True it is a view - one that is informed by 20 years of experience working in international decision-making processes, so it is a rather well-informed view. Nobody can force anyone in the community to conform to operating in a procedural framework that is viewed as good or best practice in international relations. However, choosing to ignore what is legitimating and pursuing something which has the opposite effect does not, again in my experience, lead to a positive end. Nor, to be frank, does it lead to a discussion which results in productive work being done. It does tend to lead to quite the opposite situation. As to what staff should or should not be doing - it is definitely the role of staff in a secretariat to act as observers of processes and to provide input on what options for good governance and decision-making frameworks are available. It is the job of the community to implement, or not, the advice. Like all advice, you are free to use it or not as you wish. I'm sure the German members of the EURALO will recall the excellent maxim of Bismarck: "Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. I learn from the mistakes of others." Something I've tried to keep firmly in mind throughout my life (not always terribly successfully it must be said). My experience in this area is pretty long - there are some others, like Roberto, who have long experience as well. Hearing the benefit of my experience in these areas will not hurt you, or anyone else here - whether you avail yourself of it or not is up to you. On 19/05/07, Thomas Roessler <roessler@does-not-exist.org> wrote:
On 2007-05-19 22:42:43 +0100, Nick Ashton-Hart wrote:
My statement was a statement of fact, a reminder of good practice in the conduct of elections.
Your statement was one particular view as to how elections are to be conducted. Others might disagree.
Very frankly, I don't think you should be pushing this particular kind of discussion from the staffer's seat.
-- Thomas Roessler <roessler@does-not-exist.org>
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