NDI: “Combating Violent Extremism & Reducing State Fragility Through Democratic Engagement:”Members of Parliament from Burkina Faso, Mali & Niger
From November 13 to 17, 2017, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in collaboration with the Institute for Representative Government (IRG) organized a legislative exchange program for six members of the National Assemblies of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in Washington, D.C. As part of this exchange program, members of parliament (MPs) from the Sahel region of Africa were invited to discuss with their U.S. counterparts how parliaments can play an active role in combating violent extremism and strengthening peace and security in the region and globally.
This program sought to equip MPs with tools and policy information for responding effectively to rising security threats of violent extremism. Each country delegation consisted of two MPs, with one MP representing the majority party and the other MP representing a minority party to maintain political balance in the delegation. The delegation included two women MPs engaged in combating violent extremism and enhancing citizen security, areas where women are underrepresented.