International IDEA is governed by its Council of Member States.
The organization is governed by its Statutes, the latest of which entered into force November 2008. Membership in International IDEA is open to governments which demonstrate, by example in their own state, their commitment to the rule of law, human rights, the basic principles of democratic pluralism and strengthening democracy.
WHAT WE DO
We develop, share and enable the use of comparative knowledge in our key impact areas of expertise: electoral processes, constitution-building, political participation and representation. We also address the important issues of gender, diversity, and conflict and security as they relate to democracy. Our efforts to support democratic change build on our convening potential. We facilitate dialogue at the country, expert and international levels. We work in the spirit of peer dialogue, in which everyone has experiences and knowledge to share.
Our mission
We advance democracy worldwide, as a universal human aspiration and an enabler of sustainable development, through support to the building, strengthening and safeguarding of democratic political institutions and processes at all levels.
Our approach
We believe that democracy is a universal human aspiration and an experience that is pursued and lived in different ways around the world. It comes in multiple forms. These forms are in constant evolution. There is no single and universally applicable model of democracy. There is no end point in improving democracy. Fundamentally, democracy is a system in which the government is controlled by the people and citizens are considered equals in the exercise of that control. Beyond the basic tenets of citizens’ choice and citizens’ political equality, the critical choices are best made and the quality of democracy is best gauged by those directly concerned: the citizens themselves. We systematically nurture an open and pluralistic understanding of democracy. This is respectful of the national context, and is in line with our non-prescriptive and non-intrusive approach, as well as with the priorities set by national actors.
