International IDEA

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

International IDEA’s mission is to support sustainable democratic change by providing comparative knowledge, assisting in democratic reform, and influencing policies and politics.

In addressing its mission, International IDEA focuses on the ability of democratic institutions to deliver a political system marked by public participation and inclusion, representative and accountable government, responsiveness to citizens’ needs and aspirations, and the rule of law and equal rights for all citizens.

Focus of Programmes

The organization is active in the field of elections, constitution building, political parties, gender in democracy and women’s political empowerment, democracy self-assessments, and democracy and development. International IDEA undertakes its work through three activity areas:

• Providing comparative knowledge derived from practical experience on democracy building processes from diverse contexts around the world

• Assisting political actors in reforming democratic institutions and processes, and engaging in political processes when invited to do so, and finally;

• Influencing democracy building policies through the provision of comparative knowledge resources and assistance to political actors.

International IDEA is based in Stockholm, Sweden, but also has offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It works with democracy practitioners and institutions in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Arab world.

Cooperation with DIPD

Secretary-General of International Idea, Vidar Helgesen, is member of the DIPD board.

Facts

Headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden

Offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America

Norwegian Vidar Helgesen has been  Secretary-General since 2006