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The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), is the only inter-governmental organization supporting democracy around the world. It aims to support journalists with up-to-date information and impartial analysis. Our experts are on hand to talk to media and have been cited in the likes of The New York Times to the BBC, Le Monde and the Mail & Guardian. Our reports are also available online, including our flagship Global State of Democracy Report. Be among the first to learn about our announcements and new reports by signing up for our press releases and regular newsletter on this page.
Here are some of our experts who are available for interviews on our regional programmes, key focus areas and special initiatives—including the Global Monitor of COVID-19's Impact on Democracy and Human Rights, which is co-funded by the European Union..
Full Profile
Kevin Casas-Zamora
Secretary-General
Expertise: Global overview of democracy, consequences for democracy in general, geopolitics, civil liberties, Latin America
Languages: English, Spanish
Directors
Full Profile
Roba Sharamo
Director for Africa and West Asia
Expertise: International security, democratic governance, political economy of conflicts, peacebuilding, mediation and negotiation, state of democracy in Africa and the Middle East
Country / Region Focus: Africa and West Asia
Languages: English, Gabra, Oromo, Somali, Swahili
Full Profile
Leena Rikkilä Tamang
Director for Asia and the Pacific
Expertise: Democratic transitions/backsliding in the region, state of democracy in Asia and the Pacific
Country / Region Focus: Asia and the Pacific
Languages: English, Finnish
Full Profile
Massimo Tommasoli
Director of Global Programmes
Expertise: United Nations and democracy assistance; participatory development; gender equality; conflict prevention and peacebuilding; Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish
Full Profile
Sam van der Staak
Director for Europe
Expertise: State of Democracy in Europe, political parties, money in politics, ICT in democracy
Country / Region Focus: European Union
Languages: Dutch, English
Full Profile
Daniel Zovatto
Director for Latin America and the Caribbean
Expertise: Latin America, impact of the coronavirus pandemic on electoral processes , state of democracy in The Americas
Country / Region Focus: Latin America
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Adhy Aman
Senior Programme Manager
Expertise: Senior Programme Manager, Asia and the Pacific and Country Programme Manager for Fiji and Mongolia
Country / Region Focus: Fiji and Mongolia
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia, English
Sumit Bisarya
Head of Constitution-Building Processes
Expertise: Comparative constitutional design, constitution-building processes
Languages: English, French, Italian
Marcus Brand
Head of Programme, Myanmar
Expertise: Democratic governance, constitutional and rule of law reform
Country / Region Focus: Myanmar
Languages: English
Khameyel Fenniche
Head of Tunisia Programme
Expertise: Political participation; Elections; Civic education; Communication & Outreach; University teaching; Inclusion
Country / Region Focus: Tunisia, Middle East
Languages: Arabic, English, French
Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu
Senior Advisor, Democracy and Inclusion
Expertise: Gender equality and women’s empowerment, politics, media, constitutions, electoral processes and governance, parliamentary development and legislative formulation, women’s human rights advocacy and community development.
Languages: English, Shona
Adem Kassie Abebe
Programme Officer
Expertise: Elections and constitutional governance, Ethiopia and Africa
Country / Region Focus: Ethiopia and Africa
Languages: Amharic, English
Percy Medina
Head of Mission, Peru
Expertise: Elections, political processes, electoral observation and electoral debates.
Languages: English, German, Spanish
Therese Pearce Laanela
Head of Electoral Processes
Expertise: elections and electoral assistance, electoral systems, and political financing
Languages: English, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish
Seema Shah
Head of Democracy Assessment
Expertise: Global democracy assessment and measurement; electoral integrity; electoral processes, civil liberties Regional expertise: East Africa; South Asia
Languages: English, Gujarati
Annika Silva-Leander
Head of North America and Deputy Permanent Observer of International IDEA to the United Nations
Expertise: Global democracy assessment and measurement; civic space; impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on democracy; governance and development
Country / Region Focus: North America
Languages: English, French, Spanish, Swedish
Adina Trunk
Chief of Staff to the Secretary-General
Expertise: Project management, Communication, Speechwriting, Strategic advice, External relations, Partnership building, Democracy analysis, Political parties, Gender & Women’s political empowerment, Eastern Europe.
Languages: English, French, German, Romanian, Swedish
Kimana Zulueta-Fülscher
Senior Programme Officer
Expertise: Constitution building; state- and peace-building; conflict and security
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish