indispensable to democracy. Although other elements of democracy can develop before competitive elections are held, a country cannot be truly democratic until its citizens have the opportunity to choose their representatives and hold them accountable. Elections can be a primary tool to expand political openings and increase citizens', including women's, political participation. Elections also offer political parties and civil society organizations, such as labor unions and other advocacy groups, an opportunity to mobilize and organize supporters and develop alternative platforms with the public. For an election to be free and fair and a step towards democratization, fundamental civil liberties such as freedom of speech, association, and assembly are required. Central programs provide technical personnel and resources to develop strategic approaches to voter education, political participation, and administration of elections. Indonesia, Kosovo, Mexico and Nigeria have been recent beneficiaries of centrally supported programs.

932-003. Informed citizens' groups effectively contribute to more responsive government (Civil Society).

U.S. Financing Table for 932-003 - (Microsoft Excel Document - 27 kb)

Civil society is emerging as a major democratic force in countries that suffer from a legacy of authoritarian government. These pro-reform groups are composed of religious leaders, human rights groups, business and labor federations, women's and environmental groups, legal activists and other civic groups. Civil society also, indeed predominantly, often operates independent of governments. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) implement hundreds of programs and undertake a myriad of activities. Central programs help to democratize NGOs internally and assist them in achieving a democratic role in society at large. USAID supports pro-democracy groups in the interest of wider citizen participation in policy formulation and greater government transparency and accountability.

932-004. National and local government institutions more openly and effectively perform public responsibilities (Governance).

U.S. Financing Table for 932-004 - (Microsoft Excel Document - 27 kb)

A primary challenge in building democracy within developing countries is to increase the effectiveness of government institutions in ways that go beyond mere efficiency. Sustainable democratic governance must encompass various aspects of transparency and accountability, such as responsiveness, accessibility, and citizen involvement. In support of the objective of transparent and accountable governance, the Center for Democracy and Governance's program resources are dedicated to a five-item agenda: (1) encouraging government practices and procedures that oppose and combat government corruption; (2) encouraging centralized regimes to devolve genuine authority for decision-making to local governments and assisting local governments to be more participatory, responsive, and effective; (3) improving the representative, lawmaking, and oversight functions of legislatures; (4) promoting civilian oversight of military functions in a manner that is supportive of democracy; and (5) assisting partners to implement policy change in a strategic manner that promotes the democratic principles of accountability, transparency, and participation. USAID's central program work in the governance area is carried out through new technical assistance mechanisms, instructional materials, and in assisting field missions to carry out democracy and governance assessments, design programming strategies, and support reform efforts. Collaborative efforts are underway in Bangladesh, Benin, Bulgaria, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ukraine, Senegal, and Uganda.

Central democracy programs support training of world-wide staff, provide direct technical support and maintain specialized grants, cooperative agreements, interagency agreements and contracts in support of country and regional programs. Central programs guide the conduct of country political sector assessments and the development of country program strategies. Regional trends are analyzed annually, and individual country initiatives are continually assessed for identification of "best practices" that might be replicated elsewhere. Based on this kind of research and analysis, resource allocation recommendations are formulated; country strategies critiqued; and technical guidance is produced for in-country use by development practitioners and beneficiary populations. As a result, expertise is growing and USAID programming in democracy and governance has become increasingly sophisticated. Technical knowledge has been amassed and guidance has been prepared and distributed on preferred program methodologies for anti-corruption, civil-military relations, democratic decentralization, legislative strengthening, implementing policy change, alternative dispute resolution, rule of law, political party development, elections administration, civil society, the media, and measuring the impact of democracy and governance programs. Additional case work is being conducted in many of these subjects to add further depth of analysis and increased understanding, while initial studies are being completed and documentation prepared on the topics of legal case management, post-election assistance, civic education, civil society strategies, labor strategies, and civic advocacy.

Equally important are on-going efforts which aim to identify and promote cross-sectoral synergies. For example, central programs continue to explore ways to better focus democratic processes that may improve the quality of economic policies and programs, enable civil society organizations to serve as catalysts for economic reform, strengthen the rule of law to enhance property rights and enforcement of contracts, and build transparency and anti-corruption activities that improve both citizen participation and conditions for economic growth. Central programs also are working to ensure that USAID activities supporting democratic decentralization and improved provision of urban services complement each other to the benefit of broader development objectives.

A centrally funded grant to the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (Solidarity Center) emphasizes the development of free, independent, and democratic trade unions, their role and participation in political and economic processes and the fostering of democracy. In Indonesia, Solidarity Center efforts are assisting in consolidating and expanding the country's free trade union movement following a long period of government control. Solidarity Center support for the efforts of Indonesian unions to push for the ratification of International Labor Organization Convention 87 was instrumental in bringing about a presidential decree of accession as one of the first acts of the new government. This was fundamental in changing the environment for independent, representative trade unions to function outside a government-controlled monopoly union. In Nigeria, the Solidarity Center is promoting a democratic and participatory trade union culture, and coalition-building efforts between labor and other civic organizations to strengthen advocacy efforts for governmental reform.

In cooperation with the Departments of Labor and State, USAID central programs are supporting a complementary effort to that of the White House Voluntary Apparel Industry Partnership and public and private aims to eliminate sweatshops. Central program activities include the administration of assistance awards to the International Labor Rights Fund and the Fair Labor Association.

Assistance from the Center for Democracy and Governance to Transparency International (TI), an international non-governmental organization, has been acknowledged as the catalyst to TI's five-fold growth of the past three years. Budgetary resources have expanded and the number of national chapters has risen to more than 70. TI is now established as the world's leading NGO dedicated to the issues of corruption and integrity. Awareness of these issues is rising steadily. TI's country-focused work includes surveys, workshops and programs in regulatory reform, ethics guidelines, financial management systems, advocacy training and civic education. Country-level results from USAID supported initiatives are being attained in Benin, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. Corruption assessments have resulted in new program initiatives in Morocco, Madagascar, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Lebanon, and Paraguay. A journalism training program and an anti-corruption public relations program in Lebanon are examples of approaches employed to effect change. On another front, USAID partnered with the Organization of Economic Development and Cooperation in co-funding and organizing anti-corruption forums in Istanbul, Manila, and Washington, D.C. over the past year.

A pilot program to explore means by which USAID might improve civilian oversight of the military is underway. In partnership with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), the central program focuses on civilian audiences. The program promotes approaches to military accountability and civic advocacy for military transparency and accountability.

Two new agreements were recently awarded in the area of rule of law and human rights. The recipients are Freedom House, in partnership with the American Bar Association and NDI, and the International Foundation for Election Systems, in partnership with the International Human Rights Law Group. The purpose of the awards is to institutionalize arrangements with relevant partner organizations at the central level to build capacity both within and among the partnering organizations and to facilitate bilateral mission access to leading human rights organizations. For USAID the ability to respond rapidly on rule of law issues as they arise, particularly those concerning human rights in a country of foreign policy significance, has become increasingly evident. A relevant example was the deployment of American Bar Association-secured lawyers to assist in the collection of evidence of possible war crimes from Kosovo refugees at Fort Dix in 1999. A promising longer-term activity is under development in Morocco where leadership in the Ministry of Justice is being consulted on the matter of judiciary reform, starting with commercial courts.

NDI, the International Republican Institute, and the International Foundation for Election Systems are recognized authorities in democracy and governance programming and are USAID's major partners for the delivery of assistance for electoral and political processes strengthening. The rapid response capacity of these organizations continues to be particularly critical to the timely delivery of U.S. support for democratic processes in fast-changing political environments around the world. Assistance for elections and political processes was widespread over the past year. Among examples of critical foreign policy interest, assistance was provided in Nigeria, Indonesia, and Kosovo from USAID's central programs last year.

In countries where USAID has little or no presence, activities of short duration and limited scope may be managed through central programs. These programs are typically planned jointly with the U.S. Department of State and funded through Economic Support Funds (ESF) to respond to important foreign policy needs. Much of the ESF managed by central programs goes to assist post-conflict situations or to help democratic elements in authoritarian states, for example, Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, and Laos.