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Political Party Building
The International Republican Institute (IRI) works with Morocco's political parties, offering training and technical assistance to party leaders, elected representatives and grassroots-level activists. Through targeted training programs, and one-on-one consultations, IRI is supporting party efforts to solidify and grow voter bases. IRI conducts political party training seminars with party leaders and activists. These seminars, which target local and regional party members, assist party officials in developing strategic campaign plans in advance of the 2007 parliamentary elections.
To support IRI's political party training program and consultations with national party leaders, the institute conducts nation-wide public opinion polling. Quantitative survey research provides national political actors and party activists with concise statistical information concerning the changing political dynamics in Morocco, public opinion on the necessity of political reforms, the general population's priorities and the performance of political party organizations.
IRI's first poll established benchmark statistics on Moroccan political dynamics following the 2002 parliamentary elections, providing insight into the public's perception of party organizations and reforms in the political sector. The results of the 2005-06 polling project examined the underlying reasons for Moroccan voter apathy, and examined the public's perception of the country's current political reform projects. The poll also examined the most important issues of concern among Moroccan voters, and underlined their overriding concern with the country's unemployment and living conditions. IRI is using these results to help the political parties understand and utilize modern campaign techniques.
Parliamentary and municipal elections will be held in Morocco in 2007 and 2009, respectively. The pre-electoral period provides an important window of opportunity to reinforce and strengthen the political reforms undertaken to date. New reform legislation in Morocco regarding the operation and public financing of political parties is designed to encourage a more cohesive, competitive and transparent political environment. IRI is responding to new challenges reflective of the law by assisting political parties to adapt their operating procedures and fulfill the requirements in the law. These reforms are centered on the importance of democratic party structures, improved representation of youth and women, increased financial transparency, and democratic decision-making processes.
Governance
At the municipal level in Morocco, IRI has worked with local and regional elected officials and grassroots development associations to encourage and reinforce good governance practices. Through hands-on development programs, IRI has helped to strengthen the performance of elected government, and facilitate increased dialogue between elected officials and the communities that they represent.
Women's Programs
IRI is working to increase the presence of women within political party structures, thereby creating opportunities for women to influence their parties' internal decision making process, to contribute to party-building and outreach activities, and to increase their opportunities to present themselves as potential candidates for elected office.
Through the IRI-supported Morocco Women’s Network, IRI is working with party officials to bring women leaders into the campaign organizations at the local, regional and national levels and as candidates. This also serves to help parties meet the requirements for increased women’s participation in the recently reformed law on political parties.
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