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ADVANCING DEMOCRACY a Report of the International Republican Institute Spring 2006 IRI Launches Women’S Democracy Network

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ADVANCING DEMOCRACY a Report of the International Republican Institute Spring 2006 IRI Launches Women’S Democracy Network ADVANCING DEMOCRACY A Report of the International Republican Institute Spring 2006 IRI Launches Women’s Democracy Network Participants of IRI’s Women’s Democracy Network inaugural conference. omen leaders from all over workshops designed to identify challenges his remarks, the President thanked IRI for the world traveled to and determine ways in which the Women’s its work and recognized the work of the WWashington, D.C., for the launch Democracy Network can assist in Women’s Democracy Network. “This of the International Republican Institute’s addressing them. conference provides an opportunity for (IRI) Women’s Democracy Network. The women leaders around the world to inaugural conference brought together The participants also visited the White connect with each other and serve as accomplished women leaders from Africa, House where President George W. Bush mentors for women in developing Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America, and and First Lady Laura Bush spoke. During the Middle East, as well as the United States Continued on page 2, see WOMEN to foster relationships and help the leaders Contents advance as their countries make the Page 2 ......... Message from the Chairman transition to Page 3 ........................... Belarus Election democracy. Page 4 .......................... Liberia Elections Page 5 .... Dr. Kirkpatrick Visits Nicaragua Those attending had an Page 6 ............... Reforms in Afghanistan Page 7 ................ Democracy in Mongolia opportunity to meet Page 8 ..... Cubans Take Steps to Freedom with other women Page 9 ..... IRI Examines Why Democrats leaders to share Lost in Central Europe experiences and Page 10 .... IRI Hosts Democracy Leaders; challenges facing their Ayten Shirinova, a political activist and former candidate for Advancing Democracy with Technology parliament from Azerbaijan, and The Honorable Ruth Khasaya Page 11 ....................... Democracy’s Hero countries. The women Oniang’o, a member of the Kenyan National Assembly, become participated in regional friends at the launch of the Women’s Democracy Network. Page 12 ................................ Staff Update 1225 Eye Street NW • Suite 700 • Washington, D.C. • 20005 IRI Messageefr from the Chair man emocracy winning the presidency, pro- take office and begin the work of was democracy activists held a national appointing committees and electing D given convention to democratically choose chairs. IRI’s successful work with new hope with their candidate, and carried out a independent candidates during the elections in nationwide campaign with no access election continues. With the Afghanistan, to media or printed materials. formation of e-Mustaqel, a bloc of Belarus and pro-democracy moderates, IRI is Liberia. Despite After 25 years of turmoil and 14 helping members of parliament find the forgone years of civil war, Liberians chose their voice in the new democratic conclusion of a Lukashenko victory, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the first government. Belarusians bravely went to the polls elected woman head of state on the on March 19 believing that change is African continent. IRI monitored the Despite the dangers and difficulties, possible and change will come to the historic elections, witnessing people in Belarus, Liberia, last dictatorship in Europe. And in enthusiastic voters who were hopeful Afghanistan and many other Liberia, voters elected the continent’s for peace and democracy in their countries continue the daily struggle first woman president, Ellen wartorn country. IRI monitors to bring freedom and democracy to Johnson-Sirleaf. praised the elections and urged all their countries. Liberians to come together to rebuild Led by Aleksander Milinkevich, pro- their country. democracy activists in Belarus waged a strong campaign in the face of Afghanistan saw the first government repression and democratically-elected parliament Senator John McCain retaliation. With little hope of Chairman, IRI WOMEN, Continued from page 1 democracies so they can help shape the future of their nations.” One conference attendee, Tanja Tomic, a member of the Skopje City Council in Macedonia, said, “President Bush’s reference to IRI’s network provided a strong motivation for me to expand the network in Macedonia and throughout the region.” Former Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Ana Ayat Mohamed Aboul Futtouh, director Palacio gives a keynote address during the of Ibn Khaldun Center for Develop- The three-day conference, which coincided conference. ment Studies in Egypt, participates in the Middle East workshop. with International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, was held March Members Gahl Hodges Burt, Vice The Women’s Democracy Network is an 6-8. Keynote speakers included Paula J. Chairman, American Academy in Berlin; initiative established by IRI. The network Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Alison Fortier, Director, Lockheed will encourage and support women Democracy and Global Affairs; The Martin Missile Defense Programs; Susan working to advance political, civic and Honorable Ana Palacio, former Minister Golding, President and CEO, The economic participation in their countries, of Foreign Affairs for Spain; and The Golding Group, Inc.; Janet Mullins and create regional networks to strengthen Right Honorable Kim Campbell, former Grissom, Partner, Johnson, Madigan and their development. Prime Minister of Canada. The event Peck; and Cheryl Halpern, Chairwoman, was also attended by IRI Board Public Broadcasting Corporation. 2 International Republican Institute Fair Election Denied in Belarus n March 19, 2006, the O government of Belarus stole another election, again denying the people’s right to Photos AP\Wide World choose their leaders. The results of the 2001 presidential election and 2004 parliamentary elections failed to meet international standards, and the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, issued referendums to broaden his powers and abolish term limits. Despite these challenges, Belarusians have shown they are Belarusians turn out to peacefully protest the fraudulent March election. committed to joining the democracies of Europe. The elections and the term limit referendum, caucuses convened in homes, forests and International Republican Institute (IRI) the Unified Democratic Forces set their parks throughout the country, people cast has been just as committed to supporting sights on the presidential election their vote for delegates to represent them. Through trainings and public opinion scheduled for 2006. The members them at the National Democratic polling, IRI has helped these democrats realized that with a unified democratic Congress. With approval from the come together to bring real change to opposition supporting a single government, more than 800 delegates Belarus. candidate, they had an opportunity to win the support of a majority of Continued on page 9 A real chance for democratic change Belarusians. see BELARUS became evident in March 2003 when approximately 600 pro-reform candidates Throughout participated in local elections with one- the summer third winning seats on city councils. In and early fall the wake of this success, pro-democracy of 2005, activists realized democratic change was Belarusians needed before they argued about policy. chose a As a result, six of the seven leading democratic political parties along with more than 200 candidate to nongovernmental organizations formed run against the People’s Coalition Five Plus. Over the President next year, the coalition grew and became Alexander the Unified Democratic Forces. In the Lukashenko. A unified opposition, pro-democracy presidential candidates at the National wake of losses in the 2004 parliamentary In small Democratic Congress in October 2005. 3 IRI Liberians Begin to Rebuild Their Country at the Ballot Box n January 16, 2006, Liberians celebrated the inauguration of OEllen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female head of state. The inauguration came two months after Johnson-Sirleaf won Liberia’s November 2005 presidential run-off elections and after 25 years of turmoil and 14 years of civil war. Liberia’s 2005 presidential elections, hailed as credible by international and domestic observers, became a harbinger of hope for democratic stability in a country where the scars of war can still be clearly seen. With the success of the elections, a new chapter in Liberia has begun. Women line up to vote during Liberia’s October 2005 election. The presidential elections, which set the Turnout was high, particularly for the IRI’s delegation for the first-round wheels in motion for positive change in first round, in which roughly 74 presidential election was led by IRI Liberia, were witnessed by IRI’s team of percent of registered voters went to Board Member and former international election monitors who the polls. Widely-feared Election Day Ambassador to the U.N. Richard S. observed Liberian voters patiently violence was nearly non-existent. Williamson; and Constance Berry enduring long lines to cast their ballots, in These were among the factors that Newman, former Assistant Secretary some cases walking overnight to reach made these elections arguably the of State for African Affairs. The polling stations in remote rural districts. most successful in the history of delegation for the election run-off was Liberia, Africa’s led by Charles Twining, former U.S. oldest republic. Ambassador to Cameroon and Cambodia. In discussing the elections, The In preparation for the election, IRI Honorable worked with parties to develop a code Margret
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