Election Observation Missions - Making Them Count
This conference examined recent history and trends in elections observation around the world, including steps for the future, with experts on elections in Africa, Latin America, and the former Soviet Union in order to develop a practice of effective follow-up on the recommendations of election observation missions.
Overview
You are cordially invited to a conference on recent history and trends in election observation around the world. This public meeting will convene experts on elections in Africa, Latin America, and the former Soviet Union in order to review cases and recommend ways to maximize the effect of electoral observation missions.
Election Observation Missions: Making Them Count
- Hosted by:
- The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
- With the Support of:
- American University
- National Democratic Institute
- Commonwealth Secretariat
- United Nations
- The Fund for Peace
- Democracy International
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Background
International election observer missions have become a critical element in building democracy; their very presence helps ensure that existing rules are followed. In exceptional cases, such as Ukraine, judgments by international election observer missions can lead to a new election. The 1999 Istanbul Summit Document of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) commits signatories to "follow up promptly" upon election assessments and recommendations. More often, however, there is little follow-up to the reports of Election Observation missions.
There is a growing awareness among the recognized, credible organizations involved in Election Observation concerning the need to develop more effective practices to ensure that recommendations by election observer missions be considered seriously, and when appropriate acted upon, following elections. There have been significant cases around the world where the role of observers had a tangible positive effect, most recently in Ukraine, both in the course of the election process and in post-election electoral reform.
Conference Agenda
- 8:15 am Registration
- 8:30 am Welcome
- Howard Wolpe, Woodrow Wilson International Center
- 8:45 am Overview
- Joe Clark, Diplomat-in-Residence, American University
- 9:00 am Panel I: Three Case Studies (Peru, Cameroon, Nigeria)
- Chair: Pauline Baker, The Fund for Peace
- Matt Dippell, National Democratic Institute
- Diana Acha-Morfaw, National Elections Observatory, Cameroon
- Peter Lewis, American University
- 10:15 am Coffee Break
- 10:30 am Panel II: Progress to Date and Issues for the Future
- Chair: Carina Perelli, United Nations Electoral Assistance Unit
- Eric Bjornlund, Democracy International
- Gerald Mitchell, OSCE/ODIHR Elections Department
- Patrick Merloe, National Democratic Institute
- Christopher Child, Commonwealth Secretariat
- Robert Pastor, American University
- 12:30 pm Plenary and Recommendations
- Joe Clark, Diplomat-in-Residence, American University
- 1:15 pm Adjourn
Attendance
Attendance at this event will be free, but RSVP is requested as space may be limited.
This event will be webcast live via this site, beginning at 8:30 AM on Friday, April 29.
- 8:15 am Registration
Hosted By
Africa Program
The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations. Read more
Canada Institute
The mission of the Wilson Center's Canada Institute is to raise the level of knowledge of Canada in the United States, particularly within the Washington, DC policy community. Research projects, initiatives, podcasts, and publications cover contemporary Canada, US-Canadian relations, North American political economy, and Canada's global role as it intersects with US national interests. Read more
Latin America Program
The Wilson Center’s prestigious Latin America Program provides non-partisan expertise to a broad community of decision makers in the United States and Latin America on critical policy issues facing the Hemisphere. The Program provides insightful and actionable research for policymakers, private sector leaders, journalists, and public intellectuals in the United States and Latin America. To bridge the gap between scholarship and policy action, it fosters new inquiry, sponsors high-level public and private meetings among multiple stakeholders, and explores policy options to improve outcomes for citizens throughout the Americas. Drawing on the Wilson Center’s strength as the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum, the Program serves as a trusted source of analysis and a vital point of contact between the worlds of scholarship and action. Read more
Thank you for your interest in this event. Please send any feedback or questions to our Events staff.
