Political party development was the focus of NDI programming through 2005. During the period 2003-2005, NDI conducted 10 intensive, two-day seminars for mid-level leaders from the Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Jatiya Party (Ershad). NDI developed the curriculum in conjunction with M. Ataur Rahman, Professor of Political Science at Dhaka University and President of the Bangladesh Political Science Association. Seminars were held in divisional headquarters of Bangladesh as well as the cities of Rangpur, Mymensingh, Comilla and Cox’s Bazaar. The final session, which will be held in Dhaka in the spring of 2006, will bring together mid-level leaders from across Bangladesh. Since its inception in 2003, approximately 535 political party activists have attended these seminars.

Topics covered in the courses include political leadership, poll analysis, the role of political parties in Bangladesh today, how to attract potential voters and supporters, candidate selection, campaigning, managing modern political parties, and youth leadership. Participants also break into small multiparty groups during the course in order to discuss issues such as candidate selection, ethical standards, evaluation and discipline within the parties, financial management and fundraising, constituency outreach, grassroots party development, party registration and identification and analysis of local issues.