What we do
At the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, we strive to promote peaceful, just and inclusive democracies worldwide.
We do this by fostering trust and respectful dialogue between politicians, political parties, civil society and citizens. We bring people closer to their elected representatives; and we bring politicians together to collaborate across political divides.
NIMD deeply believes that, by building more equal and peaceful societies, and tackling the root causes of global challenges, we can foster a more stable, inclusive and prosperous world for everyone.
At the heart of all our work is the principle of inclusiveness: we strive to equip people – from traditionally marginalized groups to established politicians – with the skills, knowledge and networks to meaningfully participate in politics. Because, at NIMD, we passionately believe that societies can only thrive when all voices are heard.
NIMD’s work broadly falls into five categories or themes – Dialogue, Democracy Education, Women in Politics, Youth in Politics and Strengthening Democratic Infrastructure.
our themes
- Democracy Education
- Dialogue
- Responsive Politics
- Women in Politics
- Youth in Politics
Democracy Education
We live in an era marked by social upheaval, climate crises, conflicts and the spread of misinformation. To face up to these challenges, we need a resilient democratic culture. A culture which includes mutual respect, accountability and constructive engagement can enable societies to resolve disputes, address complex challenges and protect fundamental freedoms.
Dialogue
At NIMD, we believe that democracy starts with dialogue. We know from experience that when different political groups come together in dialogue – with each other, with civil society, or with their population in general – a country has a much greater chance of implementing reform, forging lasting peace, and cultivating a thriving inclusive democracy.
Responsive Politics
A thriving democracy needs politicians who understand and respond to the needs, demands and aspirations of its people.
Women in Politics
As part of our wider objective of increasing political participation among structurally under-represented groups, NIMD works to promote the participation of women in politics. The political participation of women, in all their diversity, is essential for any inclusive and responsive democracy.
Youth in Politics
As part of our wider objective of increasing political participation among structurally excluded groups, NIMD works with young people and established politicians alike, to enable youth to take up their rightful role in politics.
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our principles
Our approach is non-partisan and independent. We are not affiliated with any specific political denomination or institution and work impartially with all parties across the political spectrum. However, our impartiality should not be confused with neutrality: NIMD is driven by the democratic values underpinning our vision and mission.
Inclusiveness lies at the heart of NIMD’s work. Through all our programmes, we focus on fostering equal opportunities for structurally excluded groups to engage in democratic processes at all levels. We also make sure that our activities are inclusive of different political groups and ideologies. Both ruling and opposition parties are welcome to take part in NIMD dialogue on societal issues with an equal voice.
At NIMD, our impact and success depend on our ability to respond to unique political histories and changes to cultural contexts. All our programmes start with an in-depth analysis; we assess how we can contribute to positive change in the political system and political culture of a country. Once our programme is running, we put in place a robust evaluation system and monitor changes in the political environment. Only by constantly adapting our programmes, can we ensure the continued impact and quality of our work.
All our programmes are founded on, and shaped by, a deep knowledge and understanding of context. That’s where the national expertise of our country offices and partners come in – we work together on an equal basis to develop strategies that reflect and respond to the needs and demands of that country.
It takes time to contribute to political transformation. You need to strengthen political parties and other actors; help build effective working relations between political forces; and facilitate trust-building. Therefore, we invest in long-lasting relationships, both with our partners and with the political actors we target.