Democracies around the world are facing an inflection point. Emboldened authoritarians, weaponizing information on and offline, are straining established and young democratic institutions alike. The global pandemic has both exacerbated inequities within and between societies, and reinvigorated protest movements calling for better governance. Since 1983, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) has worked on the frontlines alongside activists, elected officials and institutions to support their goals, and help democracy deliver.
Join us for a discussion with NDI’s Rachel Mims and Nicole Rowsell that delves into the challenges and opportunities for the current state of democracies and how NDI is working to support democratic actors and institutions, advance democratic practices that center the interests of historically marginalized communities, and champion the political aspirations of young people.
SPEAKERS
Rachel E. Mims serves as a Senior Program Officer on the Citizen Participation & Inclusion team at the National Democratic Institute, where she works to support the meaningful political participation and inclusion of young people across NDI’s global youth portfolio. Rachel facilitates Institute-wide learning, resource development, and training on youth participation and inclusion and supports the management, design, and implementation of youth programs. Prior to joining NDI in 2017, Rachel managed a program for emerging young leaders across the United States and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines from 2013-2016.
Nicole Rowsell currently serves as Acting Vice President and Special Assistant to the President at the National Democratic Institute. She has more than 20 years of experience supporting democratic transitions, with particular emphasis on complex conflict transformation, inclusive political processes, and evidence-based policy development to promote and protect democratic values. Prior to her current role, Rowsell served as Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, Senior Country Director in Lebanon and Tunisia, and has coordinated organizational change processes including review of the Institute’s vision, mission and values, and global strategic objectives.
