Thirty years after the start of the "third wave" of democratization, the Region has made significant steps forward, particularly in the area of electoral democracy. Yet the combed benefits of democratic health and economic wealth have not filtered through to all sections of society. Coupled with some of the world's highest levels of inequality this has shaken people's confidence in the consequences of democracy. Thus, there are still important challenges ahead. These challenges are mainly related to the need to combine political democracy with economic democracy in such a way that the conditions of inequality that affect large sections of the population can be overcome.
Work Programme
After 13 years of work in the region, the Latin America and the Caribbean Programme is recognized as a significant intellectual partner, as well as an agenda setter, and in particular countries as an expert provider of technical assistance. International IDEA works with democratic institutions throughout the region to increase the effectiveness and legitimacy of democracy, and support gender equality in politics. Working with its local partners (especially with governments, electoral management bodies and political parties), on political and electoral reform issues, International IDEA provides a neutral platform for broad-based political dialogue. It also provides capacity building designed to strengthen political organizations, addressing diversity and representation issues, constitution building as well as the role of the media.
To read more about our expertise in the region and different country and regional programmes, go to our main Latin America and the Caribbean page.
