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A Message from Charles T. Manatt, Chairman
Having been involved in politics for most of my life, I am pleased to serve as chairman of the board of IFES, a distinctly non-partisan organization dedicated to building sustainable democracy throughout the globe.
It is truly inspirational to travel around the world, and witness the excitement and enthusiasm that often accompanies elections in countries emerging from the shadow of authoritarianism. Thanks to the dedicated work of IFES, we have made the difference in elections on every continent.
The beauty of IFES is our approach. IFES never enters a country to tell election officials what they must do. Rather, we look, listen and immerse ourselves in the unique needs and traditions of the countries we assist. Then IFES works side by side with election officials to design processes that are free, fair, independent, transparent, accurate, and secure from fraud - and that are designed to succeed.
While elections are the source of legitimacy for democratic governments, there is more to democracy than just elections. At IFES, we are building on our commitment to the field of election assistance and also working in related areas, such as good governance, empowerment of the disenfranchised, rule of law and civil society. Our goal is to help build democratic institutions and «make democracy work.»
IFES looks forward to the challenge of the future; to play a broader and ever more critical role in helping nations make lasting democratic transformations possible. Thank you for your interest in the work of IFES.
Sincerely,
Dear Friend:
«Ballots, not bullets.» That was F. Clifton White’s vision of the future. And his legacy - the International Foundation for Election Systems - has helped make his words prophetic.
In 1987 when Clif White launched IFES at the suggestion of then-USAID Administrator Peter McPherson, electoral assistance to emerging democracies only occurred on an ad hoc basis. Clearly, if the worldwide democratic revolution was to take place, it would require systematic, comprehensive and culturally sensitive assistance. That is what IFES has provided for more than 12 years.
Starting with the wave of elections in Latin America at the end of the 1980s, expanding to the former Soviet Bloc with the fall of the Berlin Wall, moving into Africa as a series of elections took place in the early 1990s, and commanding a presence in Asia as well, IFES has played a central, behind-the-scenes role in advancing democracy.
Building on our solid record in electoral assistance, IFES is also concentrating efforts to support other pillars of democracy:
· Rule of law, where IFES provides counsel on legal and judicial reform as well as public education efforts supporting those reforms;
· Good governance, where IFES has worked to institutionalize permanent and professional election administration and served as advisor to Parliaments; and
· Civil society, where IFES has played a key role in strengthening non-governmental organizations, promoted coalition-building, and encouraged dialogue between citizen groups and governments.
1998 saw continued progress for citizen empowerment - today, more people live under democracy than at any time in world history. As you will see, in the Balkans, IFES helped conduct elections that were both historic and peaceful in Montenegro. In Paraguay, IFES provided critical support to a highly successful campaign that increased the accountability of elected officials. In Ukraine, IFES was there to support adoption of the country’s first constitution. In Ghana, IFES helped forge common ground between civil society organizations and elected officials. In Qatar, IFES engaged in programs to encourage empowerment of women. These are but a few examples of the work IFES has undertaken in more than 100 countries.
Despite great gains, however, the challenge of the future is to make democracy sustainable. The late Hubert H. Humphrey once said, «It is not enough to merely defend democracy. To defend it may be to lose it; to extend it is to strengthen it.» IFES is proud to work tenaciously to extend democracy, not only to countries that have not yet experienced its wonders but also within those nations where it is gaining a foothold.
We are entering the last year of a century that has seen two devastating world wars, economic turmoil, and the death of millions at the hands of brutal, dictatorial regimes. Yet the close of one century and the dawn of the next offers great hope. IFES is committed to building lasting democratic institutions and promoting the concept of «making democracy work.» Working together, we can help guarantee that democracy truly becomes the way of the future through the next millennium and beyond.
Sincerely,
Richard Soudriette
President
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