Democracy International

?? Big news—DI's headquarters are moving! We are now at 7200 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1000, Bethesda, MD 20814. This new spot reflects our exciting growth and provides the perfect backdrop as we continue working toward a more peaceful and democratic world for all. Here is to new milestones and continued progress! #GrowingTogether #DIMoves #NewHQ

This week, I had the privilege of collaborating with the Parliament Secretariat to support the first-ever Meeting of Parliament Outside of the Chamber in Dedza District. It was truly inspiring to witness Honourable Members engage in debates on national issues in an open setting, with the public—including many enthusiastic school children—watching from the stands. This historic meeting was a testament to Parliament's dedication to fostering a closer connection with the citizens it serves. By stepping outside the confines of the Chamber, Parliament demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity, accountability, and the active participation of the public in governance processes. This initiative is a clear acknowledgment that democracy thrives when citizens are engaged and have the opportunity to witness and contribute to the decision-making processes that shape their lives. Democracy International's #USAID-funded Parliamentary Support Program aims to strengthen civic engagement in policy and oversight processes fostering a more inclusive democracy in Malawi. On a personal note, yesterday held a particularly meaningful moment for me. As I sat next to the Rt. Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Catherine Gotani Hara, for a photo, she turned to the school children and said, "If you work hard, you can be just like Ndondwa." Hearing such a kind and affirming sentiment from a leader I deeply admire, directed at the next generation of Malawi's future leaders, was humbling beyond words.

?? Advancing parliamentary best practices through collaborative partnerships. In partnership with @Global Partners Governance, DI’s USAID-supported Parliament Support Program in Malawi facilitated a study visit for senior Malawian Members of Parliament (MPs) to the UK and Scottish parliaments. MPs engaged in meaningful discussions with their counterparts, focusing on strengthening parliamentary practices, legislative scrutiny, and enhancing democratic governance. During their time in London, Malawian MPs had a valuable conversation on ethics and public integrity with Daniel Greenberg, the UK Parliament's Standards Commissioner. In Edinburgh, the delegation met with former Speaker of the Scottish Parliament Ken Macintosh and exchanged ideas on institutional reforms and public integrity regulations for MPs. These meetings fostered a collaborative exchange of ideas among parliamentarians, deepening their commitment to vital democratic practices and standards. #ParliamentSupport #StudyVisit #GlobalPartnerships #DemocraticGovernance #Malawi

A great program update from our USAID-supported Strengthening Political Landscape program in Bangladesh: https://buff.ly/4fypdfp

Democracy is something we build together—at home and abroad. This Election Day, our U.S.-based HQ office will be closed so our team can take time to participate in our democratic process. This isn’t just a day off; it’s a commitment to the very principles we work to strengthen globally. By casting our ballots, we’re shaping the future of our communities and demonstrating the power of democratic values, both in our work and in our personal lives. If you live in the U.S. and are registered to vote, we encourage you to make your voice heard this Election Day! ??? Every vote matters. Every voice counts. #ElectionDay2024 #CivicDuty #Vote

Youth voices led the way at the 2024 Amio Jitte Chai-DIUDC National Debate Festival, where DI’s USAID-funded Strengthening Political Landscape program partnered with Daffodil International University-DIU to foster democratic dialogue in Bangladesh. This energetic, three-day event gathered students from across the country to explore citizen priorities through debate, a video message competition, theater performances, and engaging workshops. With more than 64 teams participating and prominent civil society voices in attendance, the festival showcased youth perspectives on issues that matter most to them, culminating in a policy dialogue on “Democracy on Campus: Youth Preparations & Expectations.” Panelists highlighted the importance of regular student union elections, tolerance, and inclusivity as pillars for a vibrant democratic future on campuses. Read more: https://buff.ly/48pdyNk #Bangladesh #YouthVoices #DebateForDemocracy #AmioJitteChai2024 #YouthLeadership #FutureLeaders

We’re proud to have had our Social and Behavioral Science and Learning team lead two dynamic discussions at the American Evaluation Association conference recently on advancing social and behavioral science (SBS) in Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) programs. In a roundtable discussion, DI’s team shared insights from three programs and discussed ways to improve evaluation and learning for SBS-based development programming. It was an exciting opportunity to show how SBS can help elevate DRG efforts toward meaningful, lasting change and how we can effectively evaluate and learn from those efforts. In a Think Tank session, our team tackled the challenge of measuring behavioral shifts—a complex task in any SBS-based program due to the many factors that influence or shape attitudes, norms, and values. In collaboration with attendees, our team facilitated discussions on how to explore solutions—ranging from refining evaluation methods to amplifying local voices in diverse cultural contexts. DI’s leadership in these sessions reinforces our commitment to advancing SBS-informed evaluation practices and driving innovative, evidence-based approaches to DRG work. #AEA24 #DRG #SBS #InternationalDevelopment #Evaluation #Learning #Democracy #HumanRights #Governance

?? Advancing democracy through the lens of social behavioral science! DI's Social and Behavioral Science & Learning team attended the “Norms and Behavioral Change: Democracy Under Threat” conference at the University of Pennsylvania. The event brought together global experts to discuss the most pressing research on democratic backsliding and political polarization. As a panelist, DI's Director of Social and Behavioral Science & Learning Dr. Michael Sweigart, Ph.D. offered key insights on the role of democratic norms in developing democracies. DI is proud to contribute to these vital discussions, where social and behavioral science meets our mission of advancing democratic principles worldwide. #BehavioralScience #Learning #DemocracyPromotion #DemocraticNorms #PoliticalPolarization

Empowering Local Governance in Kosovo! USAID's Social Contract Activity, implemented by DI, hosted an insightful workshop to advance the Social Contract Agenda for the Fush? Kosova/Kosovo Polje Municipality. This initiative, active in multiple municipalities, provides a powerful platform for citizens and local leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, address key community challenges, and strengthen governance transparency. Mayor Burim Berisha and Deputy Mayor Besnik Osman of Fush? Kosova/Kosovo Polje Municipality expressed their appreciation for the initiative’s positive affect on citizen-leader dialogue in their municipality. Eric Bjornlund, President and CEO of DI, engaged directly with participants, talking about the critical role of transparency and active citizen engagement. Mayor Shaqir Totaj of Prinzen Municipality met with Eric to discuss the Social Contract Agenda's progress. Mayor Totaj proudly shared how this initiative is fostering inclusive governance in Prinzen, showcasing successful participatory budgeting efforts and revisions to public award regulations! #CommunityEmpowerment #ParticipatoryBudgeting #Collaboration #Kosovo

We are hiring! DI is looking for a Finance and Operations Manager to join the USAID Positive Pathways Activity in Jamaica. In this role, you will oversee HR and office operations, ensure compliance with tax and insurance regulations, manage vendor relationships, and foster a positive work environment. You will also be responsible for managing contracts, overseeing office infrastructure, and supporting employee development to ensure full alignment with DI's core mission and values. ?? This position is based in Kingston and is open to Jamaican residents only. Learn more and #apply here: https://buff.ly/3BTx5JD #Jamaica #Hiring #FinanceCareers #InternationalDevelopment #DevelopmentCareers #DevelopmentJobs #PositivePathways