Westminster Foundation for Democracy
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The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body set up to support democratic institutions overseas.[1][2][3][4] It was established in March 1992 and registered as a company limited by guarantee.[5] It receives funding from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development. The current chair of the organisation is Richard Graham MP[6] and the current chief executive is Anthony Smith CMG.[7]
WFD works to achieve sustainable political change in emerging democracies. Working with and through partner organisations, the Foundation seeks to strengthen the institutions of democracy, principally political parties (through the work of the UK political parties), parliaments and the range of institutions that make up civil society – non-governmental organisations (NGOs), trade unions and free media, among others.[8][9]
WFD works in 34 countries.[10]
In 2016 WFD had a budget of about £7 million, of which about £2.5 million was spent through the major UK political parties. The WFD accounts are presented to the UK parliament annually.[11][12]
The organization finances groups in Venezuela that oppose the socialist government.[13]
See also[]
- National Endowment for Democracy, a similar organization based in the United States
- Electoral Reform Society, an organisation seeking improvement in the UK's own democracy
- Conflict, Stability and Security Fund
References[]
- ^ "Westminster Foundation for Democracy". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ "Westminster Foundation for Democracy". European Partnership for Democracy (EPD). Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ "Tailored Review of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy:Written statement - HLWS920". UK Parliament. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ Scott, James M. (1999-09-01). "Transnationalizing democracy promotion: The role of Western political foundations and think‐tanks". Democratization. 6 (3): 146–170. doi:10.1080/13510349908403625. ISSN 1351-0347.
- ^ "THE WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ "About Richard". Richard Graham. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ "Strengthening democracy around the world - Civil Service Quarterly". quarterly.blog.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ "Our approach". Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ "Westminster Foundation for Democracy". European Partnership for Democracy (EPD). Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ "Where we work". Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ "It depends who's counting". The Economist. 11 January 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- ^ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2017 (PDF) (Report). Westminster Foundation for Democracy. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- ^ https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-01-06-revealed-uk-sets-up-media-influencing-project-in-venezuela-amid-secretive-750000-democracy-promotion-programme/
External links[]
- Foreign relations of the United Kingdom
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Non-departmental public bodies of the United Kingdom government
- 1992 establishments in the United Kingdom
- United Kingdom government stubs