News

While there can be tensions between democratization and development, these are so often overestimated that development practitioners compromise on democracy when in fact they should be insisting on it.

Legislatures are central to modern democratic politics, holding governments to account, and scrutinising legislation in order to generate more effective public policy. Yet during moments of crisis, legislatures are often bypassed as presidents and prime ministers prioritise a rapid response. The concern that legislatures will be marginalised, with greater power concentrated in the hands of […]

In Albania, as in most other countries in the world, the COVID-19 pandemic posed an unusual health emergency that directly or indirectly affected the wellbeing of the citizens, economy, and other social processes. The government had to quickly adjust many decisions, including the state annual budget to address the problems and effects caused by the […]

Following the events on Capitol Hill on 6th January, Devin O’Shaughnessy argues that US leaders can learn from other countries around the world on how to build a healthy, inclusive democracy.

Since the democratic transition in Albania in 1990, the country has gone through many reform processes, but it has not experienced an extensive growth of social (civic) movements.  Nevertheless, in recent years social movements arising around new causes are propelling progressive ideas into the public domain.    Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) has released a study which assesses the dynamics and potential of the most prominent social (civic) movements in Albania. The study provides an insight into their […]

Women’s rights are human rights. These include the right to life, to equality, to liberty and to security of person. However, the legal protection of these rights is not guaranteed in all parts of the world. Even where anti-violence laws do exist, they can be poorly resourced and enforced, inhibiting the rights of women to […]

Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic requires consolidated efforts from all fronts. As democratic representatives of the people, parliaments have the key responsibility of examining policies and their impact on citizens. This is essential in times of a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, WFD launched a project focused on supporting the Parliament of Sierra Leone by improving its access to crucial gender–sensitive data during the pandemic.  Gendered statistics are fundamental in understanding how COVID-19 affects different groups in society. For example: are pregnant women able to seek […]

WFD in Serbia promoted its new ”Guide to Digital Political Communication” which provides instructions on the different modes of digital communication for the content that political parties produce, aiming to help them improve their communication with the younger population. A short video was also created to depict how vital it is to learn the digital […]

Albania has dealt with two major crises during the period between 2019 and 2020. The devastating earthquake of November 26th, 2019 caused 51 casualties and thousands of people lost their shelter. While the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the country in March 2020 has caused 1066 casualties until mid-December 2020. Civil society and media in the […]

Openness and transparency are key ingredients of democratic governance. The two promote accountability and trust, which are necessary for the functioning of democracies. WFD recently held a two-day virtual study tour in Sierra Leone to support the country’s Parliament in its commitment to be an open and transparent institution for all citizens. Sierra Leone as […]

The world crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is a test for democracies everywhere. Democracies need constant care and attention. In a crisis, that support must be stronger. Throughout 2020, WFD has worked to make sure that democracies are more inclusive and more accountable so that everyone’s voices are heard in decision-making and nobody is left behind.  As we look forward to 2021, we are reflecting the five key lessons we will carry with us into […]