IRI Holds Seminars on Role of Political Parties in a Democracy

March 30, 2003

IRI held seminars on the role of political parties in a democracy in each of East Timor's 13 districts between February 26 and March 11. Local government elections are expected before the end of the year.

The training aimed to help local political activists better understand the role of parties and the importance of campaigning. The training emphasized that democratic countries have less social conflict than non-democratic ones.

IRI educated the East Timorese in the differences between the roles and responsibilities of national and local government. More than 300 people participated in the training, including leaders from local government, village chiefs and nongovernmental organizations.

The trainees asked for IRI to come back and provide additional training in local governance, lobbying and coalition building. IRI plans to meet these requests and provide more support to party activists at the district level.

IRI began working in East Timor in 2000. The Institute remains the only U.S.-based organization working with political parties in East Timor.

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