[lemma=the | tag=IN | □=□] □
[lemma=the | tag=IN | word=□] □
[lemma=the | tag=IN | lemma=□] □
The Institute 's program is focused on strengthening the capacity of women activists and other disenfranchised groups , such as youth , to improve their abilities to participate in and positively engage in the decision-making processes . Since then , IYC has opened 10 regional offices and begun a wide range of grassroots programs , including town hall meetings and civic education seminars on constitutional rights and responsibilities . A meeting with Mauritanian refugees in Dakar was particularly meaningful to participants and received wide media coverage both in Senegal and Mauritania . Over 300 women from diverse backgrounds were trained by NDI in campaign management , public speaking , issues development , outreach , fund raising and media skills in preparation for local government elections . " Over 300 high-level civil servants and ministry staff attended the training , which was led by a United Nations public service officer , an American state ethics board director , and the director of the Center for African Administrative Development . During 2005-2006 , NDI conducted 154 focus groups and over 300 hours of in-depth discussion with more than 1,200 Iraqis . NDI selects an average of two participants per party , emphasizing a balance in internal party movements , gender , ideologies and key geographical regions .