Regional training for Short-Term Elections Observers (Belgrade, 22-23 November 2003)



This training will give Roma individuals the skills to work as short-term
election observers (STOs) or as domestic observers. The training will take
place in Belgrade, 22-23 November 2003. The costs for the training
(accommodation, travel and meals) will be provided by ODHIR/CPRSI as well
as the costs of the observation missions.

Application Deadline is 10th October 2003
See forwarded message below.

Regards UNITED



***fwd***

ORIGINAL SENDER:   CRISS.Stability <criss.stability@dnt.ro>

Dear colleagues,

The ODIHR CPRSI is pleased to announce the launch of a "Regional training
for Short-Term Elections Observers".

The training is part of a two-year (2003-2005) programme carried out by
the ODIHR CPRSI and funded by the European Commission, focusing on the
electoral participation of Roma and related groups, "Roma, use your ballot
wisely!". The project is a follow up for the previous EC-ODIHR- CoE
project "Roma and Stability Pact in SEE (2001-2003).

Description of the training

The training will give Roma individuals the skills to work as short-term
election observers (STOs) or as domestic observers. People with such
skills are needed during elections by the ODIHR and by national electoral
agencies. Trainees may include Roma with previous experience as STOs.

The participants should be familiar with the OSCE election-related mandate
and commitments and trained about the electoral process in different
countries in the region.

During the training there will be given information to the participants
about procedures of election observations as well as procedure to monitor
the participation of Roma in election and voting.

Objectives of the training
- To train 12 Roma short-term observers
- To develop a core of Roma professionals able to fill a recurring
role within intergovernmental and national agencies as monitors of
democratic processes
- To incorporate Roma directly in the process of assessing Roma's
political integration.

The trainees will be given tools on how to collect information on the
electoral behaviour of Romani individuals, groups and communities, as well
as problematic issue regarding the participation of Romani populations in
the elections.

Topics:
The role of election observation
Role and conduct of observers
Observing the voting process
Observing the counting processes
Instructions and guidelines
Electoral behaviour of Romani individuals, groups and communities
Problematic issue regarding the participation of Romani populations
in the elections

Working languages will be English and Romani and participants must speak
at least one of these languages fluently. To work for the ODIHR as a STO,
English is required.

After the training the project will second some of the trainees to OSCE
election observation missions as short-term observers, or eventually as
consultants or focal points on Roma. Completion of this training, however,
does not assure future employment of any kind. The training assures a job
skill rather than a job.

It is expected that once there is a pool of trained Romani persons
available, the OSCE participating States will include them in their
election observation delegations, as the OSCE participating States
normally second short-term observers in the ODIHR Election observation
missions.

Target group

The trainees will be mainly Roma, Ashkali or Egyptian activists, men and
women, who already have being seconded as STOs by the CPRSI during the
last two years.

Selection criteria of participants:

Experience of election administration/observation and/or public
administration and/or civil society organizations.
English and, ideally, Romani language proficiency.
Excellent health.
Willingness to work long hours in conditions which are sometimes difficult.
Ability to work in a team and deal with difficult situations in a
positive manner.
Geographical area

Trainees may come from any OSCE participating country. However,
applicants from the following countries are most highly encouraged to
apply:
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Union of Serbia and Montenegro
Croatia
Moldova
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Full application information is composed by:
1) Curriculum vitae;
2) At least one recommendation from person(s) familiar with the
candidate's work;

Where and when will take place the training?
Belgrade, 22-23 November 2003

Follow-up of the training

After the training the Romani STOs who will be supported to participate in
the EOMs by the project will perform the duties of the regular STOs but
will focus mainly on Romani population behaviour during the election,
attitude of media towards Roma, Roma candidates behaviour, etc.

Application Deadline is 10th October 2003

Who makes the selection and how?

The management team of the project together with ODIHR representatives,
based on an evaluation form for each applicant will make the selection.
The evaluation form will follow the selection criteria as well as the
evaluation of the CVs and relevance of the recommendation letters.

A letter of information will be send to the selected applicants.

Funding

The costs for the training (accommodation, travel and meals) will be
provided by ODHIR/CPRSI as well as the costs of the observation missions.


For further information and application please contact:
Zeljko Jovanovic
Manager of "Roma, use your ballot wisely!" project
Tel/fax: +381 63 228 370
E-mail: zeljkojovanovic1979@yahoo.com

Margareta Matache
Assistant of "Roma, use your ballot wisely!" project
Tel: + 40 74 092 11 34
Fax: + 40 21 23141 44
E-mail: mmatache@hotmail.com



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