Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy
 | |
| Abbreviation | NIMD |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2000 |
| Type | non-profit NGO |
| Location | |
Chairman | Eimert van Middelkoop |
| Website | nimd.org |
The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD; Dutch: Nederlands Instituut voor Meerpartijendemocratie) is a democracy assistance organization that promotes accountable and effective political governance in young democracies. NIMD's approach is characterized by dialogue, which it facilitates for actors across the political spectrum at the local, national and regional level. The organization's values are based on inclusiveness, pluralism and equality, and it supports joint initiatives of political parties and other stakeholders to improve the functioning of multi-party democracies abroad.
The institute was founded in 2000 by seven parties across the Dutch political spectrum (CDA, PvdA, VVD, Groenlinks, Democrats 66, Christen Unie and SGP). Former Dutch Minister of Defence Eimert van Middelkoop is president of the Supervisory Council of NIMD.
Activities
NIMD currently works with over 150 political parties from more than 20 countries in Africa, Latin America, the MENA region, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.[1] The institute promotes interparty dialogue between politicians, because this will provide the opportunity to build trust and create mutual relationship among political parties. Moreover, interparty dialogue will create consensus and helps to find solutions to challenges. NIMD also uses dialogue to create a safe meeting space for politicians and parties to meet and adopt policies to reform their nations.[2]
A core part of NIMD's work is in democracy education. The organization sets up Democracy Schools around the world, which run courses for young and aspiring politicians who want to learn about democratic theory and governance. These programmes additionally aim to promote youth activism and women's political representation. The schools also provide specialized training for established politicians seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in areas such as legislative drafting, debate techniques and internal party democratization.[3] Some alumni of its democracy education programmes have later entered public office and passed legislation in areas such as campaign finance transparency and the prevention of violence against women.[4]
One specific context in which NIMD has increasingly been involved is that of fragile and conflict-affected settings: settings in which the political environment is extremely polarized and divided due to a lack of trust among political actors. This lack of trust, together with the divisions between political groups that characterize such contexts, often has its origins in violent conflict. NIMD’s strategies on political party dialogue and capacity building are highly valued in these settings, where the strengthening of political legitimacy is viewed as a precondition for sustainable peace, stability and development.[5]
Notes
- ^ "Programmes NIMD". Retrieved 2015-07-19.
- ^ IEA Holds Joint Symposium On Interparty Dialogue With African Political Party Leaders, Peace FM,Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi,7 July 2015
- ^ "Democracy School | NIMD". nimd.org. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
- ^ "ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | NIMD". nimd.org. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
- ^ "Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings | NIMD". nimd.org. Retrieved 2018-11-07.