Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

The seminar gathered OSCE member country official representatives, NGOs and media to discuss several dimensions of the role of political parties in the political process. Wide attention has been paid to the topic of OSCE commitments related to political parties as well as political parties supporting and advancing the full and equal participation of women and men in the political process was one of the central issues debated at the seminar. One of four workshops organized throughout the seminar discussed the question of political pluralism and basic human rights protection reflection in the regulation of political parties. Working group on E-democracy ? another tool to increase and deepen citizen participation and representation in democracy and its processes by advancing use of electronic tools and applications brought positive experience from number of countries.

Human Dimension Seminar framework provided with the opportunity to present work related to political party development assistance, e-government and women participation from the perspective of different development organizations. NIMD, first co-organized the event in partnership with European Partnership for Democracy and DEMO Finland, devoted to cross-party approach to political party development. DEMO Finland presented cross-party approach as a tool to promote dialogue and mutual learning on different forms of democracy, and the problems and possibilities. EPD executive director gave a thorough look at EPD projects that are multilayered and based on flexible responses to be efficient and adaptable to the needs and demands of partners in the selected countries.

The event focused on the topics related to fragile democracies, the Arab spring, state of democracy in the MENA region and democracy assistance programs designed to address current challenges there. Levan Tsutskiridze of NIMD contributed to the discussion by providing the analysis of ongoing events in the region through the Georgian perspective, which experienced the peaceful revolution itself in 2003.

The second event organized by the NIMD discussed institutional development of political parties in young democracies: NIMD experience in Georgia. The presentation gathered representatives of various development organizations (International IDEA, DEMO Finland, USAID Ukraine), representatives OSCE member states and OSCE chairmanship Lithuania. Levan Tsutskiridze, NIMD representative in Georgia gave an introduction on rationale behind the NIMD?s effort to support institutional development of 7 political parties in Georgia. He emphasized on the importance of designing party tailored, demand driven programmes with regard to political party development. Furthermore, he presented lessons learned from the almost a year long process and major areas of NIMD support after the completion of the programme.

NIMD has invited three representatives of its partner political parties to the event: ruling party ? United National Movement represented by Mr. Pavle Kublashvili, Levan Vepkhvadze of Chtistian Democratic Movement from parliamentary opposition and David Gamkrelidze New Rights Chairman from non-parliamentary opposition.

Political party representatives addressed audience and outlined major challenges of political parties in Georgia stressing on the reality where opposition political parties face difficulties in acquiring financial resources, experience poor access to media and weak electoral system. Amongst other remarks, opposition party leaders criticized the ruling party over the use of administrative resources during the elections.

NIMD partner political party representatives emphasized on the importance of interparty dialogue and strategic planning for political parties publicly.

David Gamkrelidze of New Rights said his party has chosen non-revolutionary path and now in the group of Eight opposition political parties strives to achieve positive changes in the electoral code.

Levan Vepkhvadze, Vice Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia noted with regret that current legislative framework is discouraging women participation in political process. However, Christian Democrats attempt to involve more women in their party lists.

Ghia Nodia of CIPDD contributed to the discussion by bringing non-party view point on political developments in the country. Helen Rusetskaya from Women Information Centre ? Georgia stressed the fact that women are under presented in political parties in Georgia. Other participating organizations and OSCE member state representatives also engaged the debate offering their experiences and approaches to political party development support. ODIHR Human Dimension Seminar provided a venue for a very useful experience sharing between the major actors in the field of democratic development across the OSCE area. NIMD and its partner political party representatives contributed actively to the success of the forum by offering their insights and experiences. The two side events which NIDM organized provided an opportunity to offer NIMD perspectives on the important matters discussed throughout the seminar. NIMD was able to share its views on the important, vital role that political parties play in the democratic processes and how best to support their development and improvement.