European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC), Venice Lido (Italy)
Training for International Electoral Observers
Module I: 23-25 November 2015
Module II: 26-28 November 2015
Deadline for application: 30 October 2015 

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.
Programme
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.

Detailed information on fees, lecturers and how to apply can be found here.