International Foundation for Election Systems
International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) Founded in 1987, based in Washingon DC, it fosters "democratic initiatives", extending loans and grants to various "developing" countries, and it "provides "targeted technical assistance to strengthen transitional democracies". IFES notes: "the end of the Cold War in 1989 created opportunities… to respond to an overwhelming demand for technical non-partisan expertise in democracy and governance."
Contents
Summary of Activities
- Redesigning electoral laws
- Advising in electoral mechanics
- Setting up civic groups and organizing them for political purposes
- Pre-election surveys
- Overall political surveys
- Strategic advice to political groups
- Contracting to carry out NED projects
From the website:
As one of the world's premier democracy and governance assistance organizations, IFES provides targeted technical assistance to strengthen transitional democracies. Founded in 1987 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, IFES has developed and implemented comprehensive, collaborative democracy solutions in more than 100 countries.[1]
Actions around the World
Election Guide
IFES has produced a website which enables the monitoring of elections, the election process, and information about parties. The website was paid for by "a generous grant" from USAID.
Contact and personnel
- Dorin Tudoran -- Editor in Chief
- Karen Buerkle -- Data Editor
- Oana Luca -- Research
Website: www.electionguide.org
IFES Principals and Staff
Board Memebers
- William J. Hybl, Chairman
- Peter G. Kelly, Vice-Chairman
- Richard Soudriette, IFES President and member of the US State Dept. "advisory committee on democracy promotion"[2]
- Leon J. Weil, Secretary
- Joseph Napolitan, Political consultant; president and CEO of Napolitan Associates; founder of the American Association of Political Consultants and co-founder of the International Association of Political Consultants; author of numerous articles and books on political campaigns; campaign advisor to various candidates both in the U.S. and abroad.
- Judy Black
- Don V. Cogman
- Judy G. Fernald
- Tyrone Freeman
- Frederick P. Furth
- Jeffrey Glassman
- Steny Hoyer -- (US Congress Rep. (MD))
- Patricia Hutar
- Lesley Israel
- Barbara Kennelly
- Maureen Kindel
- Jean-Pierre Kingsley
- Kathleen M. Linehan
- Robert L. Livingston
- Jane Bergman Norton
- Andres Pastrana — Former President of Colombia (1998-2002)
- R. Scott Pastrick
- Michael Pinto-Duschinsky
- T. Timothy Ryan
- Robert H. Tuttle
IFES Senior Field Staff
| IFES Field-Based Senior Staff | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bradley Austin – Senior Field Development Manager, East/South Africa | Dickson Bailey – Project Director, IFES Albania and Kosovo (Elections) | Dan Blessington – Chief of Party, Azerbaijan |
| Elizabeth Côté – Chief of Party, Guinea | Almami Cyllah – Chief of Party, Liberia | Peter Erben – Deputy Director and Senior Advisor, Center for Transitional and Post-Conflict Governance |
| Ched Flego – Chief of Party, Armenia | Ben Goldsmith – Chief of Party, Egypt | Beverly Hagerdon Thakur – Chief of Party, Philippines |
| Paul Harris – Chief of Party, Yemen | Leone Hettenbergh – Chief of Party, Uganda | Richard John – Chief of Party, Iraq |
| Edward Kibirige – Chief of Party, Burundi | Charles Lasham – Chief of Party, Nigeria | Dr. Cecile Marotte – Chief of Party (Victims of Violence), Haiti |
| David Mikosz – Chief of Party, Kyrgyz Republic | Katherine Müller --Chief of Party, Tajikistan | Theo Noel – Chief of Party, Kenya |
| Mauricio Claudio López-Rivera – Chief of Party, Timor Leste | Carmina Sanchis-Ruescas – Chief of Party, DRC | Hermann Thiel – Chief of Party, Lebanon |
| Rodolfo Ticao – Senior Program Manager, Iraq | Marcin Walecki – Senior Political Finance Advisor, Center for Transitional and Post-Conflict Governance | Peter Williams – Chief of Party, Afghanistan |
| Jennifer Wilson – Chief of Party, Kazakhstan | ||
Other Consultants
Countries where IFES has been active
IFES states that it is active in 35 countries (inc. most of the former Soviet republics), but major activity occurred here:
| Countries where IFES has major operations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alabania | Angola | Azerbaijan |
| Dominican Republic | East Timor | Ethiopia |
| Georgia | Guatemala | Guinea |
| Guyana | Haiti | Honduras |
| Indonesia | Iraq | Kazakhstan |
| Nicaragua | Nigeria | Pakistan |
| Palestinian Territories | Paraguay | Philippines |
| Tajikistan | Yemen | |
Affiliations
- Council for a Community of Democracies
- NED
- Eurasia Foundation
- Freedom House
- International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Canadian NGO)
- International IDEA
- International Republican Institute
- National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI)
- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
- Soros Foundation
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (main funding source).
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) funding [3]
Contact
- IFES
- 1101 15th Street, N.W., Third Floor
- Washington, D.C. 20005
- 202.828.8507, Telephone
- 202.452.0804, Fax
- Website: www.ifes.org
