Democratization S trengthening democratic institutions and processes is a key objective of most, if not all, ODIHR activities. More specifically, the ODIHR has developed democratization assistance that focuses on longer-term programmes rather than short-term projects. This assistance is based on an identification methodology that includes a needs assessment prior to undertaking activities. This ensures that the best use is made of the Organization’s financial, human, and time resources. In 2006, the ODIHR continued to inform its democratization work by conducting regular consultations with international experts in the field, as well as by regularly discussing lessons learned from democratization work with OSCE field operations in South-Eastern Europe, where the OSCE’s democratization programming is the most advanced. Regular co-ordination meetings with these field operations ensure an appropriate focus for the ODIHR’s assistance and support. A number of lessons have emerged from these consultations that serve as principles to be used in democratization work (see box on pp. 22-23). Democratization Assistance In assisting participating States with institution-building, the ODIHR’s aim is to help governments become more responsive, responsible, and representative. k Responsiveness means that governments are able to react to the demands and needs of society at large, are open to effective interaction with civil society and various interest groups, and are able to take a variety of views and interests into consideration in the policy- and lawmaking processes. In this respect, transparency in the work of governments is critical to making them responsive. To assist governments in enhancing their responsiveness, the ODIHR supports improving legislative processes to ensure that relevant stakeholders, including civil society, play a part in debating and commenting on draft legislation, so that it reflects public needs. In addition, the ODIHR is prepared to lend assistance to political parties in their attempt to be more responsive to their membership and to help build cooperative relationships between governments and civil society, enabling non-governmental organizations to become a trusted and reliable source of advice, thereby enhancing the responsiveness of governments. k Responsibility means that governments can be held accountable by their own societies. While this is most visible at the time of elections, a democratically governed country has permanent features. Responsible governments govern in accordance with the rule of law, where laws are open, well-known, and apply equally to all. Procedures should ensure that political minorities can contribute effectively to an inclusive law-making process and that a culture of boycotts and non-participation is avoided. k Representativeness means that, while governments are responsive to public needs, they also represent distinct political interests, values, ideas, and programmes, not only during election periods, but also between elections. Representative governments work on institutionalizing political life and public political participation through legitimate institutions such as political parties, thus simplifying and clarifying political choices faced by individual citizens. In its work on the participation of women in democratic processes, for example, the ODIHR encourages politicians to incorporate the concerns of women into their pre-election agenda and also to implement this agenda once voted into office rather than abandoning it in favour of more popular or parochial issues. Similarly, Annual Report  21