Centre for Democratic Institutions

About CDI

CDI was established by the Australian government to support the efforts of new democracies in the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen their political systems. Our core budget is provided by AusAID, Australia’s Agency for International Development, and we are based in the Crawford School of Economics and Government in the College of Asia and the Pacific at The Australian National University in Canberra and draw from the considerable intellectual capital of Australia's leading graduate tertiary institution.

CDI’s mandate is to strengthen two key institutions of representative democracy -- parliamentary governance and political parties – in the emerging democracies of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. A fundamental focus is the link between parliamentary and party structures and the broader development process.

CDI aims to improve governance and political practice in partner countries via intensive, targeted programs on parliamentary leadership, the operation of political parties, the reform of democratic institutions, the representation of women, and other issues relating directly to improving the effectiveness and quality of national parliaments, parties, and politicians themselves.

In order to do this, we conduct high-level training courses, act as a networking hub, provide direct technical assistance and undertake applied research on parliamentary and political party development. All of this is aimed squarely at emerging leaders in our target countries -- Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

CDI General Information - A4 Flyer

Our Themes, Goals, & Approach
CDI Associates

Our Activities
ANU Review Group

CDI Staff & Contact Details
CDI Consultative Council | 1999-2008


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	Crawford School of Economics and Government	The Centre for Democratic Institutions (CDI) is a government-funded body that supports the efforts of new democracies in the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen their political systems. It provides training, technical assistance and peer support for parliamentarians and emerging leaders in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, with a particular focus on Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji. The Australian Government established CDI in 1998. It is funded primarily by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). One of the primary ways in which CDI works to promote democracy is through strengthening parliamentary governance and political parties. The Centre focusses on parliamentary and political party development, and conducts flagship training courses and policy-relevant research on these subjects.
© The Centre for Democratic Institutions, The Australian National University. Please direct all comments to cdi@anu.edu.au. Last modified: 7 September, 2009 CRICOSProvider Number: 00120C