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The '''Westminster Foundation for Democracy''' (WFD) is a state an organisation funded organisation working by the U.K. government that works to promote democracy overseas, much like the USU.S.-based [[National Endowment for Democracy]].

The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) was established in March 1992 to provide assistance in building and strengthening pluralist democratic institutions overseas.

==Work==Its priority areas website states that they are Central "in the process of moving away from being a grant funder of free standing projects and therefore will not be accepting any new project proposals for grants for the foreseeable future." Their "work will now focus on longer-term programmes aimed at strengthening parliaments and political parties in designated countries in Africa, Eastern Europeand the Middle East, in particular [[Ukraine]], [[Georgia]], [[Lebanon]], [[Yemen]], the Commonwealth of Independent (CIS) [[Mozambique]] and Anglophone Africa[[Uganda]].

*Former Chief Executive - [[Trefor Williams]] "Our funds are fully committed to programmes in our two specialist fields of ''parliamentary strengthening'' and ''political party development''. In both these fields we work at national and local levels." They currently have programme commitments in the following countries:<ref>[http://www.basicintwfd.org/aboutpages/standard.htm About BASICaspx?i_PageID=144 What we do], Westminster Foundation for Democracy, accessed August 14, 2007June 2008.</ref>*Africa **[[Kenya]]**[[Mozambique]]**[[Sierra Leone]]**[[Uganda]]*Europe**[[Georgia]]**[[Macedonia]]**[[Serbia]]**[[Ukraine]]*Middle East and North Africa**[[Egypt]]**[[Lebanon]]**[[Yemen]]

"WFD acknowledges the important role played by the [[media ]] in civil society; that role is essential to the democratic process. In the last year, WFD conducted a project in partnership with the [[Mohamed Amin Foundation]] to develop the capacity of the media and improve broadcast journalism in east Africa. The aim of the project was to raise awareness of political and electoral issues, which was particularly relevant in the context of the Tanzanian [[Tanzania]]n and Kenyan [[Kenya]]n elections and constitutional review process in [[Uganda]]." [http://www.wfd.org/upload/docs/WFD%20Annual%20Review%202002-03.pdf] =="Promoting democracy"==The Westminster Foundation for Democracy is similar in nature to the [[National Endowment for Democracy]]. [[William Robinson]] (1996) suggests that such organizations are involved in "the promotion of polyarchy as a transnational project reflecting [[globalization]]" [http://www.cambridge.org/uk/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521566916 (Robinson, 1996, p. 363)]  :"This process is taking place through the development at two distinct levels of transnational mechanisms for promoting and instutionalizing a polyarchic global political system. The first level is that of other Northern countries. These countries have set up their own government-linked "democracy promotion" agencies and launched programs to intervene in the political systems and civil socities of the Third World, in coordination with US programs. By the early 1990s: the British government had established a quasi-private foundation similar to the [[NED]], the Westminster Foundation; the Canadian government had established a similar [[International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development]]; [[Sweden]], [[Japan]], and [[France]] were expected to develop their own foundations; and several [[Germany|German]] foundations which have been active in limited "political aid" programs overseas since the 1970s, began to expand these programs and to coordinate them with the NED." [http://www.cambridge.org/uk/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521566916 (Robinson, 1996, p. 364)] The [[Australia]]n government has also established the [[Australian Centre for Democratic Institutions]] (CDI). ==Egypt==The Foundation notes that: "In Cairo in March 2006, for example, we brought together for two days of consultation representatives of the Egyptian government, leaders of secular opposition parties,civil society activists, academics, leaders of the free media and parliamentarians affiliated to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]]. The result was real dialogue between divergent and opposing opinions focused on strengthening the role of [[Egypt]]’s parliament, something which rarely takes place without the role of catalyst that we were able to provide... "Subsequently, plans were finalised to establish a steering group in Cairo which would enable WFD to develop its parliamentary strengthening programme with direction and advice from a body with wide-ranging local knowledge and experience. The work of the steering group will ensure that this initiative continues to be rooted in the realities of Egyptian parliamentary life. It will also provide a link to WFD’s thematic programme in the MENA [Middle East & North Africa] region." [http://www.wfd.org/upload/docs/WFDAnnualReview.pdf] ==People=='''Governors and patrons as of June 2008:'''<ref>[http://www.wfd.org/pages/standard.aspx?i_PageID=111 Governors and patrons/Staff], Westminster Foundation for Democracy, accessed June 2008.</ref>*[[Hugh Bayley]], MP, Chairman *[[Tom Brake]], MP, Vice Chairman*[[Saghir Alam]], WFD Governor*[[Jim Bewsher]], WFD Governor*[[Tina Fahm]], WFD Governor*[[Ken Jones]], WFD Governor*[[Christine Knights]], WFD Governor*[[Hugh Robertson]], MP, WFD Governor*[[Richard Spring]], MP, WFD Governor*[[Gisela Stuart]], MP, WFD Governor*[[Myles Wickstead]], CBE, WFD Governor*[[George Foulkes]], WFD Governor ("Lord Foulkes of Cumnock") '''Staff as of June 2008:'''*[[David French]], Chief Executive *[[Sian Dixon]], Programme Officer Africa and Rest of the World Team*[[Romana Janku]], Programme Officer Europe Team *[[Salah Khalil]], Corporate Consultant*[[Dina Melhem]], Head of Mena Programmes*[[Brian Merritt]], IT Officer/Administrator*[[Tamara Moluch]], Administrator and Assistant to the Chief Executive*[[Paul Naismith]], Finance Director and Company Secretary*[[Marina Narnor]], Head of Africa and Rest of the World Programmes *[[Leza O'Flaherty]], Programme Manager Europe Team*[[Alex Romaniuc]], Acting Head of Europe Programmes *[[David Thirlby]], Programme Officer Africa and Rest of the World Team *[[Zaya Yeebo]], Programme Manager, Africa and Rest of the World Team*[[Matthew Young]], Programme Officer MENA team '''Former:'''*Vice-Chair: [[Nik Gowing]] *Vice-Chair: [[Michael Moore (MP)]] MP *Vice-Chair: [[Michael Trend]] MP  Governors: *[[Georgina Ashworth]] *[[Frances D'Souza]] *[[Nicola Duckworth]]*Chairman: [[Michael Gapes]] MP*[[Mary Kaldor]] *[[Elfyn Llwyd]] MP *[[Patrick Smith]] *[[Michael Aaronson]] *[[Caroline Spelman]] MP  '''Staff''':*Former Chief Executive - [[Trefor Williams]] <ref>[http://www.basicint.org/about.htm About BASIC], , accessed August 14, 2007.</ref>

=='''2002/2003 Staff==:'''

=='''Patrons=='''

=="Promoting democracy"Contact details==The Westminster Foundation for Democracy is similar in nature to the [[National Endowment for Democracy]]. William Robinson (1996) suggests that such organizations are involved in "the promotion of polyarchy as a transnational project reflecting globalization" [http:/<br>Artillery House<br>11/www.cambridge.org/uk/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521566916 (Robinson, 1996, p. 363)] 19 Artillery Row<br>London SW1P 1RT<br>Tel:"This process is taking place through the development at two distinct levels of transnational mechanisms for promoting and instutionalizing a polyarchic global political system. The first level is that of other Northern countries. These countries have set up their own government-linked "democracy promotion" agencies and launched programs to intervene in the political systems and civil socities of the Third World, in coordination with US programs. By the early 1990s: the British government had established a quasi-private foundation similar to the [[NED]], the Westminster Foundation; the Canadian government had established a similar [[International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development]]; Sweden, Japan, and France were expected to develop their own foundations; and several German foundations which have been active in limited "political aid" programs overseas since the 1970s, began to expand these programs and to coordinate them with the [[NED]]." [http://www.cambridge.org/uk/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521566916 +44 (Robinson, 1996, p. 3640)] The Australian government has also established the [[Australian Centre for Democratic Institutions]] 20 7799 1311<br>Fax: +44 (CDI0).20 7799 1312<br>==Egypt==The Foundation notes thatEmail: "In Cairo in March 2006, for example, we brought together for two days of consultation representatives of the Egyptian government, leaders of secular opposition parties,civil society activists, academics, leaders of the free media and parliamentarians affiliated to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]]. The result was real dialogue between divergent and opposing opinions focused on strengthening the role of Egypt’s parliament, something which rarely takes place without the role of catalyst that we were able to provide..wfd AT wfd.org<br> "Subsequently, plans were finalised to establish a steering group in Cairo which would enable WFD to develop its parliamentary strengthening programme with direction and advice from a body with wide-ranging local knowledge and experience. The work of the steering group will ensure that this initiative continues to be rooted in the realities of Egyptian parliamentary life. It will also provide a link to WFD’s thematic programme in the MENA region." [Web: http://www.wfd.org/upload/docs/WFDAnnualReview.pdf] ==Governors==*Chairman: [[Michael Gapes]] MP *Vice-Chair: [[Nik Gowing]] *Vice-Chair: [[Michael Moore (MP)]] MP *Vice-Chair: [[Michael Trend]] MP Governors: *[[Georgina Ashworth]] *[[Frances D'Souza]] *[[Nicola Duckworth]] *[[Mary Kaldor]] *[[Elfyn Llwyd]] MP *[[Patrick Smith]] *[[Michael Aaronson]] *[[Richard Spring]] MP *[[Caroline Spelman]] MP *[[Gisela Stuart]] MP

===Related Sourcewatcharticles===

[[Category:Democracy]][[Category:Government agencies]][[Category:United Kingdom]]