Activities
Anti-trafficking
The fight against trafficking - in human beings, in small arms and light weapons and in drugs - has been a top priority for the OSCE in recent years.
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Arms control
The end of the Cold War resulted in a huge amount of surplus weapons becoming available illegally. The OSCE helps to stop the spread of such weapons and offers assistance with their destruction.
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Border management
The actions taken by the OSCE in border monitoring range from conflict prevention to post-conflict management, capacity-building and institutional support.
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Combating terrorism
With its expertise in conflict prevention, crisis management and early warning, the OSCE contributes to world-wide efforts in combating terrorism.
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Conflict prevention
The OSCE works to prevent conflicts from arising and to facilitate lasting comprehensive political settlements for existing conflicts. It also helps with the process of rehabilitation in post-conflict areas.
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Democratization
The OSCE promotes democracy and assists the participating States in building democratic institutions.
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Economic activities
Economic prosperity being one of the cornerstones of stability, the OSCE has a special focus on promoting a healthy economic environment in its States.
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Education
Education programmes are an integral part of the Organization's efforts in conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation.
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Elections
As part of its democratization activities, the OSCE carries out election assistance projects in the lead-up to or following elections.
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Environmental activities
The participating States work towards restoring and maintaining a sound ecological balance in the air, water and soil.
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Gender equality
The equality of women and men is an integral part of sustainable democracy. The OSCE aims to provide equal opportunities for women and men and to integrate gender equality in policies and practices.
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Human rights
The OSCE's human rights activities focus on such priorities as freedom of movement and religion, preventing torture and trafficking in persons.
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Media freedom
The OSCE observes relevant media developments in its participating States with a view to addressing and providing early warning on violations of freedom of expression.
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Military reform
The OSCE's Forum for Security Co-operation provides a framework for political dialogue on military reform, while practical activities are conducted by the field operations, as well as the Conflict Prevention Centre.
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Minority rights
Ethnic conflict is one of the main sources of large-scale violence in Europe today. The OSCE's approach is to identify - and seek early resolution of - ethnic tensions and to set standards for the rights of persons belonging to minority groups.
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Policing
OSCE police operations are an integral part of the Organization's efforts in conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation.
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Rule of law
The concept of rule of law forms a cornerstone of the OSCE's human rights activities. It not only describes formal legal frameworks, but also aims at justice based on the full acceptance of human dignity.
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Tolerance and non-discrimination
OSCE bodies such as the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are constantly engaged in the battle against all forms of racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and discrimination.
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Activities
The OSCE is the largest regional security organization in the world. It conducts a wide range of activities related to all three dimensions of security — the human, the politico-military and the economic-environmental.