International Electoral Assistance Strengthening electoral processes strengthened democracy

Contents • Electoral assistance : development assistance • • Evolution Lessons learnt Challenges Next

Electoral assistance = Development assistance • Electoral assistance is almost always development focused and

Evolution of assistance • Initially addressed knowledge gap • Was often perceived as short

Lessons learnt • Need to ground assistance in context • Support event as part

Challenges • First generation: Knowledge gap – How to ensure lessons and best practices

Next generation issues • What is the third generation gap that international assistance will

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International Electoral Assistance Strengthening electoral processes, strengthened democracy

Contents • Electoral assistance : development assistance • • Evolution Lessons learnt Challenges Next generation issues

Electoral assistance = Development assistance • Electoral assistance is almost always development focused and uses development funds • Development funds are limited; electoral process competes with other sectors for funding • Is based on assessments of context and needs • Designed to achieve specific development results

Evolution of assistance • Initially addressed knowledge gap • Was often perceived as short term and event focused • Now more than 20 years of lessons – How-to’s and standards for elections are known – Best practices for electoral assistance also known • Yet still have issues related to effectiveness of assistance and credibility of processes assisted

Lessons learnt • Need to ground assistance in context • Support event as part of larger electoral and democratic processes • Target root causes and not just symptoms • Harmonize efforts • Build institutions, systems, and capacity; find sustainable solutions • Ensure agreement on purpose, intended outcomes and approach

Challenges • First generation: Knowledge gap – How to ensure lessons and best practices are applied so assistance is effective • Second generation: Credibility gap – How to ensure root causes are addressed and needed reforms are done to strengthen the credibility of the processes assisted • Third generation: ? – How to position assistance to address the next generation gap

Next generation issues • What is the third generation gap that international assistance will need to address? • What will international assistance look like in ten years? • Will assistance continue to be from international agencies or will it be more regional or EMB-EMB in nature? • What should we do today to best position international assistance for the future?

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