After the Spring: Where Reform Stands for the MENA Countries

July 27, 2011

Given the uprisings started seven months ago, what are the citizens of the MENA expecting as an outcome of the protests and where do the countries stand in achieving them?

Constitutional Law, Electoral Systems, Legal Framework

Jordanian Director of Elections Receives Award for Advancing Democracy

March 21, 2011

Saad Shehab, director of the Elections Department within the Ministry of Interior (MoI) of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, has been awarded the Patricia Hutar Award by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

Democracy Assistance, Governance, Electoral Systems, Elections, Election Procedures

IFES Releases Paper on the Use of Gender Quotas in the Arab World

February 10, 2011

One of the most controversial, yet important tools to promote women into the political arena has been the gender quota. The Strategic use of Gender Quotas in the Arab World,  written by Hybl Reseach Fellow Bozena Chrisina Welbourne, explores the mix of incentives seen in the variation in gender quota adoption within legislatures across the Middle East and North Africa.

Gender Issues, Public Funding

The Strategic Use of Gender Quotas in the Arab World

February 09, 2011

Why are levels of gender representation and gender-related policy reform in Morocco higher than in Lebanon? Lebanon has long boasted a cosmopolitan, educated culture and was hailed the “Paris of the Middle East” up until the civil war.

Gender Issues, Public Funding

Jordanian Election Administrators Aim for More Transparency

July 26, 2010

Jordanians will elect a new lower house of the Jordanian parliament, the Majlis al-Nuwaab or Council of Representatives, on November 9, 2010. These elections come a year earlier than originally scheduled, but almost a year after His Majesty King Abdullah II dissolved parliament in November 2009—two years before the end of its mandate.

Election Law, Governance, Elections, Electoral Systems, Political Parties

IFES Participates in Middle East Advocacy Summit

January 26, 2010

In the Fall of 2009, the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) hosted a series of conferences with young Arab and American leaders in Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon.

Civil Society, Democracy Assistance, Election Procedures, Elections, Governance

Jordanian Government Officials are Sharpening their Elections Skills

September 23, 2009

The BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) program has seen great success in Jordan where at least 215 Jordanian government staff members have attended at least one BRIDGE module.

Elections, Governance, Democracy Assistance, Civil Society

Successful Bridge Training Held In Jordan

July 31, 2008

IFES/Jordan successfully hosted a BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) training workshop with the Jordanian Ministry of Interior (MoI) from July 20-24.

Civil Society, Governance

Reports: Arabs Open to Democratic Reforms despite Setbacks

May 15, 2007

Three reports written by Arab researchers indicate that democratic reform is welcomed broadly by citizens in four Arab countries, who want to see their courts, media and parliaments become more independent.

Elections

Comparative Report on the State of the Judiciary in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco

May 09, 2007

This report compares the overall state of the judiciary in four Arab countries: Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco. It evaluates regional judicial independence and accountability and is based on wide-ranging research conducted by Arab experts from the region over the past two years. Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco were selected for comparison because they have already implemented some judicial reforms and are among the most progressive in the region with respect to this issue. The experiences of these countries may provide best practices and valuable lessons learned. In addition, they may be receptive to working with civil society to deepen their reforms. This report was made possible by the financial support of UNDP-POGAR and technical support from IFES.

Rule of Law