Wow, another year has passed and the DemWorks blog is now five years old. In 2019, DemWorks had some huge growth spurts, adding Podcast and Video series and reaching upwards of 73,400 unique pageviews – that’s nearly 23 percent increase over last year!

It’s clear that there is demand for the expertise that NDI’s staff in DC, Silicon Valley, and 50+ offices around the world can share. Three blog posts from previous years continued to have remarkable long-term relevance for readers, collectively accounting for almost 44 percent of this year’s pageviews: The Role of Citizens in Democracy, La importancia de idiomas mayas para la construcción de la democracia en Guatemala (English version), and Three Challenges Faced by Political Parties in the 21st Century. 

In the next year, we hope to bring you more blogs, podcasts and videos from NDI staff and guest bloggers that delve into cutting-edge democracy issues and give a platform to democracy heroes around the world. We especially hope to bring you more blog posts written by staff in our offices around the world, who are truly the heart and soul of NDI’s work. Subscribe to our newsletter to never miss a post.

Without further fanfare, here are the five top most-read DemWorks posts from 2019:

1) What is the state of democracy according to Madeleine Albright? by Derek Mitchell in Washington, DC

In the inaugural DemWorks podcast, NDI President Derek Mitchell talked to the incomparable Madeleine K. Albright about her role as a risk-taking woman leader, the state of democracy and her role as chairman of NDI from its founding in 1983. Interviewing the person for whom the term “Madam Secretary” was first coined was a fitting way to kick off NDI’s month-long celebration of risk-taking women. Read More

2) How can democracies remain committed to their values amid rising authoritarianism? by Derek Mitchell in Washington, DC

This episode of the DemWorks podcast, discussed the unmistakable rise of authoritarian influence around the world, with a specific focus on China. Timed to mark 30 years since the violent suppression of public demonstrations for political reform in Beijing that occurred in and around Tiananmen Square, NDI President Derek Mitchell took the opportunity to reflect on his experience visiting Beijing the month before Tienannmen, in May of 1989, to witness the height of those demonstrations. Read More

3) Promoting Religious Freedom in Southeast Asia by Meghan Burland in Washington, DC

NDI Program Manager Meghan Burland described her experience working with ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), a regional human rights advocacy organization, to provide parliamentarians in Southeast Asia support in their efforts to advocate for religious freedom issues in the region. Read More

4) The End of Pessimism? Democracy Makes a Resurgence by Adam George in Washington, DC

Reflecting on the release of The Economist Intelligence Unit’s annual Democracy Index, NDI Proposal Associate Adam George provided his assessment of the democracy development space and broader trends from a 10,000-foot view: “The most notable accomplishment of 2018 was the halting of the so-called global “democratic backslide.” Read More

5) Taking Wing: “In the land of blood and honey” by Irhana Cajdin in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In this interview-style blog, guest blogger Irhana Čajdin reflected on her experience living through the Bosnian genocide, growing up in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina and her decision to become involved in politics “to stand up and make a change.” Read More

Want more? Read the top posts from 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.