The International School of Electoral Experts will convene in Moscow from November 27 to 29 at MGIMO University, a premier institution under Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sixty early-career professionals from fifty countries will take part, reflecting a global cohort united by a shared interest in election integrity and international observation practices.
Over three days, international participants will explore the theory underpinning election observation, acquire practical competencies in monitoring electoral processes, and examine Russian election standards to compare approaches across diverse governance contexts.
According to Leonid Slutsky, chair of the International Relations Committee, the initiative introduces a novel format aimed at fostering an independent, internationally oriented monitoring framework free from political bias. The program seeks to nurture a generation of observers who can contribute to credible, multipolar perspectives on elections worldwide.
“It is young professionals who are shaping new standards and mechanisms in the political and electoral arenas to reflect the realities of a multipolar world and to consider the national interests of different states,” he noted.
At the opening, Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, underscored information as a vital resource. She highlighted that participants will have access to insights from globally recognized experts, presenting a pathway to sharpen professional skills and advance career goals. The three-day program is designed to provide substantial knowledge that can inform participants’ future projects and development trajectories.
Additionally, Ilya Chechelnitsky, the first deputy head of the working apparatus of the Russian Ombudsman for Human Rights, conveyed a message from Tatyana Moskalkova, the Ombudsman, emphasizing Russia’s capable team and the demand for independent international observers who can uphold new election standards.
Areg Agasaryan, First Deputy Director of the International Youth Center at the People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), stressed that international cooperation in electoral processes is crucial in today’s multipolar landscape. He noted that independent international communities of election experts will play a pivotal role in future monitoring efforts by providing objective, globally informed oversight.
The event is organized by the International Youth Center at RUDN University in collaboration with Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Partners include the Russian Public Electoral Law Institute and the ANO Center for International Interaction and Cooperation, which support the program’s aims to broaden international participation and exchange best practices in election oversight.