Newswise — American University's Center for Democracy and Election Management (CDEM) received an $800,000 grant in June to conduct training and education on elections and democracy in the Middle East. After the grant agreement was signed, Robert Pastor, director of CDEM, led a team to Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait to meet with senior government and election officials, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, journalists, and women leaders to discuss ways in which the training could best meet the region's needs.
The project is funded by the U.S. Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. State Department. On June 8, MEPI awarded CDEM $800,000 to review the Gulf states' democratization efforts, provide recommendations on ways to reinforce democratic trends, and prepare two courses for leaders from the region.
The AU team visited Persian Gulf States from June 21 — July 5 and included David Mikosz, associate director of CDEM; Kristin Smith Diwan, assistant professor in AU's School of International Service and an expert on Gulf politics; and Rabab Fayed, who previously worked at the Saban Center at Brookings Institution on Middle East politics.
"Leaders in the region have learned the language of democracy. But it will take time and significant reforms before the substance of democracy takes root." Pastor said. "What impressed us the most, however, was how similar countries have addressed the role of the parliament, election management institutions, and the role of Islam in the political system in markedly different ways. This offers the opportunity for the countries to learn from each other even as they learn about best practices in the world."
CDEM will publish a report on the trip and prepare two educational institutes at AU on "Elections and Democracy." The Center for Global Peace, Peacebuilding & Development Institute, Women & Politics Institute and additional AU centers and institutes will be involved in the training and subsequent visits.
The Center for Democracy and Election Management was established in 2002 to educate and train undergraduate and graduate students and mid-career professionals in the management of elections and best democratic practices. Since its establishment, CDEM has also had programs in Mexico, Nigeria, and in the U.S., where it organized the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform.
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