Ford Foundation Working with Visionaries on the Frontlines of Social Change Worldwide

2010 Annual Report

 

Engaging citizens to strengthen democracy

In countries around the globe, citizens are staking their claim to self-determination and driving social change—often with help from new technology.

As recent democratic movements in the Middle East and North Africa have shown with startling clarity, people around the globe share a desire for government that is transparent, responsive and capable of improving the lives of citizens. In many regions, people are not only demanding change from government but forging new roles for themselves in making change a reality. Many are using new tools and technologies to enlarge the definition of the active world citizen—and engage more people in building lasting democracy.

Nigeria Elections 2011 Slideshow

In Nigeria, ReclaimNaija is dedicated to monitoring voting, preventing fraud, and ensuring the electoral process is accountable and accessible to all. Scroll through the below images to see the grassroots organization in action.


A woman holds up her voter card A woman holds up her voter card

Title:
A woman holds up her voter card
Description:
Registered voters received identification cards, which they brought to their polling places on election day to verify their eligibility. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

Volunteers for ReclaimNaija post election information Volunteers for ReclaimNaija post election information

Title:
Volunteers for ReclaimNaija post election information
Description:
A network of grassroots organizations that promotes fair elections, ReclaimNaija trained a corps of volunteers to monitor the voting and relay information directly from polling sites. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

A ReclaimNaija volunteer observes the election process A ReclaimNaija volunteer observes the election process

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A ReclaimNaija volunteer observes the election process
Description:
Coming from many professions and regions, the volunteers shared a desire to see the 2011 national elections go smoothly, free of corruption or intimidation. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

Volunteers for ReclaimNaija speak to voters Volunteers for ReclaimNaija speak to voters

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Volunteers for ReclaimNaija speak to voters
Description:
During the voting, ReclaimNaija volunteers listened to what citizens were saying and reported any questionable activities to the organization’s main office for verification and investigation. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

Election workers confirm voting cards Election workers confirm voting cards

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Election workers confirm voting cards
Description:
Despite problems and delays, the 2011 national elections were widely hailed as the best organized since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

Officials count ballot papers Officials count ballot papers

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Officials count ballot papers
Description:
After parliamentary election voting ended on April 9, volunteers stayed to watch as the ballots were counted, preventing tampering and ensuring accurate results. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

A man uses his phone to document the electoral process A man uses his phone to document the electoral process

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A man uses his phone to document the electoral process
Description:
In the hands of Nigerian citizens, cell phones and other mobile devices played a major role in securing the integrity of the elections. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

People wait patiently to cast their votes People wait patiently to cast their votes

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People wait patiently to cast their votes
Description:
Nigerians came out en masse to vote in the presidential election, the second of three polling days. Parliamentary elections were held on April 9, and elections for state officials were held later in the month. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

Volunteers from ReclaimNaija monitor a polling station Volunteers from ReclaimNaija monitor a polling station

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Volunteers from ReclaimNaija monitor a polling station
Description:
To prepare for the 2011 national elections, ReclaimNaija trained more than 500 volunteers to educate voters and protect their rights. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

A man casts his ballot while others wait to vote A man casts his ballot while others wait to vote

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A man casts his ballot while others wait to vote
Description:
In many parts of Nigeria, voters young and old waited in long lines in the heat and sun. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

A voter places his ballot in the box A voter places his ballot in the box

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A voter places his ballot in the box
Description:
To let voters see that ballot boxes were empty when polling began, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) used collapsible, transparent boxes. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

A woman shows the ink on her thumb A woman shows the ink on her thumb

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A woman shows the ink on her thumb
Description:
These indelible marks guarantee that each person votes at only one polling place. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

A woman holds up her voter card A woman holds up her voter card

Title:
A woman holds up her voter card
Description:
Registered voters received identification cards, which they brought to their polling places on election day to verify their eligibility. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

Volunteers for ReclaimNaija post election information Volunteers for ReclaimNaija post election information

Title:
Volunteers for ReclaimNaija post election information
Description:
A network of grassroots organizations that promotes fair elections, ReclaimNaija trained a corps of volunteers to monitor the voting and relay information directly from polling sites. (Photo by George Osodi/Panos)

During recent national elections in Nigeria, for example, voters used their phones to send thousands of text messages about conditions at polling places around the country, so reports of fraud or violence could be investigated while voting was underway. Social change organizations are also using the Web to build transnational movements. New York-based Purpose, for instance, mobilizes social movements through the Internet. It’s All Out project is putting global momentum behind achieving full equality for LGBT people everywhere. New tools are also expanding the impact of traditional media: a biting political cartoon or a devastating documentary film can reach a far wider audience than was possible a generation ago.

Through our continuing investments in innovative organizations and vibrant networks, we hope to accelerate efforts like these—and ensure that many more people can join in revitalizing the future of democracy.

Learn about our Promoting Transparent, Effective and
Accountable Government initiative »

Visionaries Awards

To mark our 75th anniversary, we are honoring extraordinary leaders working on the frontlines of social change.

Jeremy Heimans is proving that the power of online communities can translate to authentic social change.

The most syndicated political cartoonist in Eastern and Central Africa, Gado creates art that makes a difference.

Explore Visionaries Awards »

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