u u u u u Further develop and implement the existing extra-budgetary programme on observer training; Encourage States to establish national training programmes for observers; Assist States with the development of training curricula and modules for election observers; Include a focus on relevant linguistic terminology in its own training effort and work with relevant training partners in this regard; Enhance co-operation with the OSCE Training Section and the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. VIII. Develop a stronger capacity on the use of information technology and on the observation of electronic voting For the ODIHR to assert its leading role in the field of election observation, it must also include the emerging area of electronic voting and the use of information technology in its monitoring of elections. While other organizations have been focusing on electronic voting as such, only scattered knowledge exists about how to observe such innovative processes. In order to cope with the challenges posed by the observation of new voting technologies, the ODIHR has developed an extra-budgetary project. Pertinent issues were discussed at the SHDM on Election Procedures and Technologies in 2005, as well as at an expert meeting in October 2006 in Warsaw. As a result of these discussions, the ODIHR will: u Set up an Expert Panel on Observation of Electronic Voting and the Use of Information Technology in Elections; u Make the Panel’s expertise available to participating States, OSCE field operations, and other observer organizations. Experts from the Panel will give advice and mediate, upon request; members will serve in their personal capacities as experts and will not represent any organization or participating State. IX. Enhance linguistic inclusiveness to allow equal and full participation of observers from throughout the OSCE region The ODIHR’s working language is English, just as it is across the OSCE’s institutional structures. As an operational activity of the ODIHR, election observation missions also function in English, although the knowledge and use of relevant local languages is encouraged. As part of a wider skills set necessary to support election activities, linguistic abilities are one of the factors in the selection of professional experts for observer missions. In addition, translators and interpreters are provided wherever they are needed. Responding to some information that participants in the ODIHR’s election-related activities continue to face linguistic challenges, the ODIHR will: u Conduct an impact and needs assessment study among observers across the OSCE region on the provision of training materials, briefing documents, reports, etc., from a linguistic point of view in order to identify existing shortcomings and develop appropriate responses; u Review the work with interpreters in view of improving communication between observers and citizens from host countries, including by compiling a glossary of terms specific to each election; u Continue, and strengthen where necessary, efforts to provide translation of briefings and reports into languages widely used in the area of observation; Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation 53