The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Most Iraqis are moderately upbeat about gradual improvements in security, education, health care and other basic services in their country, but concerns about employment temper the public's optimism, according to recent public opinion research. In addition, sectarian divisions remain a major source of concern and a defining characteristic of Iraqi public opinion.

The research, commissioned by NDI, was designed to help Iraqi political parties develop policy proposals and communications strategies that reflect the needs and interests of their constituencies. The survey, conducted Oct. 25 - Nov. 2 by research firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, was comprised of 2,000 face-to-face interviews and based on 16 focus groups.

Somali citizens are eager for peace and security to prevail in their country. They favor a strong national government based on Islamic law, and they see clan divisions as perpetuating the ongoing conflict. They are also evenly divided on the merits of democracy as a political system.

These findings are detailed in Looking Toward the Future: Citizen Attitudes about Peace, Governance and the Future of Somalia. The report compiles the findings of 38 focus groups with average Somali citizens and 35 one-on-one interviews with traditional and religious leaders conducted in June by NDI.