BRIDGE curriculum

The BRIDGE curriculum concentrates on the principles underlying properly run elections, while drawing examples of different practical approaches from many different countries. It does not seek to prescribe any one model for implementing those principles, but rather encourages participants to learn from the diverse examples presented.

It has been developed by electoral administrators with wide experience of elections in many different countries and contexts, working in cooperation with electoral trainers with extensive expertise in the application of adult learning principles.

Design

In some modules the aim is to develop skills in areas that are important in an electoral administrator’s day-to-day work, with an emphasis on understanding the relationships between tasks in order to meet tight deadlines effectively. In other modules, exploring structural, ethical or social issues is the main focus.

Each module includes examples of activities, literature, case studies, election material, websites and audio visual aids as workshop resources. It provides access to and draws from resources such as the International IDEA handbooks, UNDP manuals and the ACE Project. It also offers access to networks including regional and global electoral networks and the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network.

Structure

The BRIDGE curriculum contains 17 modules that provide a sound introduction to all aspects of electoral administration. The three Foundation modules which emphasise the ethical, organisational and planning dimensions that underpin a professional approach to electoral administration. The other 14 modules are divided into three thematic groups:

• Architecture contains the modules that provide the structure on which any electoral process rests.
• Administration focus on critical aspects of electoral operations and are particularly effective as professional development tools for electoral administrators. They may also be conducted for stakeholder groups to foster a better understanding of electoral operations.
• Participation focuses on groups and the important role each plays in a robust and credible electoral environment. These modules are designed to serve a dual function; both empowering key stakeholders to understand, engage in and improve electoral processes and promoting understanding among EMBs of stakeholder needs. A workshop with a mixed stakeholder/electoral administrator composition of participants can be designed to serve as a forum for constructive dialogue between the different groups.