The East-West Management Institute works to strengthen democratic societies by bringing together government, civil society, and the private sector -- to build accountable, capable and transparent institutions. Founded in 1988, as an independent not-for-profit organization, EWMI's work began the year before the wall came down, with the challenge of crafting functioning democratic systems in transitioning post-soviet societies. We learned -- in our initial work across central and eastern europe, and in the decades that followed around the world - that a collaborative approach involving civil society, government and the private sector is the key to ensuring that citizens exercise their rights, and institutions are accountable for protecting them. This leads to more just and prosperous societies.