mocracy. It encourages regional and cross-regional organizations and arrangements to initiate partnerships to assist in disseminating knowledge about the role of democratic institutions and mechanisms “in facing the political, economic, social and cultural challenges in their respective societies”.120 The ODIHR stands ready to actively engage in this partnership with its focus on the OSCE region, and maintains, in this context, close relations with relevant UN partners in Geneva and elsewhere. 222. In the field of migration management and border services, the ODIHR has a long history of fruitful co-operation with the International Organization for Migration, both with its Technical Co-operation Centre and with IOM field offices in the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The ODIHR also co-operates with a number of other organizations, not least with the European Union and its various bodies and institutions. The European Commission has, for instance, adopted the ODIHR’s methodology for its election observation missions.121 The Commission is also a significant contributor to a variety of ODIHR assistance projects in transition countries. The European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination are primary partners of the ODIHR within its Tolerance and Non-discrimination Programme. This programme has also supported the OSCE Secretary General in contributing to the Alliance of Civilizations initiative. With respect to electoral issues, the ODIHR is in contact with the Commonwealth of Independent States. 223. The ODIHR has been called upon to contribute to co-operation with Mediterranean and Asian partners. This relates mainly to providing expertise beyond our area, liaising with related partners in those countries, and promoting knowledge about, and visibility of, the OSCE and its standards through seminars or conferences. The ODIHR is considering enhancing existing co-operation with partners during election observation missions.122 This has already been tested in practice and could be developed further. It has been suggested that activities in partner States could include organizing briefings, workshops, and presentations by OSCE institutions on the main fields of activities of the Organization, including human rights and democratic institutions.123 The ODIHR, however, has to consider serious resource constraints (time, financial, and human resources) and would preferably develop a framework and well-planned objectives and methodology for such involvement beyond the OSCE region. 224. It is also time for the OSCE, in particular within the human dimension, to reach out more proactively to the wider global network of organizations and initiatives seeking to promote democracy and human rights around the globe. On a global level, both the International Conference of New and Restored Democracies, under the aegis of the United Nations, and the Community of Democracies are arrangements that could benefit from the relevant experiences of the OSCE. 120  UN Commission on Human Rights, 55th Meeting, Resolution 2004/30, 19 April 2004. 121  See para. 106 of this report. 122  See the recommendations concerning future applications for partnership, PC.DEC/430, 19 July 2001, as well as Chapter III. J(12) of this report. 123  In 2003, the Permanent Council (PC.DEC/571) decided to explore new avenues of co-operation and interaction with its Partners for Co-operation and to explore the scope for wider sharing of OSCE principles and commitments. Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation 73