2016•07•07     Kiev

Prof. Tomasz Janowski, the Head of UNU-EGOV, attended the 4th Political Party Expert Workshop organized by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Kiev, Ukraine from 6 to 7 July 2016.

ODIHR provides support, assistance and expertise to OSCE participating States – 57 countries in North America, Europe and Asia with more than a billion people – and civil society to promote democracy, rule of law, human rights and tolerance and non-discrimination. ODIHR observes elections, reviews legislations and advises governments on how to develop and sustain democratic institutions.

Attended by over 100 participants from Bulgaria, Finland, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Sweden, UK, Ukraine and USA, the workshop discussed international practices in the field of political party regulations, looking also at the efforts done by Ukrainian institutions – 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine, to strengthen their political party system and the effectiveness of monitoring political party financing. The workshop included sessions on: Political Parties and Elections; Political Party Financing; Political Parties and Inclusiveness; Political Parties, Youth Political Participation and New Technologies; and Political Parties at the Local Level.

Tomasz Janowski presented about “Digital Technology, Digital Media and the Regulation of Political Parties” as part of the session on Political Parties, Youth Political Participation and New Technologies. The presentation addressed three main questions: 1) what opportunities and risks exist for political parties from the adoption of digital media and digital technologies; 2) is there a progression with digital media and digital technology adoption by political party organizations, similar to the Digital Government evolution for government organizations; and 3) should the digital opportunities, risks and progression be legislated and how. The presentation was based on the paper with the same title, prepared under a contract from ODIHR, and co-authored by Tomasz Janowski, Elsa Estevez and Mariana Lameiras.

Tomasz Janowski presenting about “Digital Technology, Digital Media and the Regulation of Political Parties” at the 4th OSCE/ODIHR Political Party Expert Workshop in Kiev, Ukraine from 6 to 7 July 2016.