III
(26)
The participating States recognize that vigorous democracy
depends on the existence as an integral part of national life of democratic
values and practices as well as an extensive range of democratic institutions.
They will therefore encourage, facilitate and, where appropriate, support
practical co-operative endeavours and the sharing of information, ideas and
expertise among themselves and by direct contacts and co-operation between
individuals, groups and organizations in areas including the following:
—
constitutional law, reform and development,
—
electoral legislation, administration and observation,
—
establishment and management of courts and legal systems,
—
the development of an impartial and effective public service
where recruitment and advancement are based on a merit system,
—
law enforcement,
—
local government and decentralization,
—
access to information and protection of privacy,
—
developing political parties and their role in pluralistic
societies,
—
free and independent trade unions,
—
co-operative movements,
—
developing other forms of free associations and public interest
groups,
—
journalism, independent media, and intellectual and cultural
life,
—
the teaching of democratic values, institutions and practices in
educational institutions and the fostering of an atmosphere of free enquiry.
Such endeavours may cover the range of co-operation
encompassed in the human dimension of the CSCE, including training,
exchange of information, books and instructional materials, co-operative
programmes and projects, academic and professional exchanges and
conferences, scholarships, research grants, provision of expertise and advice,
business and scientific contacts and programmes.
(27)
The participating States will also facilitate the establishment
and strengthening of independent national institutions in the area of human
rights and the rule of law, which may also serve as focal points for
co-ordination and collaboration between such institutions in the participating
States. They propose that co-operation be encouraged between
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