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DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE PROJECTS
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DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE PROGRAM SUMMARY
USAID’s Democracy and Governance programs help strengthen the basic foundations of Timor-Leste’s democratic system through increased transparency, accountability, and citizens’ participation in government. Political Processes USAID supported the electoral process from the 2004 suco elections to the 2007 parliamentary and presidential elections, the first such elections to be administered by the young country. For the suco elections, USAID helped improve the Government’s capacity to manage the national voter registration process and database, and assisted the then newly established independent electoral commission. For the 2007 elections, USAID provided support for: public consultation on electoral laws; capacity building of poll bodies; political party training; domestic election monitoring; civic and voter education campaigns; skills training for the independent media; rural population’s access to information; and election violence monitoring and prevention initiatives. Partners implementing the Political Processes projects include: International Foundation for Election Systems; International Republican Institute; National Democratic Institute and International Center for Journalists. Rule of Law and Human Rights The development of rule of law has proven to be among the country’s most serious challenges. Since independence, the justice system remains weak. The 2006 crisis put even further pressure on justice institutions. U.S. assistance therefore aims to improve basic administration of justice institutions; strengthen oversight institutions to enable them to perform effectively; enhance the civil society’s capacity to monitor the administration of justice; and expand access to justice by improving standards and access to formal and informal dispute resolution for disadvantaged citizens. The Asia Foundation implements the Access to Justice program enabling legal aid groups to serve disadvantaged citizens. Management Sciences for Development is implementing the Justice Institutions Strengthening Program which delivers focused technical assistance and specialized training to the oversight institutions as well as the justice sector. Lastly, the International Catholic Migration Commission is implementing the psychosocial recovery program Survivors of Torture. Civil Society and Media A functioning civil society empowers citizens to freely organize, advocate, and communicate with their government. USAID is supporting selected civil society activities through its contribution to the "Supporting Civil Society Organizations in Promoting Citizen Participation" project administered by UNDP. USAID is also funding BELUN, a local network of non-governmental organizations supported by ADCI-VOCA, to build the conflict-prevention capabilities of community-based organizations across the country. To further enable the participation of an informed citizenry in governance, USAID strives to help the local media deliver high-quality information to as many people as possible. USAID has assisted in: expanding the quality and reach of the public broadcast service; commissioned nationwide media use and access surveys; and facilitated the local media’s election pool coverage for the 2007 polls, which resulted in extensive nationwide coverage of the elections, as well as wide distribution of reliable information at a crucial time. USAID is working to support the development of a strong, professional and sustainable media sector in Timor-Leste through the Strengthening Independent Media Program, which is being implemented by the International Center for Journalists. In addition, USAID’s Small Grants Program considers civic education, public information and media support as priority areas for assistance.
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