NED Annual Report 2012 Highlight Spreads

(Asia, continued from page 26)

immolations by Tibetans protesting China’s increasingly repressive policies in Tibet contributed to
a greater sense of urgency in the Tibetan community’s struggle for freedom and human rights. The
Endowment worked with Tibetan activists in exile and supported programs focusing on free flow of
information, human rights protection, and civic and democracy education.

ASIA

ASIA

Freedom of information was a key focus for the Endowment’s North Korea program, which supported
organizations working to spread access to alternative information and introduce democratic ideals
and values to empower North Korea’s isolated population. While North Korea remains one of the
world’s most repressive societies, members of the international community, including defectors and
activists in South Korea, are making impressive progress in providing alternative news and information
inside North Korea through the spread of technology and digital media.
Pakistan’s civilian government made a number of important strides towards strengthening democratic
processes in 2012, including passing amendments restoring the federal parliamentary character of
the Constitution and guaranteeing the rights to information and education. Despite these gains,
Pakistan faced a number of significant challenges, including ethnic and religious divisions, pervasive
corruption, and extremist violence. The Endowment continued to support long-term grassroots
education and community organizing efforts by civil society groups to address these challenges and
to increase public awareness of democratic norms and values and promote an active civic culture.
Elsewhere in South Asia, the Endowment increased its efforts to address the deterioration of the
political environment in Sri Lanka. Previously one of the subregion’s most democratic countries, Sri
Lanka has experienced no peace dividend after the conclusion of its nearly three-decade long civil
war, and the Rajapakse government has centralized power in the executive and clamped down on
civil society and independent media.
In Southeast Asia, the Endowment maintains modest support for programs in the Philippines,
Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, where Endowment partners worked to address corruption
and strengthen key democratic institutions like labor unions and political parties. In Vietnam,
the Endowment supported a small number of organizations assisting activists and working
to expand space for independent political activity in the face of an increasing number of
government crackdowns and restrictions on civil society.
Explore the 2012 Grants section that follows to better understand where NED has focused
its resources. To learn more about these grantees, visit our website at www.NED.org.

The Antenna Foundation (AF) in Nepal produces radio programs that provide local perspectives
on Nepal’s political transition and local governance. AF also trains reporters and producers of
local stations in the development of feature stories (which are then incorporated into the radio
programs) as well as in the use of the Right to Information Act to further their investigative work.
28 | National Endowment for Democracy

2012 Annual Report | 29

COUNTRY IN FOCUS

S

ince introducing economic reforms in 1978, China has undergone a
phenomenal economic transformation, now ranking as the world’s second
largest economy. But China’s ability to continue reaping the gains of
economic reform will be tested by the relative lack of political reform, which
has left the government ill-prepared to manage increasing demands for political
participation. To maintain its grip on power, the Chinese government employs a
system of sophisticated and tech-savvy political controls which are highly effective
at curbing freedoms of speech and association. But despite such controls, citizens
continue to demand fundamental rights, many of which are protected under the
constitution. The rapid expansion of internet and social media usage along with
a vibrant grassroots movement has created opportunities for citizens to call for
improved accountability and address abuses of power, laying the foundation for
the emergence of a rights-based reform agenda.

ASIA

ASIA

CHINA

To support these efforts, the Endowment partners with organizations such as the
China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group to support Chinese rights defense
lawyers representing democracy activists facing unfounded criminal accusations
or other harassment. Another NED partner, the Center for International Private
Enterprise, promotes free and open debates on property rights, raises public
awareness of the need for transparency, and encourages citizen input on
economic policies and laws. In addition, several NED grantees raised awareness
about ‘re-education’ through labor camps, contributing to the government’s
2013 announcement of its intention to abolish the camps over the next decade.
The Endowment also maintains support for minority rights. The Chinese
government continues to incite ethnic hatred through propaganda and
censorship. The application of law is racially biased, frequently leading to
extreme discrepancies in sentencing for minorities. Large-scale militarization
and surveillance of Tibet grew in 2012 in response to more than 100 selfimmolations since 2009. The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) continued its
efforts to highlight the Chinese government’s treatment of Uyghurs, organizing
an advocacy campaign in Geneva during the UN Human Rights Council meetings,
which remains one of the few policy outlets around the world where their voice
can be heard.
Although the government continues to harass and repress activists, Chinese
civil society activists continue to advocate and create opportunities for reforms.
Government repression means that activists in China will need continued
international support, and the Endowment is proud to assist their efforts to build
a stronger foundation for democratic progress in China.


Tiananmen Square, Beijing, site of the bloody 1989 crackdown on peaceful student
protests; image courtesy of Flickr user asirap under the Creative Commons license.

Middle East & North Africa

courtesy of Flickr user DVIDSHUB under the Creative Commons license.

COUNTRY IN FOCUS

IRAQ
A

lthough Iraq has so far successfully handled the end of a decade of U.S. security
presence, its democracy is highly fragile. Iraqis confront on-going violence, rights
violations, widespread corruption, organized crime, and rooted fiefdoms – but the
country benefits from a developed civil society, which is committed to participation in the
political process and defending its achievements.


A strong civil society helps ensure education for young girls in Iraq; image

Sectarian violence has made political compromise difficult, but broad-based coalitions
have nonetheless been able to effectively advocate for legislative reform at the provincial
and national levels. At the provincial level, civil society has introduced new mechanisms
that have persuaded officials and political party leaders to respond to citizen demands.
In 2012, the Iraqi Human Rights Watch Society, for example, convened 15 meetings
between citizens and officials to discuss human rights and hosted debaters from Iraq’s
diverse communities and political groups in three radio broadcasts on human rights
education. The Al-Najah Center for Training and Development trained 100 young people
in political and policy advocacy skills to support national campaigns on reforms.
With violence once again on the rise in Iraq, NED grantees face new challenges on multiple
fronts, including ensuring their basic security. NED is amplifying its support to help civil
society advocate for better governance, a more representative system, and the defense
of democratic freedoms.




Applied Social Science Forum, Tunisia

E

stablished in 2006 in Tunis, the Applied Social
Science Forum (ASFF) promotes public policy
research, conducts public opinion polling, trains
young researchers, and encourages public policy
debate on critical issues facing Tunisia. ASSF has
built a reputation for serving leaders and scholars
with high-quality research on social science and
public policy, linking scholars, legislators, and
practitioners in a discussion of public policy and
the policy making process. In 2012, after having
been in the works for a couple of years, NED
support enabled ASSF to launch its popular Local
Governance Barometer, a research tool designed
to measure the performance of local government
institutions. This tool was modeled on the Local
Governance Barometer formulated by the South
Africa-based Institute for Democracy in Africa
(IDASA), a past NED grantee.

become widely followed by policymakers and
advocates. NED support also allowed ASSF to
train 24 young researchers on opinion research
techniques and analysis, including polling,
surveys, data analysis, report writing, electoral
mapping analysis, and models of public opinion
research, with a focus on how research findings
are used to inform the policy process.

The goal of these Barometers is to build public
accountability, good governance, and increased
public participation for improved public service
delivery. ASSF’s Local Governance Barometer has


GRANTS IN FOCUS

Through its work, ASSF highlights the benefits of
opinion research by translating public opinion
into detailed guidance on how to design, modify,
and improve policy making in Tunisia.

NED support also allowed ASFF to publish the
first issue of its Arabic language newsletter, Public
Opinion, which featured articles on youth and
politics, and Salafism and demoratic transition.
The newsletter, poll results, and research
studies are disseminated widely to civil society
organizations, academics, policy makers, and
advocates. They are also available to the public
on ASSF’s website, www.ASSForum.org.

Image courtesy of Flickr user Gwenael Piaser under the Creative Commons license.



Latin America & Caribbean

San Lorenzo, a small town surrounded by sea inlets and mangrove swamps, is a gateway into Ecuador for
refugees fleeing political violence in Colombia. Asylum Access Ecuador advocates for policies that protect refugee
rights in accordance with international standards. Photo courtesy of Asylum Access Ecuador / Sandra ten Zijthoff.

ECUADOR

D

emocracy in Ecuador continued to deteriorate in 2012. With presidential and legislative elections
scheduled for early 2013, President Correa took steps to limit media coverage of political
campaigns, while making extensive use of the state apparatus to promote his own reelection.
Judicial reforms also undermined the independence of the judiciary and contributed a weakened
rule of law and a general climate of fear and intimidation. Attacks against independent media and
civil society continued. Over the last few years, traditional power brokers in Ecuadorian democracy
– such as political parties, unions, the media, and indigenous organizations – have been weakened
and lost public credibility and influence. Citizen participation in public affairs remains low, and a
highly polarized atmosphere leaves little room for constructive dialogue.
In light of these challenges, NED focused on
maintaining democratic space for civil society,
promoting transparency around the 2013
national elections, and building bridges of
understanding among political, civil and media
actors. NED partners worked to strengthen
freedom of expression as well as bolster
accountability and citizen participation in the
political process. NDI educated political parties
on complicated new electoral regulations so
that they could re-register and participate in
the 2013 elections. Participación CiudadanaEcuador monitored the use of public
resources on media advertising ahead of the
2013 elections to draw public attention to
government control over the public discussion
– aggressive, state-run advertising campaigns
successfully vilified political opponents and
promoted the Correa Administration’s agenda.
Fundación Ciudadanía y Desarrollo monitored
the attendance, voting record and performance
of national legislators, and held candidate



COUNTRY IN FOCUS

forums with legislators seeking reelection.
Movimiento Mi Cometa trained citizens to
monitor judicial reforms initiated in 2011, and
developed a set of indicators to measure judicial
transparency. Mi Cometa also established a new
Transparency and Probity Award to provide
yearly recognition to judges who perform with
honesty. Fundamedios continued to report on
direct and indirect threats against journalists,
and denounce freedom of expression violations
before domestic and international audiences.
IRI facilitated strategic platforms for citizens,
political parties, local governments and civil
society activists to discuss issues related to local
governance and public policy.
These and many other organizations are working
under the growing shadow of authoritarian rule,
with little relief in sight. But NED will continue to
stand with democracy and civil society activists
in their efforts to inform the public and reverse
Ecuador’s democratic decline.


recriminalizing libel, and new restrictions on the internet and on
freedom of assembly. These measures presented a new set of
challenges to the Endowment’s grantees in Russia, and with the
exit of USAID, the funding situation became acute even for many
of Russia’s most well-established NGOs. NED helped grantees
address legal hurdles and developed individualized strategies to
support their work. The Russian NGOs demonstrated considerable
courage, resilience, and creativity in meeting the challenges
created by the new legislation. The strength and professionalism
of the NGO sector coupled with the growing public demand for
government transparency holds out hope for future growth and
expansion of the Russia’s civil society.

Armenian voters look for their names on
publicly displayed voter lists at a precinct
in Ararat on election day in May 2012;
image courtesy of flickr user Neil Simon
under the Creative Commons license.

EURASIA

EURASIA

(Eurasia, continued from page 38)

In Kazakhstan, the government continued to intimidate and
imprison opposition leaders, journalists, and even ordinary
people who engaged in public protest. Over 40 independent
media outlets were shut down in 2012. Despite the pressure,
NED grantees like International Legal Initiative Public Foundation
monitored court cases dealing with freedom of assembly and the
Kazakhstan International Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law
operated a Legal Defense Center to advise and represent human
rights victims.
NED also worked to help civil society capitalize on political
openings and there were bright points in the region. Georgia
passed a milestone in October 2012 when, for the first time in its
history, power was transferred peacefully through free elections.
NED grantees were active across a range of issues: Association
“Studio Re” produced 22 television shows featuring balanced
and informed public debate, while the Georgian Young Lawyers
Association litigated serious electoral violations. Kyrgyzstan
also conducted legitimate, credible elections, and though the
Parliament is still a weak institution, the government is pursuing
ambitious democratic reform projects. In fact, Kyrgyzstan may
represent the most promise for democratic development in
Central Asia in the near term. NED supported organizations across
the country, but especially those in the volatile southern region
(such as Spravedlivost – see page 44), where ethnic violence
and human rights abuses against minorities remain some of the
country’s most serious challenges.
NED supported human rights, independent media, and NGO
development in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and in
Armenia, civil society partners are mobilizing on local governance
and topical issues ahead of national elections in 2017. Explore the
2012 Grants section that follows and visit our website at www.
NED.org to learn more about grantees across the region.



COUNTRY IN FOCUS

T

CONGO

he Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of Africa’s most unstable countries and
NED’s highest priority on the continent. NED has supported civil society organizations
there for over 20 years and, today, funds over 40 projects promoting human rights, good
governance, and conflict resolution in nine of Congo’s 11 provinces. In 2012, Association
Paysanne pour le Développement Rurale et Communautaire (APDIK) expanded radio
coverage in the remote High Plateau region of the volatile South Kivu Province to reduce
community-based conflicts. Making innovative use of solar panels where permament
electricity is absent, APDIK set up Internet access for the local community and produced
radio programs promoting inter-ethnic cooperation. The Reseau d’Education Civique au
Congo (RECIC) continued its work bringing local elected officials closer to their constituents
in Kinshasa, the capital city that is home to as many as 15 million people. It was able to
organize citizens at the commune-level to discuss their grievances and then bring them to
local officials, who are notoriously corrupt and have little accountability to the population.
Astrid Banza (right) is head of Jeunes Paysans en Action (JPA), which promotes women’s
leadership in the Kukaya district of Bas-Congo Province. In 2012, JPA held workshops and
public debates on women’s issues, and was able to train approximately 120 grassroots
activists in lobbying strategies to get more women involved in the decision-making processes
of local governments and carve out greater space for women to participate in society.

AFRICA

AFRICA

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE

With NED support, organizations like APDIK, RECIC, and JPA have fostered greater community
harmony, strengthened respect for human rights, and improved dialogue between the
government and its citizens. Corrupt governance has left the country’s democratic institutions
in shambles, but these organizations have helped close the gap between citizens and their
government, improve inter-ethnic relations, and promote the rights of the marginalized.
NED’s support for these groups funds their activities and provides both much-needed
institutional support as well as moral support in an oppressive environment.



Eurasia

“

We are free, where everything’s allowed and love comes first…

GRANTS IN FOCUS

”

-lyrics from Euphoria, the winning Eurovision entry performed by Loreen

S

wedish pop star Loreen swept last year’s Eurovision competition in Baku with her song “Euphoria,” but the
mood across the region darkened in 2012. Governments accelerated repressive policies and engaged in
new tactics to squash civil society, trends typified by Eurovision host country Azerbaijan, which engaged
in widespread crackdowns, property seizures, and arrests. NED worked with “Sing for Democracy,” a coalition
of Azeri NGOs that used the media attention of the Eurovision Song Contest to shine a spotlight on human
rights abuses in Azerbaijan. The Aliyev government wanted to sweep abuses under the carpet, but local groups
reached out to Eurovision winner Loreen and others to galvanize media attention; grantees again successfully
drew international attention with the “Expression Online” campaign during the Internet Governance Forum (also
in Baku) in November. These campaigns gave civil society activists valuable experience in forming coalitions, and
taught them the influence they could wield when they work
together.

American-Georgian Initiative for Liberal Education, Georgia

G

eorgia made dramatic democratic progress as an incumbent party accepted electoral defeat and
peacefully transferred power for the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union. Many factors
contributed to this historic development but a pivotal role was played by a renewed wave of youth activism,
sparked in protest to graphic evidence of prison abuse. The American-Georgian Initiative for Liberal
Education (AGILE) played an important role in supporting the this youth movement, and encouraging young
people to organize and advocate for their causes. AGILE pursued thoughtful, analytical discussions with
youth throughout the country on democratic values, the role of leadership, and balance of power among
branches of government. These discussions provided an opportunity for students throughout the country
to place current developments in a larger context and then develop practical responses. AGILE’s activities
encouraged participants to promote reform within their communities: two are shown here demonstrating
against the surprise May 28, 2013, firing of the National Exams Center director, who had been a major
force behind Georgia’s recent progress towards reducing corruption in higher education. NED is proud to
stand with the youth of Georgia as they engage in the democratic process.

Russia was another country with a darkening political mood.
Acting counter to public demands, the Russian Federal
Duma passed draconian legislation restricting human
rights and the ability of civil society organizations to
receive support from abroad. Other measures included
(continued on page 40)



Latin America
Caribbean
“
”
and the

We are entrepreneurs of knowledge, builders of democracy,
our social revolt is expressed by our perseverance.
- Hans Tippenhauer (via Twitter), President, Fondation Espoir (Haiti)

GRANTS IN FOCUS

Centro de Derechos Humanos de las Mujeres, Mexico

L

ucha Castro wants justice. The state of Chihuahua, which includes the notorious city of Ciudad Juárez, has
the highest female murder rate in Mexico, and a level of impunity that has left the bulk of these murders
unsolved. Sexual violence is also widespread. But in an environment that encourages silence, Castro, a
Mexican social activist and lawyer, had to speak out when mothers of murdered girls began to approach
her for legal help. She shifted her focus away from housing law and cofounded the Centro de Derechos
Humanos de las Mujeres (CEDEHM, Center for Women’s Human Rights, pictured marching here).
Now, with NED support, Castro and CEDEHM work to secure justice for women who have been victims
of violence in Chihuahua. CEDEHM also offers legal and psychological support to women victims, and
educates the authorities involved in processing these cases that all violence against women is a human
rights violation. “Speaking out makes me a target,” says Castro, who is regularly harassed and threatened
by organized crime, the military, and others, but she presses on with her work in what is widely regarded
as Mexico’s most dangerous state.
In 2012, Castro received the International Award of the Year from the Human Rights Association of Spain.
The award was presented at a January ceremony in Madrid, with the commendation that Castro has stood
strong “for many years in her work as a lawyer and activist defending human rights and democratic ideals,
primarily for women of Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua,” and that she “epitomizes the struggle of women and
organizations that support them to promote their right to a dignified life free of violence.” NED is proud to
stand with Castro in her struggle.


T

he Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region is one of contrasts, running the gamut from state failure to
solid democracies. What unites NED grantees in the region is their inner conviction that dedication and
perserverance can result in peaceful, democratic societies.

This inner conviction is powerfully present in Cuba’s community of democracy activists, which in 2012 faced ongoing
harassment, intimidation, assaults and detentions. The year started with the death of imprisoned dissident Wilman
Villar Mendoza following a 51-day hunger strike. In the spring, hundreds were detained ahead of the papal visit.
In June, leading dissident Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas and young democracy activist Harold Cepero were killed in a
mysterious car accident. But at the Seventh Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy in October, Cuban
activists bravely introduced “For Another Cuba,” a citizen initiative to lobby their government for ratification of the
covenants of the United Nations, with the hope that implementation
could create a scenario for the island’s transition to democracy.
This inner conviction also fuels grantees in the fragile state of Haiti.
NED supported local involvement in the reconstruction process after
the devastating 2010 earthquake and strengthened the ability of
local organizations to better interact with the international donor



Asociación Civil Transparencia, Peru

P

eru’s Asociación Civil Transparencia was
founded in 1994 by a small group of Peruvian
professionals and academics. They knew that
the simple act of holding elections was not
enough to ensure a freedom in a country
beset by political violence and corruption, and
recognized the need for an independent, neutral
and vocal election watchdog. The work they did
in the closely-watched April 2000 Presidential
election – which included training and fielding
almost 20,000 volunteers and observers –
changed the course of the country’s democracy,


and established Transparencia as a leading voice
on democratic development.
Today in Peru, Transparencia works to
consolidate and secure the democratic
progress the country has made during the two
decades since their founding. In 2012, with
NED support, the organization worked with
two key committees in the legislature – the
Special Committee to Strengthen Legislative
Representation and the working group that was
reviewing electoral and political party reform –

to improve transparency and compile a manual
of best practices for crafting good legislation. The
Transparencia technical team promoted ongoing
communication between experts, advisors, and
congressmen and parliamentarians, and held
workshops on ways to strengthen and improve
the legislative process.
Transparencia also identified the need for
informed, insightful reporting on the part of the
media. In partnership with a local university,
Transparencia offered a certificate program for
journalists covering the legislature, focusing
on the structure, workings and functions of
Congress. With six day-long sessions over three
months, legislative and media experts trained

almost 50 reporters and created a network of
communicators with a deeper understanding of
the workings of their democracy.
Transparencia defines its mission as “trabajar
para conseguir que la democracia tenga vigencia
en nuestras instituciones y en el ejercicio que
los ciudadanos hacen de sus derechos,” which
translates to “working towards the validity
of democracy in our institutions and in the
ability of citizens to exercise their rights.”
NED is proud to support this mission and help
Transparencia and organizations like it to
strengthen the effectiveness of institutions in
young democracies.


GRANTS IN FOCUS


RUSSIA
R

ussian government backlash against civil society as a whole and democracy assistance in
particular has made Russia a priority country for the Endowment. The government’s actions
are in response to a historic surge of civil society activity in the country that peaked between
December 2011 and May 2012. Fraudulent parliamentary elections in December 2011 inspired
an outburst of citizen activism, not only in the form of mass rallies against electoral manipulation,
but also in the organization of a diverse range of civic initiatives driven by Russia’s emerging
youthful middle class. These newly minted activists enthusiastically dedicated themselves to
reform efforts such as vote monitoring and anti-corruption advocacy as well as online journalism
and social activism projects, including natural disaster relief. All of these activities represent an
extremely promising development for Russian civil society and an important opportunity for
increased Endowment engagement as many new groups have turned to the NED for support.

EURASIA

EURASIA

COUNTRY IN FOCUS

But the Kremlin reacted with a series of politically-motivated trials and a set of laws aimed
at stifling the country’s emerging civil society. Russian judges have convicted independent
politicians on minimal or non-existent evidence. To intimidate potential protestors, a group of
ordinary citizens who participated in a May 2012 demonstration are being tried on concocted
charges carrying long jail terms.
Of equal concern is new legislation specifically targeting Russian NGOs and the mechanisms
of democracy assistance. Since May 2012, the Russian government has passed a series of new
laws in this area, most notoriously the so-called “foreign agents” law. This legislation requires
groups engaging in vaguely-defined “political activity” to implicate themselves with the sinistersounding label of “foreign agent” – a clear attempt to delegitimize the NGO sector within
Russian society. Russia’s NGOs have responded with professionalism, courage, and conviction.
They have challenged the new laws in the courts (in some cases winning rare victories against
Russia’s compromised judiciary) and they continue to speak out.
In developing its strategy for Russia, NED prioritizes legal assistance and NGO-building to
defend civil society and provide support for organizations as they adjust to new demands and
requirements. NED works closely with Russian grantees to develop appropriate responses on a
case by case basis. Promoting freedom of information is also central to NED’ Russia strategy; the
ability to publicize the ongoing crackdown is essential to Russians’ ability to push back against
repressive government actions. Despite enormous pressure, NED grantees in Russia remain
committed to their work and the demand for Endowment support continues to grow.

Opposite: a Russian protestor holds a sign that says, “Check your vision. United Russia, Party of Swindlers and
Thieves,” a popular insult of the ruling party.



Africa

“

”

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the
shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.
– Nelson Mandela
Democracy faced enormous challenges in Africa in 2012, with the collapse of one formerly peaceful democracy,
the rise of authoritarian models of development, imminent state failures, and looming political violence. NED
grantees responded with determination, resourcefulness, and courage, even at the risk of death. In Somalia,
18 journalists were murdered, including Hassan Osman Abdi, the director of the independent Shabelle Media
Network. Overall, seven of those killed in 2012 worked with three of the nine NED-supported media outlets
and projects. Despite these tragedies, Somali organizations successfully pressed on and NED was proud to
continue supporting independent media, journalist training, and human rights groups advocating for greater
democratic accountability in the country.
Violence flared in the wake of Nigeria’s democratic 2011 elections and Boko Haram extremists threatened to
further inflame tensions, but NED’s civil society partners adopted an impressive range of strategies to promote
tolerance, monitor human rights abuses, encourage political reform, and increase accountability. NED grantees
such as the YMCA, YOSPIS, YIAGA, and Youngstars educated youth about democracy and encouraged their civic
participation using social media, internships in state government, voluntarism, and school democracy clubs.
Other grantees used various means to promote women’s political participation, such as COGEN, Kebetkache,
WARDC, and WACI; and CIPE strengthened the role of business women in policy making.
In the aftermath of Cote d’Ivoire’s civil war, the newly-elected government failed to seriously address the
problem of impunity and the need for national reconciliation, but NED’s eight partners united to produce
a major report on the past ten years of human rights abuses. In the prelude to elections in Kenya, political
violence threatened to negate the gains of a new constitution; NED supported civil society projects advocating

CHEAD, Nigeria

GRANTS IN FOCUS

T

he Centre for Human Empowerment, Advancement and Development (CHEAD) has
been a NED grantee since 2008, and it works to reduce the number of extra-judicial
killings in southeast Nigeria. Vigilante groups were initially encouraged by local merchants to
combat spiraling crime rates in the region, and they still enjoy a measure of public support,
despite a track record of brutal torture and killings. CHEAD collects and circulates reports
of these vigilante killings, and organizes public tribunals in collaboration with the National
Human Rights Commission of Nigeria. CHEAD Executive Director Amaka Biachi is pictured
here addressing women’s groups in Abia state.



Marguerite Sullivan, Marius Dragomir, David Sasaki,
David Kaplan). These and the rest of CIMA’s reports
are available for free download at http://cima.ned.
org/publications.

ADVISORY COUNCIL
Esther Dyson
Stephen Fuzesi, Jr.
William A. Galston
Suzanne Garment
Mark Helmke
Ellen Hume
Jerry Hyman
Alex S. Jones
Shanthi Kalathil
Susan King
Craig LaMay
Caroline Little
Richard Lugar
Eric Newton
William Orme
Dale Peskin
Adam Clayton Powell III
Monroe E. Price
Adam Schiff
Kurt Wimmerichard Winfield


M

ore journalists were killed around the world in 2012 than in any other year
since 1995. In this dangerous environment, the Center for International
Media Assistance (CIMA) at the National Endowment for Democracy
worked to strengthen the support, raise the visibility, and improve the effectiveness
of independent media development throughout the world. The Center provides
information, builds networks, conducts research, and highlights the indispensable
role independent media play in the creation and development of sustainable
democracies. CIMA works to achieve these goals through discussions, original
reports, and catalyst activities.
Discussions
CIMA organizes panel discussions, working groups, and roundtables featuring
practitioners and academics to investigate important issues in international media.
CIMA held 12 public events in 2012 on topics including Clear and Present Danger:
Attempts to Change Internet Governance and Media Law Reform 2.0: Advancing Press
Freedom and Independent Media Around the World. Summaries as well as video and
audio reordings of CIMA events can be found at http://cima.ned.org/events.
Reports
CIMA commissions research reports on key topics in media development and also
publishes papers summarizing some of its events and working groups.
The Center published 13 reports in 2012, including Calling the Shots: How Ownership
Structures Affect the Independence of News Media; Is There a Link Between Media
and Good Governance? and Dangerous Work: Violence Against Mexico’s Journalists
and Lessons from Colombia. The launch event for Empowering Independent Media
(see sidebar) is pictured here (l-r: Thomas Melia, Sarah Mendelson, Barbara Haig,

Catalyst Activities
In October, CIMA was the lead organizer of the first
global donors-only meeting on media assistance at
the Pocantico Conference Center of the Rockefeller
Brothers Fund in New York. It was attended by
representatives from 25 major donor organizations,
who discussed their funding activities in media
development. The meeting participants agreed
that the rapid growth and changes in the field of
media development require new practices in the
community, including enhancing informationsharing mechanisms to improve coordination and
opportunities for collaboration within the donor
community.
CIMA also maintains a comprehensive bibliographic
database of media assistance resources with more
than 1,300 items. On its website, CIMA has posted
country profiles detailing the status of independent
media in countries around the world and comparing
media freedom indexes. These can be accessed at
http://cima.ned.org/. CIMA also gathers articles
from numerous news sources on developments in
media (traditional and digital) and distributes them
via a Media News mailing and a weekly Digital Media
Mash Up. Sign up for these and other CIMA mailings,
and follow CIMA on Facebook and Twitter, at http://
cima.ned.org/about-cima/follow-cima.

C

IMA released the second edition of its report,
Empowering Independent Media: U.S. Efforts to
Foster a Free Press and an Open Internet Around the
World, at an event marking World Press Freedom Day on
May 1, 2012. David E. Kaplan, an investigative journalist
and media consultant, edited the report. Empowering
Independent Media finds that U.S. international efforts
to bolster independent media and an open Internet
have had significant impact yet are challenged by
too little funding, growth in online censorship and
surveillance, and rising attacks on journalists. Drawing
on original research as well as CIMA’s earlier reports,
it examines seven core areas of media development:
funding, digital media, sustainability, media law,
safety of journalists, education, and monitoring and
evaluation. The report makes several recommendations
to strengthen independent media around the world,
including: increasing funding; improving coordination
among donors and implementers; building the capacity
of citizen journalists; embedding digital media and
project evaluation into all programs; and putting greater
emphasis on business skills, the legal environment,
community radio, and investigative journalism.

NED Annual Report 2012 Highlight Spreads

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