About Us

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide.

International IDEA is governed by its Council of Member States.

The organization is governed by its Statutes, the latest of which entered into force November 2008. Membership in International IDEA is open to governments which demonstrate, by example in their own state, their commitment to the rule of law, human rights, the basic principles of democratic pluralism and strengthening democracy.

 

 

Governance Login

Member States Council 2015

Member States

Chair
Australia
Joined 1995
First Vice Chair
Barbados
Joined 1995
First Vice Chair
Germany
Joined 2002
Belgium
Joined 1995
Benin
Joined 2016
Botswana
Joined 1997
Brazil
Joined 2016
Canada
Joined 1997
Cape Verde
Joined 2003
Chile
Joined 1995
Costa Rica
Joined 1995
Dominican Republic
Joined 2011
Finland
Joined 1995
Ghana
Joined 2008
India
Joined 1995
Indonesia
Joined 2013
Luxembourg
Joined 2018
Mauritius
Joined 1999
Mexico
Joined 2003
Mongolia
Joined 2011
Namibia
Joined 1997
Netherlands
Joined 1995
Norway
Joined 1995
Panama
Joined 2018
Peru
Joined 2004
Philippines
Joined 2013
Portugal
Joined 1995
South Africa
Joined 1995
Spain
Joined 1995
Sweden
Joined 1995
Switzerland
Joined 2006
Tunisia
Joined 2019
Uruguay
Joined 2003
Japan
(official observer)

Democracy Now & Next

The International IDEA 25th Anniversary Global Virtual Conference  was held on 19-20 November 2020.

This global conference offered presentations and conversations on the current and future state of democracy.

Various topics, ranging from the link between climate change and democracy, the impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution,
the future of political participation, and the role of youth in shaping the future of democracies, were discussed.

In case you missed it, learn more about all the sessions and watch them on replay!

LEARN MORE

What We Do

We develop, share and enable the use of comparative knowledge in our key impact areas of expertise: electoral processes, constitution-building, political participation and representation. We also address the important issues of gender, diversity, and conflict and security as they relate to democracy. Our efforts to support democratic change build on our convening potential. We facilitate dialogue at the country, expert and international levels. We work in the spirit of peer dialogue, in which everyone has experiences and knowledge to share.

 

Mission & Values

 

VIDEO: It's our Democracy.

 

 

 

Secretary-General

Our Secretary-General provides strategic leadership for the Institute. In doing so, the Secretary-General reports on the overall implementation of activities and represents the organization externally and develop strong relations with Member States and other constituencies. The Secretary-General appoints staff to carry out the programmes of the organization.

Board of Advisers pictured at Stromsborg

Board of Advisers

Our Board of Advisers reviews our programmatic work and initiatives to provide input that strengthens focuses our work in the world.

Our People

Our creative and expert staff of more than 150 people, work in coordination with partners at the local regional, state and global level to enhance capacity and support democratic institutions.

Annual Reports

Annual Reports

We are a learning organization and every year we review our progress, lessons learned and recognize key accomplishments. Learn about past results and what we look forward to working on in the coming year.

 

 

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