Against a background of deteriorating informational environments, falling trust in state institutions and growing electoral result disputation, electoral processes and those who administer them are increasingly being placed under the microscope. 

Ensuring that the integrity of elections withstand such scrutiny and that voters remain informed and engaged falls largely to election trainers and educators, and it is their vital work that is the focus of Peer-to-Peer, International IDEA’s new elections podcast series. 

Through interviews with electoral trainers and educators from around the world, the series explores how different election commissions tackle the thorny issues affecting their field. 

How can thousands of temporary poll workers be prepared for election day operations in a short space of time? How can election training be delivered during a pandemic? How can voters be motivated to cast their ballot?

In episode #1 of Peer-to-Peer, Erik Asplund and David Towriss spoke to Maria Pilar Biggio Pastor about her work as the Training and Education Manager in Peru’s National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE). 

Their conversation took place shortly after the conclusion of Peru’s 2021 general elections and Maria shared her insights into how ONPE dealt with the challenges posed by a large temporary work force of over half a million, a linguistically diverse electorate and a high national Covid-19 death rate.     

Hosts: Erik Asplund, Programme Officer in International IDEA's Electoral Processes Programme & David Towriss, Research Assistant at International IDEA

Guest: Maria Pilar Biggio Pastor, Training and Education Manager in Peru’s National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE)

For more information on ONPE and in particular the Information and Electoral Education Unit please see International IDEA case study authored by María del Pilar Biggio Pastor.

For more information on training, education and research in electoral administration in general please visit International IDEA project page.

Gender inequalities and marginalisation of segments of societies remain a persistent challenge in democracy building across all regions of the world. What measures have been taken to promote gender equality in democracy building processes—on political participation and representation (political parties, parliaments, local government councils), constitution building, electoral processes? What are the pros and cons of gender quotas? What is the largest challenge to gender equality globally?

The Communications Intern of International IDEA for the summer of 2021, Violet Marmur, talks to Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu, International IDEA's Senior Advisor for Democracy and Inclusion.

GUESTS: Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu is International IDEA's Senior Advisor for Democracy and Inclusion.

Climate change is the existential issue of our time. How will it affect how democracies function? Are democracies well placed to deal with the long term challenges presented by rising world temperatures? What will be the impact of climate change on regional security and conflict?

HOST: Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA

GUEST:  Andrew Gilmour, Executive Director of the Berghof Foundation

Across the world, women face challenges to participate in politics, from confronting hate speech to internal party obstacles and lack of subsidized maternity leave. What are the best ways to increase women’s participation in elections and within party politics? What has been the influence of the #MeToo movement?  Is it just about increasing the numbers of women in parliament?

Host: Laura Thornton, International IDEA’s Head of Global Programs

Guest: Birgitta Ohlsson, Sweden’s former EU and Democracy Minister and currently head of National Democratic Institute's program for political parties in Washington

Similar to elections and other democratic processes, the global COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on international election observation. In this podcast we discuss the changing nature of international election observation during and beyond the pandemic. Will election observation ever go back to the old normal? How was election observation changing even before the pandemic struck? Is the pandemic changing radically what was done or simply accelerating changes that were already underway?

Host: Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA 

Guests: 

• Gerardo de Icaza, Director of the Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation, Organisation of American States
• Patrick Costello, Head Of Global 3 Division, Democracy and Electoral Observation, European External Action Service

Mark McDowell, International IDEA's Country Director in Myanmar talks to Parvinder Singh, Senior Programme Manager - Elections at International IDEA Myanmar about his experience providing technical advice to the National Election Commission of Liberia during the elections of 2014, in the shadow of the nation's Ebola pandemic. 

 Host: Mark McDowell, International IDEA's Myanmar Country Director

International IDEA’s Director for Asia and the Pacific Leena Rikkila Tamang spoke with lawyer Janet Pang about Hong Kong’s innovative protest methods in times of COVID-19 and about preparations for the September legislative council elections. 

This podcast was recorded on the eve of China’s legislature passing the security law to cover Hong Kong.

Has the coronavirus, aside from having severe consequences for public health and the economy, also been detrimental for democracy? And if so, should we expect passing side effects or permanent damage? 

In this podcast Dr Staffan I. Lindberg, the Director and Principal Investigator for Varieties of Democracy Institute at the University of Gothenburg and Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, the Secretary-General of International IDEA, are discussing, deliberating and debating about the short and long-term effects of the coronavirus on democracy. 

Host: Adina Trunk, Special Adviser to International IDEA's Secretary-General

International IDEA’s Director of Global Programs Laura Thornton talks to Justin Wein, chief of staff of U.S. Congressman David Price about ways in which their office has adapted in the COVID-19 environment. 

How have they conducted outreach, adjusted their communications strategy, managed casework, and participated in legislative activities and committee meetings? 

Host: Laura Thornton, Director of Global Programs at International IDEA