Upcoming Events

IFES welcomes international experts, including IFES staff, to share their knowledge and stories from the field at our headquarters in Washington, DC. These events foster discussion and promote the exchange of ideas within the international development community. Many of these are open to the public. Check for upcoming opportunities to attend on this page.

Recent Events

Elections Through Her Eyes: Women's Empowerment, Inclusion and the Electoral Process

April 24, 2013

Countries around the world hold elections as a nation in transition or as part of a longstanding democratic tradition. Regardless of context, the electoral process is exciting and critically important for all citizens, yet in many instances the experience is vastly different for men and women. Join us for a discussion on why citizen participation matters and the most effective ways of engaging individuals in different regions of the globe to exercise their rights in democratic societies.

Two Years into the Arab Spring: Islam, Elections and Democratic Transformation

April 04, 2013

Join the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the International Council for Middle East Studies (ICMES) in a discussion on the rise and trajectory of Islamist political parties after the Arab Spring. Panelists will discuss the influence of Islamists on the development of the constitution and legal framework, and the role of Islam in the political evolution of the MENA region.

2012 Joe C. Baxter Award Reception

November 05, 2012

The 2012 Joe C. Baxter Award will be presented on November 5 to Christian Monsod.

Public and Political Outlook in Ukraine

October 17, 2012

Ukraine's October 28 parliamentary elections will be the first since 2002 held under a mixed system of single-member districts and proportional representation.

Democracy for All: Empowering Vulnerable and Marginalized Populations

October 02, 2012

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right of all individuals to take part in their nation’s government and political processes, including elections TEST.

Empowering Women in Kenya: A Conversation with Advocate and IFES Democracy Award Recipient Maimuna Mwidau

September 13, 2012

In the wake of electoral violence in 2007 and 2008, Kenyans successfully passed a new constitution in 2010 that enshrined the values of equality and non-discrimination in the country.

Digital Development: Connecting People and Technology in Foreign Assistance

July 19, 2012

The rapid spread of information and communications technologies around the world has transformed international development.