IFES - Working in the Middle East and North Africa for more than a decade.

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IFES - Working in the Middle East and North Africa for more than a decade.

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Middle East & North Africa

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Middle East & North Africa

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The Middle East and North Africa continue to show signs of political liberalization and democratic development, despite current challenges.

IFES has worked in the Middle East and North Africa for more than a decade with experience in Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, and Yemen. IFES currently holds offices in Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

IFES has a proven track record of designing effective, participatory assistance programs, and in implementing locally appropriate training programs and educational materials. IFES’ network of consultants and regional experts provide expertise in election planning and administration, legal reform, NGO capacity building, and local governance.

IFES provides and has provided programming in technical assistance for election administration and election law reform, election organization aid, support for judicial reform and rule of law, training women candidates, local governance building, election violence education, monitoring, and mitigation throughout the region.

To help build a much-needed resource of Arabic language material on democracy issues, IFES emphasizes the production of Arabic language reports and materials.

Current Projects

MENA - Regional Projects

The MENA region has experienced a number of recent political changes, like the Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip and the Lebanese protests that led to the Syrian withdrawal of troops from Lebanon. Transition to democracy can be a very slow process, but there is some evidence--for example, Egypt’s recent elections--of political liberalization in the region.
MENA - Regional Projects Home

Egypt

Over the past few years, Egypt witnessed significant changes directly affecting political mechanisms in the country.
Egypt Home

Iraq

Iraq continues to develop a new political identity as it emerges from conflict with support from its leaders of democratic ideals. With the world watching, its political leadership is encountering a number of serious challenges --
Iraq Home

Jordan

Since King Abdullah was sworn in as king in 1999, Jordan has seen its first parliamentary elections 2003 and its first local elections in 2007. Despite bombings and attacks, the King presses forward with his 10-year program for political, social and economic reform.
Jordan Home

Lebanon

IFES' involvement in Lebanon began just before parliamentary elections of May 2005. IFES collaborated with the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division to provide the Lebanese government with technical assistance as it organized elections.
Lebanon Home

West Bank/Gaza

IFES' work in Palestine focuses on strengthening the development of the electoral framework to solidify gains achieved within the electoral sphere.
West Bank/Gaza Home

Yemen

The Republic of Yemen was formed in 1990 when traditional North Yemen and Marxist South Yemen united after years of conflict.
Yemen Home

For more information on IFES programs, please contact us.

News and Materials

January 26, 2010
IFES News in Brief: IFES Participates in Middle East Advocacy Summit

January 25, 2010
IFES.org Feature: "Forum for the Future" in Marrakech

January 20, 2010
IFES News in Brief: IFES to Help Iraq Implement Out of Country Voting

December 2009
Survey: Highlights from the Lebanon SWMENA Survey (.pdf)

November 23, 2009
IFES News in Brief: IFES Participates in Highly-Anticipated UN Conference Against Corruption