PRESS RELEASE FROM FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (UK GOVERNMENT) NEW OSCE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR DEMOCRACY BUILDING IN KOSOVO

Ms Lesley Abdela takes up the post of Deputy Director for Democratisation for the OSCE Mission in Kosovo on 24 August 1999.

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said:

‘I am delighted that Ms Abdela has agreed to take on this vitally important role. She will be central to the OSCE’s mission to develop democratic institutions, encourage the establishment of a diverse political climate and help build the core of a civil society - a major challenge but one central to the future of Kosovo.’

Ms Abdela said:

‘I am proud to have the opportunity to be part of the OSCE team in this international effort. I have worked on democracy building programmes in over twenty-six countries in the last seven years, many of them in Central and Eastern Europe. I want to apply my experience to the unique situation in Kosovo aiming to build a robust democracy involving women and men from the grassroots upwards so that everyone there feels they have a stake in its success.

‘This means educating people about participatory democracy, enabling the development of a free media, strengthening civil society, helping grow democratic political parties, training future leaders and preparing people for elections. The real work in Kosovo is not ending, it is just beginning.’

Within the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) the OSCE has been assigned the task of leading the work of the international community on democratisation, institution building and human rights.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Lesley Abdela is currently a senior partner in Eyecatcher Associates, a partnership of journalists and consultants advising governments, international organisations, private and public sector employees, and NGOs on developing strategies, policies and plans to build democratic systems and strengthen civil society and free media. She is also Chief Executive of Project Parity, an NGO working in many countries to help build Parity Democracy (the fair representation of all groups in society) in the decision making process of their countries.

2. Ms Abdela is a Board member of the British Council, Vice President of the Electoral Reform Society, and a Patron of Network. She is also a freelance journalist, an author and broadcaster.

3. The Deputy Director for Democratisation for the OSCE Mission in Kosovo is a new post and will be for a period of six months initially. The UK currently contributes fifty-five staff to the OSCE Mission, including thirty two police officers.