Four Tunisians -- Yassine Brahim, Rafik Halouani, Wafa Makhlouf and Sayida Ounissi -- will receive the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) 2015 Democracy Award at a dinner on Tuesday, November 10. These courageous Tunisian leaders represent civic groups and political parties that embody the spirit of the National Dialogue acknowledged today in the award of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Colombian citizens are demanding greater accountability and transparency from their leaders in all branches of government, and the Colombian Congress is leading the way. NDI and the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on August 20 to support congressional efforts to pass legislation that improves transparency, encourages participation in international initiatives that promote transparency, and shares success stories and best practices from other countries on curbing corruption and increasing transparency and accountability.

Elected officials and citizen groups are looking for ways to make legislatures more open and accessible in order to strengthen public services, drive economic growth, reduce poverty and make governments more accountable.

Colombia is home to one of the world’s longest ongoing armed conflicts, which has resulted in severe economic and social disparities, and victimized approximately 15 percent of the country’s population. Many analysts agree that, regardless of the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the country’s largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), peace must be constructed at the local level.

100 days since Tunisia’s newly-elected government entered office, Tunisians are reporting frustration with the discrepancy between candidates’ promises for more citizen engagement and their actions as elected officials. Despite their disappointment, Tunisian citizens still seek opportunities to connect with their elected leaders, according to newly released NDI focus group research.

In Honduras, a series of recent protests have taken place as citizens call attention to corruption and impunity. In response to the latest corruption scandal involving the embezzlement of $120 million from the Honduras Social Security Institute (IHSS), a growing movement led by young people using social networks has organized mass “torchlight marches” (Marcha de las Antorchas) in major cities across the country.  

Many parliaments around the world are engaged in various forms of international cooperation—sharing experience and learning with other parliaments and the international community in an effort to strengthen their respective institutions.