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Modern constitutions typically contain a variety of provisions on language.

Countries often amend their constitutions or enact new ones following major political events, such as the founding of newly independent states, the fall of an authoritarian regime or the end of violent conflict.

Significant constitutional reform at a crucial moment is often a high-stakes process because a constitution regulates access to public power and resources among different groups.

As the number of Internet and social media users increases, political parties and candidates are spending significant amounts of money on online campaigning.

Over a year has passed since, on 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic and warned of sustained risks of further global spread. One year on, we have seen how the pandemic has forced a major re-evaluation of long-established electoral policies and practices, transforming the way in which, over the last decades, electoral management bodies (EMBs) have conventionally administered and delivered election after election.

Security sector reform, democratization and constitutional reform are intrinsically linked. The constitution-building process can therefore provide a critical forum for negotiations over changes in the relationship between civilian and security sector institutions.

Existe una considerable variación en la forma en que los ciudadanos emiten su voto en todo el mundo en “tiempos normales”. La visión tradicional de unas elecciones es que los ciudadanos votan en centros de votación usando una papeleta. Sin embargo, la tecnología moderna ha permitido votar en cabinas electrónicas e incluso votar a distancia por Internet.

Las Misiones de Observación Electoral (MOE) se han convertido en un elemento habitual de la escena electoral internacional.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic on 11 March 2020. This global health crisis demanded a quick, decisive and efficient response by governments to protect lives, curb the spread of the virus and prevent public health systems from being overwhelmed.

Election Observation Missions (EOMs) have become an established part of the international electoral scene.

Climate change is the existential issue of our time. How will it affect how democracies function? Are democracies well placed to deal with the long term challenges presented by rising world temperatures? What will be the impact of climate change on regional security and conflict?

The Secretary-General of International IDEA, Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, talks to Andrew Gilmour, Executive Director of the Berghof Foundation.

The 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD) commemoration is taking place in an unprecedented global context due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in a “new normal” in relation to the various aspects of life, including changes in the strategies on political participation. 

Collaborating for women’s empowerment and inclusion: Senior experts and actors of change put heads together in a cross-sectoral dialogue

#SheLeadsEU

Parliaments play a crucial role in advancing gender equality, and women in parliaments are known to be the “main drivers of change in terms of gender equality in parliament” (IPU). Representation of social diversity, holding the executive to account, drafting relevant and adequate legislation, and drawing attention to specific issues, are all important functions that parliaments perform and are vital in achieving gender equality.

Across the world, women face challenges to participate in politics, from confronting hate speech to internal party obstacles and lack of subsidized maternity leave. What are the best ways to increase women’s participation in elections and within party politics? What has been the influence of the #MeToo movement?  Is it just about increasing the numbers of women in parliament?

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha impuesto una enorme presión sobre la democracia electoral en todo el mundo. Muchas elecciones han tenido que posponerse, mientras que otras se han realizado pero con adaptaciones.

La Junta de Asesores de IDEA Internacional tuvo su primera reunión del año el 22 de febrero de 2021 y dio la bienvenida a siete nuevos miembros de la Junta. Durante la reunión, la Sra. Njeri Kabeberi fue elegida como la nueva Presidenta de la Junta y la Sra. Laura Chinchilla como la Vicepresidenta para 2021.

In the lead up to International Women's Day 2021, we are reminded that political representation of women remains low in most countries. Women represent only about 25 per cent of all elected parliamentarians globally (IPU 2021). With the current pace, it is estimated to take another 47 years to reach gender parity in parliaments (International IDEA 2019). Political finance regulations play a major role in promoting women’s political participation and representation.

The design of a ballot paper is important. The ballot conveys the voter’s intentions and political choices: a good design presents clear and understandable options to voters and reduces the chances of voter error. But beyond this utilitarian function, the ballot carries a powerful symbolic value of the compact between the citizen and the state, or, more simply put: ‘my vote matters’.

There is considerable variation in how citizens cast their ballot around the world during ‘normal times’. The traditional vision of an election is that citizens vote at polling stations using a paper ballot. However, modern technology has enabled voting at electronic kiosks and even remote internet voting. Elections have increasingly been made more convenient by allowing citizens to cast

International IDEA’s Board of Advisers had its first meeting of the year on 22 February 2021, welcoming seven new Board members. During the meeting, Ms Njeri Kabeberi was elected as the new Chair of the Board and Ms Laura Chinchilla as the Vice Chair for 2021.