APPENDIX 29
Memorandum submitted by Ms Alexandra Jones,
Chief Executive, Westminster Foundation for Democracy
THE KOSOVO PROJECT
WFD MISSION
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD)
was established in 1992 with a mandate to provide assistance in
building and strengthening pluralist democratic institutions overseas.
WFD is an independent democracy building foundation which receives
grant-in-aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It promotes
democratic development through support to various sectors including
party-to-party and cross-party work, parliamentary institutions,
women's political and civic involvement, human rights groups and
independent media. WFD projects make a direct contribution to
democratisation, human rights and better governance.
WFD PROGRAMME IN
KOSOVO
Last year, WFD moved swiftly to address the
issues arising from the Kosovo conflict. In May 1999, the Board
decided to send a WFD team to refugee camps in Macedonia and Albania
to explore the possibilities of reviving the work of civic groups
in preparation for the refugees' return to Kosovo. In the event,
two scoping visits took place over the summer, after the arrival
of KFOR in Kosovo. The purpose was to identify projects that would
address the issues of democratic development and ethnic reconciliation.
As a result, WFD designed a programme of assistance to political
parties, civic groups and the media. As our own resources were
limited, we submitted the project proposal to the Foreign Office
with the request for extra-budgetary funding.
The overall objective of the project is to support
the growth of democratic institutions and processes and ensure
the practice of value based politics in Kosovo. This will contribute
to the international efforts aimed at creating stability and peaceful
co-existence. The programme will target politicians, activists,
women, representatives of rural communities and youth.
WFD PROJECT ACTIVITY
WFD has begun work on the implementation of
two projects in Kosovo.
(1) Support for political parties
This is a cross-party project consisting of
six training seminars and the provision of some basic office equipment.
The training will focus on party building including organisation
and structure, policy programme and communication with the electorate.
It will also include a broader based-training in democratic principles,
law and order, civic values, the concept of rights and responsibilities,
and political negotiation. The first event is scheduled for mid-February
in Pristina, and will involve party managers and activists from
the Kosovo Democratic Progress Party (PPDK) and the Democratic
League of Kosovo (LDK).
(2) Support for Young People's Political and
Civic Initiatives
WFD has identified two youth organisations whose
purpose is to actively promote liberal thinking, tolerance and
respect for human rights. WFD will support their programme of
workshops/debates on human rights, young people's political and
civic participation, and peace and security issues. The programme
is scheduled to commence in February 2000.
FUTURE PLANS
WFD has designed a training programme in the
UK for 12 journalists from Kosovo. The emphasis will be on political
reporting and election coverage. The key objective will be to
give the media the skills and confidence in dealing with the politicians.
There is a need for incisive and balanced coverage of political
issues that will help the voters to make informed choices.
WFD has also proposed a close collaboration
with the Kosovo Association for Civic Initiatives (KACI), a local
NGO, whose role would be to broaden the participation in WFD-organised
programmes by bringing in young professionals, civic activists,
local leaders, non-party figures, women and journalists.
WFD has envisaged further project activity to
provide exposure to Kosovan delegates to democratic institutions
in the UK, including visits to Scottish Parliament and the Welsh
Assembly. Other tailor-made courses are planned in areas of special
interest, women's participation in politics and possible links
with parties in Britain.
COMMITMENT
WFD does not underestimate the difficulties
involved in trying to advance political processes in Kosovo. The
absence of visible progress in the aftermath of the conflict underlines
the need for political and civic training and exposure to democratic
practices. WFD recognises that peace-building is a long-term process
and projects in support of this will be designed to address the
ongoing and gradual movement towards civic reconstruction. We
are building on our experience in other countries with similar
problems, not least on our extensive work in Bosnia. In addition,
we are strengthening our programme of support to the political
opposition and civic movement in Serbia, and the process of political
and legal reform in Montenegro.
Jadranka Porter
Senior Project Manager
27 January 2000
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