Prepared for UN Constitutionmaker

This report arises from a 2007 workshop on constitution building processes held by Interpeace, IDEA, and Princeton University. The report considers lessons learned about how to build constitutions that perform well with respect to important outcomes such as settlement of differences, continuing dialogue, and generating accountable government.

This IDEA publication examines how different constitution making bodies (special forums, committees or commissions, and assemblies - appointed and/or elected) have been utilized in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The publication begins with a mapping exercise drawing on cases from three regions and showing what these specialist bodies are, what functions they have, and what their basic rationale is. It continues by looking at the challenges and problems that are associated with the use of these bodies.

This paper from the Civil Society Dialogue Network provides an overview of national dialogue processes, in particular national conferences, intended to expand participation in political transitions beyond the political and military elites.  It considers the tensions inherent in designing these processes and examines the approaches of different countries to preparing and executing the dialogues. 

This decree establishes a presidential constitutional commission to provide proposals for constitutional reform based on broad based pubic consultations.

This paper examines characteristics of constituent assemblies as distinct from other constitution-making mechanisms, and also variation within such assemblies with respect to, for example, composition, functions, and modes of operation. The paper also briefly discusses the aftermath of a constituent assembly, in particular referendums and implementation.

This document is the Presidential Decree No. 002/2011 for the formation of the technical committee to review the interim constitution of Southern Sudan. 

This document is the Presidential Order N0. 02/2012 for the establishment of the Constitutional Review Commission and the appointment of its members. 

This is a comprehensive guide to constitution-making and reform. The book identifies the tasks that need to be carried out, the procedures that can be used, and who can do them. It is intended for a wide audience and to be a guide for anyone who is engaged in a constitution-making process, or who is interested in improving constitution-making practice.

Prepared for UN Constitutionmaker