Albright to assume chairmanship of the National Democratic Institute

From CNN State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In addition to writing a book, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright plans to join the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) after she leaves office later this month, officials announced Thursday.

Madeleine Albright

Albright will assume the role of chairman of the board at the institute.

"We will be fortunate to benefit from Madeleine Albright's leadership as NDI responds to new opportunities and challenges in assisting courageous democrats throughout the world who promote peaceful political change in non-democratic countries and work to consolidate pluralist institutions in new democracies," NDI President Kenneth Wollack said in a press release.

Albright is no stranger to NDI -- having served as vice-chair when the institute was founded in 1983.

As chairman, Albright succeeds Paul Kirk, co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates, chairman of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and former chairman of the Democratic Party.

NDI is a non-profit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. It is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy, the U.S. Agency for International Development and private donations.

For almost twenty years, NDI has worked with proponents of democracy all over the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections and promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.