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The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), is the only inter-governmental organization supporting democracy around the world. It aims to support journalists with up-to-date information and impartial analysis. Our experts are on hand to talk to media and have been cited in the likes of The New York Times to the BBC, Le Monde and the Mail & Guardian. Our reports are also available online, including our flagship Global State of Democracy Report. Be among the first to learn about our announcements and new reports by signing up for our press releases and regular newsletter on this page.

Here are some of our experts who are available for interviews on our regional programmes, key focus areas and special initiatives—including the Global Monitor of COVID-19's Impact on Democracy and Human Rights, which is co-funded by the European Union..


Full Profile

Kevin Casas-Zamora

Secretary-General

Expertise: Global overview of democracy, consequences for democracy in general, geopolitics, civil liberties, Latin America

Languages: English, Spanish


Directors

Full Profile

Roba Sharamo

Director for Africa and West Asia

Expertise: International security, democratic governance, political economy of conflicts, peacebuilding, mediation and negotiation, state of democracy in Africa and the Middle East

Country / Region Focus: Africa and West Asia

Languages: English, Gabra, Oromo, Somali, Swahili


Full Profile

Leena Rikkilä Tamang

Director for Asia and the Pacific

Expertise: Democratic transitions/backsliding in the region, state of democracy in Asia and the Pacific

Country / Region Focus: Asia and the Pacific

Languages: English, Finnish


Full Profile

Massimo Tommasoli

Director of Global Programmes and Permanent Observer for International IDEA to the United Nations

Expertise: United Nations and democracy assistance response, Implications for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish


Full Profile

Sam van der Staak

Head of Programme, Regional Europe

Expertise: Europe, impact of the coronavirus pandemic within European Union, state of democracy in Europe

Country / Region Focus: European Union

Languages: Dutch, English


Full Profile

Daniel Zovatto

Director for Latin America and the Caribbean

Expertise: Latin America, impact of the coronavirus pandemic on electoral processes , state of democracy in The Americas

Country / Region Focus: Latin America

Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish


Adhy Aman

Senior Programme Manager

Expertise: Senior Programme Manager, Asia and the Pacific and Country Programme Manager for Fiji and Mongolia

Country / Region Focus: Fiji and Mongolia

Languages: Bahasa Indonesia, English


Sumit Bisarya

Head of Constitution-Building Processes

Expertise: Emergency powers and democracy, impact on the rule of law

Languages: English


Marcus Brand

Head of Programme, Myanmar

Expertise: Democratic governance, constitutional and rule of law reform

Country / Region Focus: Myanmar

Languages: English


Khameyel Fenniche

Head of Tunisia Programme

Expertise: Political participation; Elections; Civic education; Communication & Outreach; University teaching; Inclusion

Country / Region Focus: Tunisia, Middle East

Languages: Arabic, English, French


Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu

Senior Advisor, Democracy and Inclusion

Expertise: Gender equality and women’s empowerment, politics, media, constitutions, electoral processes and governance, parliamentary development and legislative formulation, women’s human rights advocacy and community development.

Languages: English, Shona


Adem Kassie Abebe

Programme Officer

Expertise: Elections and constitutional governance, Ethiopia and Africa

Country / Region Focus: Ethiopia and Africa

Languages: Amharic, English


Percy Medina

Head of Mission, Peru

Expertise: Elections, political processes, electoral observation and electoral debates.

Languages: English, German, Spanish


Miguel Orlando Mendes de Brito

Head of Programme, Mozambique

Languages: English, Portuguese


Therese Pearce Laanela

Head of Electoral Processes

Expertise: elections and electoral assistance, electoral systems, and political financing

Languages: English, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish


Seema Shah

Head of Democracy Assessment

Expertise: Global democracy assessment and measurement; electoral integrity; electoral processes, civil liberties Regional expertise: East Africa; South Asia

Languages: English, Gujarati


Annika Silva-Leander

Head of North America Programme

Expertise: Global democracy assessment and measurement; civic space; impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on democracy; governance and development

Country / Region Focus: North America

Languages: English, French, Spanish, Swedish


Adina Trunk

Chief of Staff to the Secretary-General

Expertise: Project management, Communication, Speechwriting, Strategic advice, External relations, Partnership building, Democracy analysis, Political parties, Gender & Women’s political empowerment, Eastern Europe.

Languages: English, French, German, Romanian, Swedish


Kimana Zulueta-Fülscher

Senior Programme Officer

Expertise: Constitution building; state- and peace-building; conflict and security

Languages: English, French, German, Spanish