BRIDGE Partners

The BRIDGE Partners value the contribution of BRIDGE to the successful conduct of elections and appreciate the role BRIDGE plays in enhancing the integrity of democracies around the world. The BRIDGE Partners are therefore committed to protecting and maintaining the high quality of BRIDGE while supporting and encouraging its exponential growth and use for the professional development of electoral administrators.

BRIDGE Partner values and contributions

The BRIDGE Partners all commit to:

  • a spirit of collaboration and cooperation
  • maintaining a strong relationship through regular communication
  • modelling best practice BRIDGE implementation, and
  • integrating the use of the BRIDGE curriculum and its methodology in their organisation.

The BRIDGE Partners also commit to contributing their respective skills, expertise and resources to achieving a BRIDGE Partnership model which:

  • facilitates effective leadership and oversight of BRIDGE
  • advocates adherence to the BRIDGE rules to maintain the quality and standard of BRIDGE
  • efficiently and effectively utilises the resources contributed by each Partner, and
  • protects the reputation of BRIDGE.

Governance

The BRIDGE Partners meet on a bi-monthly basis to discuss the challenges, directions and strategies of BRIDGE, and to make high-level decisions that relate to the strategic direction of BRIDGE.

The BRIDGE Secretariat, which is currently managed by the Australian Electoral Commission on behalf of the Partners, provides ongoing support both to the BRIDGE Partnership and the wider BRIDGE community.

The BRIDGE Secretariat functions include:

  • provide advice on BRIDGE workshops or programs
  • maintain curriculum materials (including translations)
  • maintain a database of BRIDGE facilitators
  • maintain the BRIDGE event calendar on the BRIDGE website
  • manage and maintain the BRIDGE website
  • provide support to BRIDGE facilitators and the wider BRIDGE community.

Learn more about the BRIDGE Partners

Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) – www.aec.gov.au

The AEC maintains an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services and targeted education and public awareness programs.

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) – www.idea.int/

IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to support sustainable democratic change by providing comparative knowledge, assisting in democratic reforms and influencing policies and politics. It aims to strengthen democratic institutions and processes.

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) – www.ifes.org/

IFES is an independent, international non-governmental organization providing professional support to electoral democracy. Through field work, applied research and advocacy IFES promotes citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in political and civil society.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – www.undp.org/

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP works in five main areas: democratic governance, poverty reduction, crisis prevention and recovery, environment and energy, and HIV/AIDS.

United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) www.dppa.un.org/en

The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses on international peace and security through; prevention and mediation, peacebuilding, elections, gender/women – peace and security, support to member states, partnerships and cooperation and emerging issues.