The American Academy of Diplomacy, in partnership with the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) held a panel discussion back in April at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs in Minneapolis to discuss “diplomatic engagement with non-governmental organizations and civil society to promote effective democratic governance.”
The event's featured speakers were: Ambassador Edwin Corr, former ambassador to Peru, Bolivia and El Salvador, Ambassador Barbara Bodine, former ambassador to Yemen, Ken Wollack, president of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and Lorne Craner, president of the International Republican Institute (IRI).
You can watch the entire session here. If you don't have tons of time, I highly recommend listening to Ambassador Bodine's remarks about he rexperiences promoting democracy in Yemen.
Bodine spoke about how democratization and stabilization from conflict are not mutually exclusive activities, rather the need to be addressed at the same time. She spoke about her efforts to work with NGOs within Yemen to help them help the country on the path of democratization.
Bodine said: “[one must] Find out where the society wants to go, what are their priorities and then figure out how you [being the US government] support them to move forward.” She said that for this to work, these efforts can't be focused solely on national security concerns within that country.
Ambassador Corr's remarks about his experience promoting democracy in El Salvador is also interesting. He related some lessons learned, such as: emphasise civilian rule over military rule, make sure the Salvadorians are in charge of the democratization process, and that it is their style of democracy being implemented, etc.
He said the approach has to be holistic, that is engage our whole government with their whole government, our judges with their judges, but always in a supportive, not dominating role. He also emphasized that embassy staff equipped with language skills is essential. He also said that you can't start to promote democracy if the country isn't ready for it yet.
