Political Scientists from Libya Studied Russian Public Administration and Electoral Practices with the Support of the CND

Seven Libyan specialists took part in the international seminar “Legal Foundations for Organizing Elections: National Experience and International Approaches.” Over the course of ten days, they studied Russian election practices in order to apply them later in their own country. As CND Director General Dmitry Saveliev noted, independent elections and strong institutions of popular rule lay the most important foundation for the stable development of any state. “Sharing Russia’s experience with our Libyan colleagues is our contribution to Libya’s future prosperity, based on the expression of the will of its citizens,” the head of the CND emphasized.

The Libyan experts discussed with their Russian colleagues the legal framework for holding elections and socio-political campaigns and, on the eve of Russia’s Single Voting Day, personally familiarized themselves with how elections are organized at the regional level—from polling-station logistics to the оперативная work of situation centers and cooperation with independent observers.

The Libyan delegation also became acquainted with Russian innovative tools of public and social governance. At a round table at the Cyberdom, specialists discussed cybersecurity issues; at the ANO “Dialog” venue, they examined principles of information work with the public and the main challenges of today’s information space; and at the “Senezh” Management Workshop, they reviewed formats of Russian federal and regional governance.

Special attention during the visit was paid to training and professional development of management personnel. Specialists from the Center for People’s Diplomacy told the Libyan experts about the main educational, scientific, and humanitarian projects that the Center implements in African countries on the basis of partner Russian Houses. The proposed initiatives were met by the Libyan side with great enthusiasm, and the work of the Russian House in Benghazi received the highest praise.

The Russian–Libyan exchange of electoral and governance experience became another step toward a political settlement in Libya and toward strengthening the productive partnership between the two countries.