Issues in Colombia

In Colombia, NDI’s Issues DemTool is allowing political candidates to go beyond traditional town hall meetings and media appearances to more widely share their positions on key issues. Through online videos, leaders reach their constituents directly on matters like quality of life, infrastructure and development. In turn, citizens have the opportunity to ask candidates questions specifically about their political platform, such as disability rights, mining projects, legislative transparency, and public health.
Though the Issues DemTool was originally intended for candidates, NDI recently launched the Ciudadanía y Congresistas (Citizen and Legislators) platform in Colombia, which leverages the online video and open question format of the Issues DemTool to bridge the communication gap between between citizens and their already elected members of Congress. By nurturing dialogue and sharing statements via social media, Ciudadanía y Congresistas opens new avenues for transparency and accountability. NDI customized the Issues DemTool to enhance the platform's usability. With a newly redesigned layout and workflow of content, infographics and educational materials that supplement video conversations between legislators and citizens, and the seamless integration of social media platforms like YouTube, the Issues DemTool addresses the specific needs and priorities of NDI’s program in Colombia.