Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Arms control
The OSCE helps to stop surplus weapons being available illegally and offers assistance with their destruction. The OSCE has also developed mechanisms to regulate the transfer of conventional arms, improve military transparency and build confidence between states.
Border management
The OSCE seeks to enhance border security while facilitating legitimate travel and commerce, protecting human rights and promoting human contacts.
Combating human trafficking
Human trafficking affects virtually all OSCE states, either as countries of origin or destination.
Combating terrorism
The OSCE contributes to world-wide efforts in combating terrorism through activities such as promoting more secure travel documents and training border staff, combating extremism on the internet, terrorist financing and protecting critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks.
Conflict prevention and resolution
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.
Economic activities
The OSCE undertakes numerous activities to support economic growth, including the strengthening of small- and medium-sized enterprises, monitoring the economic impact of trafficking and taking action against corruption and money laundering.
Education
Education programmes are an integral part of the Organization's efforts in conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation. The OSCE's youth projects include human rights, environmental, tolerance, and gender education as well as support for minorities in education.
Elections
The OSCE is a leading organization in the field of election observation. It conducts election-related activities across the 57 participating States, including technical assistance and election observation missions.
Environmental activities
Recognizing the close connection between environmental issues and security, the OSCE assists participating States with the sustainable use and sound management of natural resources.
Gender equality
The OSCE aims to provide equal opportunities for women and men, as well as to integrate gender equality into policies and practices, both within participating States and the Organization itself.
Good governance
The OSCE assists OSCE participating States in fighting corruption and in building democratic, accountable state institutions.
Human rights
Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms forms a key part of the OSCE's comprehensive security concept. The OSCE monitors the human rights situation in its 56 participating States.
Media freedom and development
Free and well-developed media are a cornerstone of democratic societies. The OSCE monitors media developments in its participating States for violations of freedom of expression. This includes reviewing legislation regulating the media, as well as monitoring cases where journalists are prosecuted for their professional activities or are the victims of harassment.
Military reform and co-operation
The Forum for Security Co-operation, which meets weekly in Vienna, provides a framework for dialogue between the OSCE participating States on military conduct, and on confidence- and security-building measures.
Minority rights
The OSCE identifies and seeks early resolution of ethnic tensions that might endanger peace or stability. It promotes the rights of national minorities and pays particular attention to the situation of Roma and Sinti.
Policing
OSCE police operations are an integral part of the Organization's efforts in conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation.
Roma and Sinti
The OSCE promotes the rights of Roma and Sinti through projects on political participation, education, housing, civil registration, combating racism and discrimination, and protecting the rights of displaced persons.
Rule of law
The concept of rule of law forms a cornerstone of the OSCE's human rights and democratization activities. It not only describes formal legal frameworks, but also aims at justice based on the full acceptance of human dignity.
Tolerance and non-discrimination
The OSCE actively supports its 56 participating States in combating all forms of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination, including anti-Semitism, and discrimination against Christians and Muslims.