(13-V-21) Launch of Countering Disinformation Guide

 

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Collage of people holding radios, casting ballots and using computers.
Launch of Countering Disinformation Guide
Democracy depends on a healthy information space. While disinformation has long been a challenge to democracy, the digital age requires a renewed commitment and new tools to counter online threats. The new Countering Disinformation Guide from the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening outlines what’s being done to address this challenge and provides a searchable database of organizations working to make the digital landscape safe for democracy.

Learn More
Peace Accord signing in Edo State, when key political party leaders committed to peace.
Violence Monitoring Contributes to Peaceful Elections in Nigeria
Since 2003, IFES has strengthened the capacity of nine local civil society organizations to raise awareness of the importance of peaceful elections. Through collaboration, partnerships, information sharing, peace messaging and citizen engagement, the Kimpact Development Initiative contributed to the conduct of peaceful off-season elections in Edo and Ondo states in 2020 with support from IFES.

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During Kenya’s 2017 election period, IFES supported the implementation of a Youth Vote (YVOTE) campaign to encourage participation of traditionally marginalized populations including women and youth.
RSVP for “How Gender-Sensitive Indicators Can Improve Early Warning for Violence and Conflict Prevention”
Despite the recognized links between gender inequality and risks of conflict and instability, the integration of gender-sensitive indicators in early warning systems has been infrequent and inconsistent. Join IFES and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations on May 26 at 9:30-11:00 a.m. EDT/UTC-4 for a discussion about how a new global framework can improve early warning systems.

RSVP for the Event
Keyboard with a “vote” key.
RSVP for Webinar on Online Voting
On May 20 at 3:30-5:30 a.m. EDT/UTC-4, join Foresight Democracy and IFES Senior Global Election Technology and Cybersecurity Advisor Stephen Boyce who will address the risks associated with online voting and the need for more wide-scale testing, research and safeguards.

RSVP for the Webinar
A woman at a polling station in Sofia votes in Bulgaria's 2017 parliamentary election. Photo: Alexey Vitvitsky/Sputnik via AP
RSVP for Webinar on Recent Elections in Albania, Bulgaria and Cyprus
What are the lessons from recent elections in Europe, both their impact on democracy and what the pandemic means for holding elections that respect the will of the electorate? Join IFES and experts from the region on May 27 at 9:00-10:15 a.m. EDT/UTC-4 to discuss “Recent Elections in Albania, Bulgaria and Cyprus During the Pandemic.”

RSVP for the Webinar
The Turks and Caicos flag.
Turks and Caicos Islands Elections Report
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) held elections for the House of Assembly on February 19. At the invitation of the TCI governor and funded by the UK government, IFES conducted an in-person technical observation and assessment and found that – overall – the elections were generally well administered and the results reflected the will of the people.

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Paper currency.
IFES Webinar on Abuse of State Resources
The abuse of state resources by politicians to unduly increase their positions and undermine their political opponents is a persistent problem and has been magnified during the pandemic. IFES organized a webinar on risks and solutions to the abuse of state resources with a special focus on Europe.

Watch the Webinar
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To mark #worldpressfreedomday, check out our new Countering Disinformation Guide, created in partnership with @USAIDDRG @NDI @IFES1987 & @IRIglobal to support ongoing information integrity work around the world | counteringdisinformation.org #GEPT
A trainer leads a group discussion with “She Leads” participants.
Launching “She Leads” Trainings in Nepal
“During this training, I learned how to present my opinions effectively so that other members pay attention to what I say. I have found the training so useful and I am eagerly awaiting the next training.” – Punyawati Pariyar

Unprecedented numbers of women representatives are serving their communities following local elections in 2017. To empower these women with the skills and knowledge to fulfill their roles as community leaders, IFES and the Center for Dalit Women Nepal launched “She Leads” trainings in February.

Learn More
Screenshot from IFES’ South Asia Regional Power to Persuade Virtual Conference held on March 3, 2021.
First Virtual Conference of South Asia “Power to Persuade” Alumnae
“Power to Persuade” is an IFES advocacy program that equips women with disabilities with skills to influence policy and decision-making. This is especially important during the pandemic, which has created new challenges and exacerbated existing barriers. In collaboration with the Special Talent Exchange Program and Nepal Disabled Women Association, IFES held a South Asia regional conference that brought together nearly 100 “Power to Persuade” alumnae.

Learn More
Five women share a laptop to complete a training.
Congolese Women Equipped to Advocate
“The IFES training on election law and legal frameworks allowed us to strengthen and reinforce our capacities, to familiarize [ourselves] with national and international legal instruments for the protection of people with disabilities and to understand how [to] claim our own rights.” – Kavira, training participant

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, women – especially young women and women with disabilities – often do not have the same access to civic and voter education. In the summer of 2020, IFES offered in-depth online trainings on the country’s electoral systems and gender inclusion in the legal framework and reform processes.

Learn More
A Serbian actor casts her ballot as part of a public service announcement ahead of the 2020 elections.
Technical Election Assessment Mission in Serbia
“It is important that citizens believe someone will protect their voter rights.” – Civil society representative interviewed by IFES

IFES used its Technical Election Assessment Mission (TEAM) methodology to assess core areas of the electoral process in Serbia. The resulting report includes 70 recommendations mapped across an implementation timeline ahead of the next elections, anticipated for early 2022.

Learn More
An Albanian man casts his ballot at a polling station in Tirana during the 2019 municipal elections. © AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu
Albania Elections
Ahead of Albania’s parliamentary elections on April 25, IFES published FAQs – or Frequently Asked Questions.

Read the FAQs
Maximo Zaldivar, Regina Waugh and Jacob Dowd
IFES Welcomes New Regional Director for the Americas, Senior Global Gender Advisor and Advocacy and Government Affairs Specialist
We are pleased to announce that Maximo Zaldivar has joined the IFES team as regional director for the Americas, Regina Waugh as senior global gender advisor and Jacob Dowd as advocacy and government affairs specialist.

Read Zaldivar's Bio
Read Waugh's Bio
Read Dowd's Bio
Work with IFES
IFES is hiring a digital communications officer and a temporary communications coordinator to support a dynamic global team. We are also recruiting for a program associate for the Americas to provide administrative and programmatic support and a data scientist to inform the design and implementation of programming in democracy, rights and governance.

Apply Now
IFES in the Global Media
IFES programs, experts and research are regularly featured in the media. We value the opportunity to highlight the importance of democracy assistance and further our mission to build democracies that deliver for all.

Global: A Journal of Democracy feature on recent election results noted that some of its data is from IFES. A This Day Live article about declaration of assets by public officials cited IFES’ past programming in Liberia and elsewhere. Voto Digital published a blog post on IFES’ Updated Recommendations for the Safe Conduct of Elections Amid COVID-19. The Electoral Integrity Project and University of East Anglia reported on a new joint research project with IFES. Todo Noticias reported on the Argentine government’s proposal to postpone elections and noted that they cited IFES’ data on similar postponements. Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court noted its participation in the CEPPS Countering Disinformation Guide launch event.

Asia-Pacific: The office of Australia’s minister for foreign affairs published a speech from a recent event, in which she highlighted an upcoming IFES project.

Burkina Faso: LeFaso reported on an IFES workshop and extensively quoted IFES’ Nicolas Matatu.

Dominican Republic: Diario Libre reported on a recent event with the Central Electoral Board, IFES and media representatives and quoted IFES’ Carmina Sanchis-Ruescas and Francisco Cobos.

India: Bankers Daily notes IFES’ participation in the Virtual Election Visitors Programme.

Iraq: The Iraqi National News Agency noted that IFES will be present at a polling simulation.

Libya: The Libyan Express, Afrigate News and Libya Review reported on the election management body’s recent meeting with IFES.

Nigeria: The Nigerian Tribune, Head Topics and other outlets quoted remarks made at workshops supported by IFES. The Daily Post reported on a call by jurists and lawyers to scrap appeals in pre- and post-election cases, following an IFES workshop. Sun News, the Nigerian Tribune, Guardian Nigeria and other outlets reported on another IFES workshop.

Philippines: The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism published chapters from a new book on Media Reporting of Elections in Asia that cited IFES programming.

Romania: Argument noted IFES’ support on a political finance project.

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Follow the Global Impact of Covid-19 on Elections
Elections around the world have been impacted by COVID-19. IFES continues to track the latest information on election postponements, adjusted election dates and risk-mitigating strategies adopted during elections.
Learn More
 

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