| A-WEB Signs MOUs with International Development Agencies, including USAID |
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| Last updated 2014-05-02 |
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A-WEB Signs MOUs with International Development Agencies, including USAID: Reaching an agreement on assistance in the fields of revision of election law and its implementation, capacity building for election management bodies, and exchange of advanced election management practices for emerging and developing democracies The Association of World Election Bodies or A-WEB whose Secretariat is located in Song-do, Incheon, Republic of Korea concluded MOUs with the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Agency for International Development(USAID), International Foundation for Electoral Systems(IFES), Democracy International(DI), National Democratic Institute(NDI) and International Republican Institute(IRI) in Washington D.C. from April 28 to May 1. The main scope of work stipulated in each agreement is to provide assistance in election law and implementation, capacity building for election management bodies, and exchange of best practices for emerging and developing democracies.
The MOUs was signed after A-WEB explained the necessity of sustainable good governance established by democratic elections for the economic development in developing nations, and proposed joint support for democratic elections in such nations.
Yong-Hi Kim, the Secretary General of A-WEB visited each organization and signed partnership documents with Acting Director Scott Dobberstein of the DRG Center in USAID(Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance), President/CEO William R. Sweeney Jr. of IFES, President Eric Bjornlund of DI, Senior Associate Patrick Merloe of NDI, Tomas Garret of IRI.
In order to promote democratic advancement and electoral development, A-WEB agreed to cooperate with USAID in the areas of Cooperation on capacity-building activities for election management bodies (EMBs), international conferences, training, and other relevant activities; Support to develop international election standards and enabling legal environment for elections in specific countries; Exchange of information and research results on election management, election systems, women’s role in electoral processes, and international election monitoring; Cooperation on mutual development.
Also, A-WEB agreed to make every effort to cooperate with IFES, DI, NDI, IRI in the areas of Capacity Building Program for Electoral Professionals; Build-up of A-WEB Website & Electoral Knowledge Network; Election Observation Program and Seminars for Public Policy Makers.
Key projects that A-WEB will mutually pursue with USAID, IFES, DI, NDI and IRI are as follows:
□ Capacity Building Program & Electoral Professionals
□ International Observation and Support Program
□ Election Knowledge Fair
□ Build-up of Election Knowledge Network
In addition, A-WEB visited the Asia Foundation(Vice President Nancy Yuan) and the National Endowment for Democracy(Carl Gershman) and discussed the future cooperation and also agreed to actively work together for the development of democracy and elections in developing countries. In addition, Mr. Kim met with Commissioner Ellen Weintraub of the Federal Election Commission(FEC) and encouraged the FEC to join A-WEB as a member.
USAID is an independent agency that supports improved economic growth, food security, democracy and governance as well as provides humanitarian assistance in support of the U.S. foreign policy objectives. In particular, the DRG Center advances democracy, human rights and governance for the sake of political freedom. At the same time, it aims to contribute to socioeconomic progress by integrating democracy, human rights and governance into other sectors.
IFES is a nonprofit organization to support the development of democracy and elections in emerging democracies by providing civic education through professional and electoral assistance. The organization contributes to the advancement of good governance by providing support to election officials, empowering minorities and conducting field investigations to improve the election process in 30 countries around the world.
DI provides analytic services, technical assistance, programs for democracy and governance worldwide for USAID and other development organizations.
NDI and IRI are non-partisan organizations established to support civic participation, democratic activities and the development of freedom worldwide.
NED is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization established in 1983 with the purpose of supporting the development of democratic organizations worldwide. Currently NED supports about organizations in about 90 countries.
The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit organization established for the peace and prosperity of Asia and has various programs in the field of politics, economy, culture, society, education and arts for the development of Asia.
The FEC is an independent regulatory agency and its duties are to disclose campaign finance information, to enforce the provisions of the law such as the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and to oversee the public funding of Presidential elections.
A-WEB is the largest international electoral organization founded with the slogan of 'Democracy to Grow for All Worldwide' in October 2013 after the proposal of its establishment by the National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea in October 2011 for the settlement and development of democracy worldwide.
A-WEB currently has 97 election management bodies as members and is providing structural support for the establishment of sustainable government in emerging democracies through democratic elections.
A-WEB anticipated that this MOU will become a starting point for stronger professionalism and independence of election management bodies and realization of free and fair elections in emerging democracies and a stepping ground for A-WEB as an international organization in the field of democracy by increasing the prospects of holding joint projects with major organizations based in the United States.
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