OSCE-Mediterranean Partner Countries’ Civil Society Conference
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The Lithuanian Chairmanship-in-Office and the OSCE/ODIHR organized a joint OSCE-Mediterranean Partner Countries’ Conference for Civil Society in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 4-5 December, entitled Transparency and Pluralism in Electoral Good Practice, Political Participation, Justice and Legal Reform.
The Conference brought together more than 80 civil society representatives from the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation and a number of OSCE participating States, to discuss the challenges of democratic transition, learn about OSCE tools and commitments, share good practices and build partnerships and networks.
The event builds on the OSCE’s mandate and experience of encouraging international co-operation among civil society, to encourage new links and partnerships between civil society in OSCE states and in the Mediterranean partner States, at a time of rapid change and transition in this region.
The conference aims to promote the exchange of good practices and experiences through three parallel working sessions on the topics of:
- Electoral Good Practice
- Political Participation (including Gender)
- Justice and Legal Reform.
Throughout the conference, civil society participants from both the OSCE participating States and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation explored the OSCE’s approach to the human dimension: its commitments, institutions, programmes and tools. Building on this, the participants were able to establish contacts, build up networks of expertise and develop recommendations for the Ministerial Council to consider.
In addition, a Special Side Event on Tolerance and non-discrimination in democratic transitions, explored the challenge of countering increased intolerance and discrimination during moments of political and social transformation.