The structural units’ heads and employees from the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia and the Center of Electoral Systems Development, Reforms, and Trainings will undergo a 2-day training program focused on the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The teaching aims to retrain the staff members in order to promote a more inclusive electoral environment. The meeting was opened by Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Chairperson of the CEC, and Gigi Bregadze, the Democratic Governance Team Leader at UNDP Georgia. During his speech, Giorgi Kalandarishvili emphasized the Election Administration's (EA) vision regarding the rights of PWDs, highlighting that creating an inclusive electoral environment is one of the EA's top priorities.

,,We consistently strive to provide equitable services for voters and undertake extensive initiatives in this regard. The Strategic Plan of the EA, which is the most important document for our institution, is built upon the planned activities and events aimed at enhancing the electoral environment for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). We constantly cooperate with UNDP, one of the most important international partners of the EA. Through our close cooperation with them, we have an opportunity to deliver crucial knowledge and experience to our staff members today.’’ – said Giorgi Kalandarishvili during his speech.  

The training session will be conducted by invited experts – Ana Arganashvili and Mariam Mikiashvili, who will cover a range of important topics: the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, its fundamental principles, the rights enshrined in it, the mechanisms for enforcement and monitoring as well as ethical guidelines for communicating with PWDs, participation of PWDs in elections etc.

The training program, which will be conducted in two stages as part of the "Human Rights for All - Second Phase" project, being implemented by the EU and UNDP, will engage over 40 employees from the Election Administration.