Interview with Ambra Longatti, EU EEAS Policy Officer
The Press Office of the Global Campus of Human Rights had the opportunity to ask Ambra Longatti about her participation as European External Action Service (EEAS) representative on online course for International Electoral Observers.
Please share with us about your background and your role at the European External Action Service.
I started working with the EU in 2004, first in the European Commission and then at the European External Action Service. My current role is election policy officer within the Division on Democracy and Election Observation.
This Division is the EEAS centre of expertise on democracy and, together with the Commission’s Foreign Policy Instrument, is responsible for the EU’s election missions. Notably, the Division follows the programming and conduct of EU election missions in consultation with the European Parliament and Member States. The Division coordinates political and methodological aspects of EU election missions together with relevant colleagues and institutions. Finally, it promotes the follow-up of election missions’ recommendations in support of the whole electoral cycle.
Since 2012 the Global Campus has trained more than 500 electoral observers through its courses with the support of EEAS. Why the institution you are representing give this kind of patronage?
Election Observation is a very concrete manifestation of the EU’s commitment to democracy, rule of law and human rights worldwide. It contributes to the strengthening of democratic institutions, building public confidence in electoral processes, helping to deter fraud, intimidation and violence. Enhancing the capacity of election observers is one way to increase the quality of our election observation efforts and be better placed to adequately support third countries that ask for our observation. By supporting the Global Campus of Human Rights, the EU aspires not only to reinforce quality education and training in the field of human rights and democracy, but also to encourage vibrant exchanges and research on the current democracy debates.
Could you tell us about your involvement and participation in the Roundtable with the sending authorities which is taking place as part of the programme of the online edition of the IEO course in November 2022?
I was asked to intervene in the final panel where the sending authorities introduce the key features of their election observation and give a broad overview of their recruitment processes. It will provide an opportunity to explain the different types of EU election missions, their timelines and requirements, which also reflect on the respective staffing needs.
Could you give a message to the students, professors, alumni, staff and partners of the Global Campus of Human Rights?
Credible and impartial election observation can help promoting and protecting civil and political rights in a country. We encourage all stakeholders to engage constructively in election observation and support democracy, be it at international or domestic level. Election observers carry out an important mission for the defence and strengthening of human rights and democracy, which are the core values of the European Union.
For more information contact our Press Office
Elisa Aquino –Isotta Esposito– Giulia Ballarin
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