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Organizations Working for Democracy
Political Culture, Religion and Democracy
Economy, Development, Inequality and Democracy
Armed Conflict, Violence and Democratization
Governance, Rule of Law, Corruption and Transitional Justice
Women’s Political Participation
Freedom House
Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world. Freedom House acts as a catalyst for greater political rights and civil liberties through a combination of analysis, advocacy, and action. Their research and analysis frame the policy debate in the United States and abroad on the progress and decline of freedom.
Polity Project
The Polity IV Project continues the Polity research tradition of coding authority characteristics of states in the world system for purposes of comparative, quantitative analysis. The Polity IV dataset covers all major, independent states in the global system over the period 1800-2014 (i.e., states with a total population of 500,000 or more in the most recent year; currently 167 countries). An improved and enhanced Polity 5 version in the series is currently in development.
V-dem: Varieties of Democracy Project
Varieties of Democracy aims to produce better Indicators of Democracy. A team of fifteen social scientists on three continents, they work with more than 2,500 country experts and a global International Advisory Board.
Democracy Barometer
The project has developed an instrument to assess the quality of democracy in 30 established democracies and to measure the fine differences that exist between them. It allows for benchmarking between established democracies and, as democracy is seen as an ongoing process, a critical observation of their democratic development over time.
The Economist Intelligence Unit
Democracy index and various other data on world countries.
Organizations Working for Democracy
Albert Einstein Institution
The Albert Einstein Institution is a nonprofit organization advancing the study and use of strategic nonviolent action in conflicts throughout the world.
American Center for International Labor Solidarity (Solidarity Center)
The Solidarity Center is a non-profit AFL-CIO allied organization that assists workers around the world who are struggling to build democratic and independent trade unions.
Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment, through the strategic use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), including the Internet.
Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs
The Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to research and education in the field of ethics and international affairs.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP)
The Endowment conducts programs of research, discussion, publication, and education in international affairs and U.S. foreign policy.
Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD)
The CSD, University of California at Irvine, focuses around three central themes: the relationship between citizens and their government, the performance of democratic governments, and the consolidation of new democracies.
Centre for Democratic Institutions
CDI responds to the needs of developing countries in the field of good governance and democratic institutions.
Changemakers.com
Changemakers’ mission is to provide inspiration, resources, and opportunities for those interested in social change throughout the world.
Council for a Community of Democracies (CCD)
Since 2001, CCD has devoted itself to advocating for democratic change and international cooperation by working with civil society and governments around the world to making the Community of Democracies (CD) a strong, democratic institution capable of addressing the needs of an ever-changing world.
Euroregional Center for Democracy
The CED is a non-governmental and non-profit organization, that promotes democracy and stability in Central and South – Eastern Europe.
Heinrich Boell Foundation North America / Heinrich Böll Foundation
A political party foundation based in Germany the Stiftung provides assistance to democratic groups around the world.
International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES)
IFES is a nonprofit organization that provides nonpartisan technical assistance worldwide to promote democracy and serves as a clearinghouse for information about democratic development and elections.
Institute for International Studies (IIS)
The Institute for International Studies (IIS) conducts and promotes interdisciplinary research on key global and international issues at Stanford University.
International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX)
IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is the premier US nonprofit organization specializing in higher education, independent media, Internet development, and civil society programs in the United States, Europe, Eurasia, the Near East, and Asia.
National Endowment for Democracy
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a private, nonprofit organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts.
Olof Palme International Center
The Olof Palme International Center works with international development co-operation and public outreach surrounding international political and security issues.
Open Society Archives
OSA’s mission is to: obtain, preserve and make available research resources for the study of Communism and the Cold War, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the issues of human rights; support and facilitate the philanthropic goals of the Soros foundations network, especially by providing information, records management and archival services for all its entities.
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
The OSCE is a regional security organization which has been established as a primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nation.
Organization of American States (OAS)
The Organization of American States (OAS) is the hemisphere’s primary policy forum for multilateral dialogue and action.
World Movement for Democracy
The World Movement for Democracy is a global network of democrats including activists, practitioners, academics, policy makers, and funders, who have come together to cooperate in the promotion of democracy.
Political Culture, Religion and Democracy
World Public Opinion
WorldPublicOpinion.org is an international collaborative project whose aim is to give voice to public opinion around the world on international issues.
Eurobarometer Public Opinion
Public opinion polls by EU.
Pew Research Center, Global Attitudes and Trends
Global polls on various policy issues.
Global Religious Futures Project
World religious profile data and charts.
Association of Religion Data Archives
A broad collection of data and surveys on global and US religion.
Council on Foreign Relations
US and International attitude polls.
Barometer Surveys
Economy, Development, Inequality and Democracy
World Bank
World Bank economic data and development indicators for countries all over the world over an extensive period of time.
International Monetary Fund
Website of IMF which provides data on financial scores and indicators of all countries.
OECD
OECD datasets and charts on global and local economic and developmental indicators.
Center for International Private Enterprise
Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
American Center for International Labor Solidarity
International Labor Organization (ILO)
International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF)
International Trade Union Confederation
Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN)
U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES)
IFES is a nonprofit organization that provides nonpartisan technical assistance worldwide to promote democracy and serves as a clearinghouse for information about democratic development and elections.
PARLINE Database
The PARLINE database contains information about parliamentary elections as well as the electoral system, presidency, mandate of the parliament, and specialized bodies of government. Information about specific elections dates back to 1970. Data provided by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Electoral Integrity Project
A broad research project focusing on three main questions:
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- When do elections meet international standards of electoral integrity?
- What happens when elections fail to do so?
- And what can be done to mitigate these problems?
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Open Access Journals
International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law
IJNL is a quarterly journal of analysis on global civil society.
Civic Education and Democracy
Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE)
Media and Democracy
Article 19
Article 19 is an organization designed “to combat censorship by promoting freedom of expression and access to official information.”
Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded to monitor abuses against the press and promote press freedom around the world.
Freedom to Write
The Freedom-to-Write Committee of PEN American Center works to protect freedom of written expression around the world, from defending writers and journalists who are imprisoned, threatened, or attacked in the course of doing their work, to protesting book-banning in the United States.
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
The International Federation of Journalists defends press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists.
International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX)
IFEX is a global network of more than 60 organisations that monitors press freedom and free expression violations around the world.
International Journalists’ Network (IJNet)
The Network is an on-line service for journalists, media managers, media assistance professionals, journalism trainers and educators and anyone else with an interest in the state of the media around the world.
International Press Institute
The International Press Institute is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and news agencies in over 100 nations.
International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX)
IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is a nonprofit organization specializing in higher education, independent media, Internet development, and civil society programs.
Internews
Internews is an international non-profit organization that supports independent media in emerging democracies and uses the media as a tool to reduce conflict within and between countries.
Panos London
Panos London stimulates informed and inclusive public debate around key development issues in order to foster sustainable development. They are working to promote an enabling media and communications environment worldwide.
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty a private, international communications service to Eastern Europe and Southeastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East, funded by the US Congress.
Reporters Sans Frontieres
An international watchdog organization that monitors oppressive action taken against journalists around the world.
Witness
Witness strengthens local activists by giving them video cameras and field training. Today, Witness unleashes an arsenal of computers, imaging and editing software, satellite phones and email in the struggle for justice.
World Association of Newspapers
The World Association of Newspapers represents over 17,000 publications worldwide with one of its objectives being the defense and promotion of press freedom and the economic independence of newspapers as a requisite for that freedom.
World Press Freedom Committee
The World Press Freedom Committee has developed several tools to resist media censorship including, monitoring and coordinating information about press censorship, giving grants to mount legal challenges to government efforts to censor, and writing a charter for press freedom.
Internet, Social Media and Democracy
Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University
The Berkman Klein Center’s mission is to explore and understand cyberspace; to study its development, dynamics, norms, and standards; and to assess the need or lack thereof for laws and sanctions.
Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) at Stanford University
The Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law bridges the worlds of scholarchip, policy and practice to understand and advance the conditions for just democratic and sustainable development around the world.
Global Voices Advocacy
A global network of bloggers and online activists dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and free access to information online. They report on threats to online speech, share tactics for defending the work and words of netizens, and support efforts to improve Internet policy and practice worldwide.
Meta-Activism Project
Meta-Activism is a portal dedicated to providing strategic advice to activists and advocates around the world. It aims to increase the effectiveness of change-making individuals and organizations.
Freedom on the Net, annual reports of Freedom House on internet freedom
Freedom on the Net is an excellent resource for the study of internet freedom around the world.
Armed Conflict, Violence and Democratization
African Journal on Conflict Resolution
The AJCR publishes the writings of a wide range of African and international authors in the field, but emphasis has deliberately been kept on African writers and the thinking emerging from African universities, colleges and organisations.
International Journal of Conflict and Violence
The IJCV is a forum for scientific exchange and public dissemination of up-to-date scientific knowledge on conflict and violence.
JEMIE – Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe
JEMIE is a peer-reviewed, multi-disciplinary electronic journal that addresses minority issues across a broad range of studies, such as ethnopolitics, democratization, conflict management, good governance, participation, minority issues and minority rights.
Peace and Conflict Review
The Peace and Conflict Review is dedicated to publishing high quality academic papers on all aspects of peace and violent conflict.
A Force More Powerful
Information about nonviolent, strategic action including books, films, websites and related organizations.
Uppsala Conflict Database
The online conflict database covers conflicts since 1989 on a large number of variables relevant for conflict analysis.
Center on International Cooperation, New York University
Center on International Cooperation (CIC) is a non-profit research center housed at New York University. It provides analysis on conflict and specializes in the links between politics, security, justice, humanitarian responses and sustainable development
Center for Strategic and International Studies
CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Center’s 220 full-time staff and large network of affiliated scholars conduct research and analysis and develop policy initiatives
Geneva Centre for Security Policy
The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) is an international foundation at the heart of international Geneva. It was established in 1995 on the initiative of the Swiss Confederation. Downloadable publications on various security issues around the world.
International Crisis Behavior Project, Center for International Development and Conflict Management
Multiple datasets on crisis behavior.
International Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict. Provides reports on regional conflicts around the world.
The Partnership for Effective Peacekeeping
The Partnership for Effective Peacekeeping (PEP) is a Washington, DC-based, non-partisan working group led by Refugees International, Citizens for Global Solutions, and the Better World Campaign. The PEP focuses on strengthening international peacekeeping. Provides detailed reports on a variety of piece related issues.
School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University
George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution has resources dedicated to interrupting cycles of violence.
Search for Common Ground
A portal focused on activism to prevent violent conflict around the world with multiple projects.
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.
U.S Institute of Peace
The United States Institute of Peace works to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict around the world. USIP does this by engaging directly in conflict zones and by providing analysis, education, and resources to those working for peace.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
The Wilson Center, chartered by Congress as the official memorial to President Woodrow Wilson, is a non-partisan policy forum for tackling global issues through independent research and open dialogue to inform actionable ideas for the policy community.
Amnesty International
Through detailed research and determined campaigning, Amnesty International helps fight abuses of human rights worldwide. They bring torturers to justice, change oppressive laws and free people jailed just for voicing their opinion. They also provide regular reports on countries.
European Court of Human Rights
Besides being the international last resort for human right violations, the Court also publishes annual reports on its activities providing valuable data on human rights from around the world.
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is a nonprofit, nongovernmental human rights organization made up of roughly 400 staff members around the globe. Each year, Human Rights Watch publishes more than 100 reports and briefings on human rights conditions in some 90 countries, generating extensive coverage in local and international media.
Center for Economic and Social Rights
The Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) works to promote social justice through human rights.
Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
University of Washington provides training and resources on humanitarian law and human rights.
Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program
Provides discussion and analysis on the relationship between science, human rights and the law.
The International Institute of Human Rights
The International Institute of Human Rights, founded in 1969 by René Cassin, is an association working for the promotion and the protection of human rights through research and training of professionals. Its Secretariat is based in Strasbourg and it encompasses 300 members (persons and organizations) worldwide. Provides publications and reports on human rights.
Governance, Rule of Law, Corruption and Transitional Justice
Electronic Information System for International Law (e-ISIL)
Contains primary documents, authoritative websites, and research guides on all aspects of international law.
International Network to Promote the Rule of Law
Online community of practice
International Rule of Law Directory
Database of organizations working on the rule of law.
International Rule of Law – LexisNexis International & Foreign Law Community
News and resources about the rule of law provided by LexisNexis.
WJP Rule of Law Index
An assessment tool created by the World Justice Project which measures the extent to which countries adhere to the rule of law.
International Center for Transitional Justice
Works for justice in countries that have endured human rights abuses after repression and conflict.
United Nations Rule of Law Unit
Resources on the rule of law globally.
UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)
The UNCAC Coalition is a global network of over 350 civil society organisations (CSOs) in over 100 countries, committed to promoting the ratification, implementation and monitoring of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
Global Corruption Barometer
Transparency International’s Global Barometer on Corruption.
Global Integrity
Valuable resource on understanding corruption across the world, with special in-depth reports on corruption in Africa.
Open Society Foundations
This organization promotes democracy and good governance across the world.
Transparency International
Leading organization that reports on and advocates against corruption globally. Valuable resources and reports.
Women’s Political Participation
International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
The International Center for Research on Women provides a range of resources on the issues women face. ICRW advances gender equity, inclusion and shared prosperity by working with non-profit, government and private sector partners to conduct research, develop and guide strategy and build capacity to promote evidence-based policies, programs and practices.
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
Examines and promotes democracy across the world and regularly reports on the participation of women and how to promote female participation.
International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics)
iKNOW is a joint network project by International IDEA, the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
International Women’s Democracy Center
Works for increasing the participation of women in policy, politics and decision-making within their own government.
International Women’s Tribune Centre (IWTC)
IWTC provides resources and services to women’s organizations and community groups working to improve the lives of women, especially low income women across the world.
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
Leading organization promoting democracy across the world. Special programs devoted to the analysis and promotion of women’s participation in politics.
Women’s Human Rights Net (WHRnet)
Women’s Human Rights Net (WHRnet) is a collaborative information and communication technology project developed by an international coalition of women’s organizations. WHRnet aims to strengthen advocacy for women’s human rights through the effective utilization of information and communication technologies.
Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP)
Women’s Learning Parnership is a partnership of 20 autonomous women’s rights organizations in the Global South that promote women’s leadership and human rights.