International Electoral Observers

Venue: Monastery of San Nicolò, Venice Lido (Italy)
Dates: I module: 20-22 March 2017 
           II module: 23-25 March 2017
Deadline for registration: 22 January 2017
Deadline early bird enrolment:  12 February 2017
Training Responsible: Demetrio Lazagna
Project Manager: Alberta Rocca

International election observation plays an important role in international relations since almost thirty years. The Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation adopted by the UN in 2005 is one of the first attempts of the international Community to set up standard rules recognized at international level. The European Union is strongly committed to contribute to all democratic processes around the world through various activities which include the electoral observation. The adoption of EU guidelines on preconditions for EU observation missions and a code of conduct for EU electoral observers represented an important step towards enhanced co-ordination and serve as a basis for all electoral observers.
EIUC has developed two three-day modules aiming at providing training to civilian staff in election observation missions at the first steps of their career (i.e. short term observers). Selected applicants will be allowed to become aware of the role, the tasks and the status of international observers, and will be given a theoretical and practical training on election observation and election observation missions functioning.

The aim of the course is to deepen the theoretical and practical expertise on election observation missions, in providing participants with practical skills which will be an asset in case of further applications as international observers. The course will introduce the students to election observation starting with introductory remarks followed by lectures in plenum on the history of electoral observation, international legal standards, observation methodology and missions functioning.

Work groups, case studies and simulations will actively engage the participants who will look closely into all different steps of an electoral observation mission, from the exploratory phase to selection procedures through its internal functioning, the relations with national authorities, including the electoral management bodies, the local stakeholders and the political actors involved into the electoral cycle and security issues. At the end of each day, participants will be called to participate to a brainstorming debate with lecturers and share their experience and expertise in the subject.

The first module will highlight the quantitative observation of the STOs. Starting with a thorough introduction on the international observation theory and legal standards the first module will analyse the practical life of a short term observer from the selection procedure to the end of mission including the observation of the polls, the filling of the forms, the reporting system and the code of the conduct. The methodology will combine frontal lecturers in plenary, working groups as well as role plays, discussions and simulation exercises.

The second module is principally intended as a complementary step for those participants who have already attended the first module or the 2012 edition of EIUC training for international observers. EIUC will nevertheless also accept candidatures from first time applicants to EIUC’s trainings seminars. The second module will introduce the participants to the long-term election observation by analysing in depth some of the aspects related to an international observation mission such as working relations, interviewing techniques, media and security.

Target: The two modules are devoted to those applicants with no experience in election observation or to those observers who have participated to a maximum of two missions as short term observers.

Eligibility: Lectures are conceived for an audience of graduates mainly in Law, Political Sciences, Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology or similar who want to address international election observation from a multi-disciplinary approach that will be useful in further engagements on the field.

Training language: all courses will be held in English. It is, therefore, essential that all participants understand and speak English fluently.

EIUC will review applications on an on-going basis. This way, EIUC aims to give participants as much time as possible for the organisation of visa, travelling and accommodation (see also: Practical Information).

Please visit this website for more information about visa requirements.

All participants attending the training will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the course.

*Please note that participation to the training seminar does not guarantee direct access to any recruiting procedure undertaken by international, national or regional entity.

European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC)

Monastery of San Nicolò
Riviera San Nicolò 26
30126 Venice – Lido
Italy

Website: www.eiuc.org/ieo
Email: training.ieo@eiuc.org
Telephone: +39 041 2720 930
Fax: +39 041 2720 914