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589 results found for "Environmental democracy"
This study identifies the opportunities for, progress made, obstacles to, and consensus on national policies and strategies for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Mozambique. It articulates ways forward for building an inclusive society and achieving social justice.
Mozambique | Report |
Albania is significantly vulnerable to climate change. The government has taken several initiatives to address climate change in the mid to long-term, such as the approval of the Action Plan of the National Strategy on Climate Change (NSCC) 2020-2030, the Climate Change Law (2020), the implementation of adaptation programs etc.
Albania | Report |
Since 2007, WFD has been working in Uganda to support more inclusive, accountable, and transparent political systems and institutions – such as the Parliament of Uganda. So far, our programmes have supported, and continue to support, greater access and inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in formal and informal political processes. Additionally, they have facilitated scrutiny of government performance including progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Having carefully assessed the Serbian political and economic context, we decided to focus our programming on circular and youth migrations, youth political engagement, and work with political parties and organisations.
Between 2015-2018, WFD supported increased oversight of public money through the establishment of the first ever Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia (NARS). Since, 2019 WFD Serbia has focused on the issues of youth emigration, youth political education, and strengthening inner party democracy in Serbia. With the pandemic outbreak in 2020, we centred our focus around the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia (NARS). With WFD’s assistance, the first regional Parliamentary Emergency Subcommittee for Response to COVID-19 was established.
Between 2015-2018, WFD supported increased oversight of public money through the establishment of the first ever Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia (NARS). Since, 2019 WFD Serbia has focused on the issues of youth emigration, youth political education, and strengthening inner party democracy in Serbia. With the pandemic outbreak in 2020, we centred our focus around the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia (NARS). With WFD’s assistance, the first regional Parliamentary Emergency Subcommittee for Response to COVID-19 was established.
In September 2018, WFD launched the three-year Western Balkans Democracy Initiative to strengthen political parties, parliamentary practice and democratic institutions in the region. The program in Montenegro worked on inclusion of the less represented groups (youth and marginalized women), with the aim to engage them more in the public and political life. After these initiatives, the program focused on the improvement of transparency and accountability policies. EU accession negotiations are the primary focus for institutions in Montenegro. Progress under Chapters 23 and 24 are central to the process, requiring the implementation of certain reforms before negotiations in other areas are taken forward.
Support for Montenegrin political parties with cross-party dialogue and to civil society organizations on transparency, accountability and effective policymaking will contribute to this reform agenda.
Support for Montenegrin political parties with cross-party dialogue and to civil society organizations on transparency, accountability and effective policymaking will contribute to this reform agenda.
Maldives, with a significant young population, grapples with low youth representation in politics. Along with local experts, WFD in Maldives aims to support youth voices and participation and identify the concerns of young people that demand attention from lawmakers.
Maldives |
On 16 May 2022, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy presented the findings from its latest study on socio-political participation of young people in North Macedonia. The findings show that half of young people (51%) take initiative to solve certain social problems, but only one third manage to often solve the problems they engaged with. One third of the respondents (34%) believe the country is farther from the EU perspective compared to last year. Almost half of respondents (45%) believe the country will become an EU member state, which is a drop of 15% compared to 2019. Half of young people (57%) rarely or never follow political events and developments in the country. Young people with disabilities are facing greater challenges in increasing their participation compared to the general youth population.
North Macedonia | Study |
Recently, WFD held a women parliamentarians’ forum in Morocco to advocate for the establishment of a parliamentary working group/committee dedicated to equity and parity.
Morocco |
WFD has been working to strengthen democracy in Sierra Leone since 2001. WFD programmes support the Parliament of Sierra Leone in its efforts to become a more open and accessible institution for all citizens. This has ushered the Parliament of Sierra Leone as a key player in the global open government space for openness and transparency. WFD has also supported many institutional strengthening and capacity building programmes of the parliament.
Overtime, WFD has supported the establishment of a vibrant research department, build the capacity of its Hansards, broadened the space for south-to-south learnings, and parliamentary regional integrations among Members of Parliament. WFD programmes also promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in electoral and political processes in Sierra Leone. During the COVID-19 era, WFD supported evidenced based programming on gender inclusion and coordination.
Overtime, WFD has supported the establishment of a vibrant research department, build the capacity of its Hansards, broadened the space for south-to-south learnings, and parliamentary regional integrations among Members of Parliament. WFD programmes also promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in electoral and political processes in Sierra Leone. During the COVID-19 era, WFD supported evidenced based programming on gender inclusion and coordination.
This framework clarifys what electoral commission independence is and offers a framework for election observers, civil society groups, parties, journalists, and the public to use to assess the independence of a specific electoral commission.
Guide |
The 9 May 2018 elections brought the first change of government in Malaysia after 61 years. Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) led the orientation of the newly elected MPs and a round-table on future reforms chaired by the Speaker. The new government vowed to ‘Restore the Dignity of Parliament’ in its manifesto Promise 16 which had paved way for parliamentary reforms. In this context and drawing on internal and external expertise, WFD is working with the Malaysian parliament to embed institutional reforms.
These reforms aim to strengthen parliament at the centre of the country’s political life and make it relevant to the people it serves. The reform-focused interventions of WFD include enhancing capacity of the Parliamentary staff to support Members, providing technical support and guidance to the newly formed parliamentary committees and establishing accountable and inclusive parliamentary processes and systems.
The inclusion of women’s participation in politics is also an area that is continuing to develop in the country. As part of the broader Commonwealth Partnership for Development (CP4D) initiative, WFD is working with a local CSO to promote gender equality in Sabah and creating linkages with other CSOs as they develop advocacy strategies to raise awareness about gender issues. Low political representation of women, only 10% in the State Legislative Assembly, is a key driver of WFD’s work in Sabah.
These reforms aim to strengthen parliament at the centre of the country’s political life and make it relevant to the people it serves. The reform-focused interventions of WFD include enhancing capacity of the Parliamentary staff to support Members, providing technical support and guidance to the newly formed parliamentary committees and establishing accountable and inclusive parliamentary processes and systems.
The inclusion of women’s participation in politics is also an area that is continuing to develop in the country. As part of the broader Commonwealth Partnership for Development (CP4D) initiative, WFD is working with a local CSO to promote gender equality in Sabah and creating linkages with other CSOs as they develop advocacy strategies to raise awareness about gender issues. Low political representation of women, only 10% in the State Legislative Assembly, is a key driver of WFD’s work in Sabah.
This research report outlines the barriers women face in their pursuit of political leadership in Southeast Asia. It considers the structural, institutional, economic, and cultural factors that hinder or stop women from fully participating in political participation, leadership and governance. Read the executive summary on this page or download the full report in PDF format.