TNAG-2321-FCO40-3365-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 203

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CSCE/SEDIO.3

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States to make use of their extensive resources and

expertise;

it could facilitate co-operation in training and education in disciplines relevant to democratic institutions;

it could organize meetings and seminars on subjects related

to the building and revitalization of democratic institutions, at the request of participating States.

The point was made by many participants that an office of democratic institutions should work closely with other

institutions active in the field of democratic

institution-building in order to avoid duplication of work. In this connection, certain experts underlined the relevant character of the role of the Council of Europe in the areas of the rule of law and the defence of human rights and the importance of taking account of its work, experience and extensive resources, particularly in the provision of expertise on democratic institutions, in the arrangement of seminars and programmes on democratic practice, and as a source of information about activities, resources and needs in participating States, as well as that of the European Commission for Democracy through Law.

Effective liaison between a CSCE office of democratic institutions

and these institutions should be ensured.

It was suggested that the establishment of national centres

for democratic institutions could facilitate the further

strengthening of such democracy, especially in countries carrying out radical democratic reforms. Such national centres might

maintain links to a CSCE office of democratic institutions.

IV

In the course of the Seminar a number of practical proposals for future co-operation with a view to strengthening democratic institutions were made. The hope was expressed that these could become the object of follow-up action in a bilateral or multilateral context, as appropriate.

In this connection,