The result was the launch of an innovative project, in “There is a great need for increasing the awareness of the significance of politics as part and parcel of a democratic way of life. Just as important, efforts should be made to foster a culture of respect for divergent opinions, which is at the core of democratic interaction.” partnership with Georgia’s Institute for Multi-Party Democracy, that is analysing the current state and needs of Georgia’s political institutions, in particular of its political parties and their representation in parliament. This analysis is being conducted through an interactive assessment by different Georgian actors ODIHR Director Ambassador Christian Strohal (Chair’s conclusions) (think tanks, party members, NGOs, etc.) in which political parties themselves will produce a self-portrait of their organization. In addition to encouraging critical internal thinking about democratic political-party The meeting was a response to an increasing aware- structures and practices, the project will produce a ness among democracy-building experts that democra- comprehensive analysis that future assistance pro- tization efforts are concentrating on the development grammes can rely upon. This project will run till the of democratic institutions while neglecting the funda- end of 2005. mental democratic process that binds these institutions together. Participants focused on issues such as the complexities of democratic and political frameworks, 2. Civic diplomacy democratic legislative practices, open public administration, and effective civic participation. In post-conflict situations where there are no official ties between the disputing sides, civic groups and NGOs A number of the recommendations made at the meet- can provide an important opportunity for building ing will influence the ODIHR’s work in this area in the bridges. By avoiding confrontational nationalistic and years to come: political agendas, relations can be established in fields of common interest where strong local support can be
Increasingly involving political parties both as bene- found on both sides of the divide. While initially con- ficiaries of, and stakeholders in, democratization- centrating on specific issues such as family reunification, assistance programmes; environment, education, and children, the objective is
Developing an inventory of standards related to to gradually broaden the platform to include more ac- structures, procedures, and practices of democratic tors such as the media and authorities. This increases parliaments, with an emphasis on legislative trans- the direct flow of information, promotes understand- parency; and ing for the "other's" point of view, and contributes to a good-neighbourly climate. The non-biased and authen-
Strengthening the capacity of local actors to have a tic motivation of common interests makes it harder for voice in their country’s institutions, as well as to anyone to turn away from the negotiating table. monitor the democratic performance of those institutions. The ODIHR has supported civil society in the reconciliation process in a number of post-conflict situations in Assessing political institutions in Georgia recent years. In relation to the Abkhaz-Georgian con- Following closely on recommendations from the flict, for example, the Office completed a project that it Human Dimension Seminar, the ODIHR carried out a began in 2003 to provide support to the Association of preliminary assessment on how to best assist political Abkhaz-Georgian Mixed Families (AGMF) in its at- parties in Georgia in strengthening their democratic tempts to keep members of some 4,000 families on op- structures and practices one year after the so-called posite sides of this conflict in touch with one another. Rose Revolution. The AGMF is now in a position to organize safe travel between Abkhazia and Georgia for its members; it 28