European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC)
Training seminar for short-term International Electoral Observers (IEO)
November 2013, Monastery of San Nicolò, Venice Lido (Italy)
Deadline for application: 15 October 2013

The European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) is an interdisciplinary centre of excellence formed by 41 universities from all European Union Member States.

The 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.
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.

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.

Modules
The first module (28-30 November 2013) 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 (2-4 December 2013) is principally intended as a complementary step for those participants who have 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, team-building, interviewing techniques and coordination of the STOs.

Fees
The enrolment fee for each module amounts to €450,00 with no accommodation or €580,00 with accommodation for 3 nights.

The enrolment fee for both modules amounts to €750,00 with no accommodation or €900,00 with accommodation for 7 nights.   

Application
For more information and application, visit the EIUC website.

For further enquiries please contact EIUC at training.ieo@eiuc.org.

Deadline for application: 15 October 2013