ODIHR releases e-learning course for short-term election observers

A web-based learning course designed to assist OSCE participating States in training short-term election observers was released by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Vienna on 12 July 2012.

The course consists of four modules that cover all aspects of the work of short-term observers, including OSCE and other international standards related to elections, the principles and purpose of election observation, the structure of election observation missions, the day-to-day activities of the short-term observer and the Code of Conduct for observers.

Participants take a short quiz at the end of each module and receive a certificate after completing the course.

“Since short-term observers form an integral part of ODIHR election observation activities, the course aims to enhance the professionalism of election observers and further improve the quality of election observation,” said Beata Martin-Rozumiłowicz, the Head of ODIHR’s Elections Department. “Moreover, as the course is available to the wider public, it will contribute to greater transparency and understanding of ODIHR’s election observation methodology.”

The course was developed under an extra-budgetary programme made possible by the contributions of OSCE participating States, and is in line with Ministerial Council Decision 19/06 mandating ODIHR to support the national training efforts of the OSCE participating States in the field of election observation.  

The course is available in English and Russian. Since English is the working language of ODIHR election observation missions, the Russian-language course is available primarily for the purpose of familiarization with ODIHR methodology.

Further details about the course and technical information can be found here, and users can log in to the course here.