Youth can be a driver of OSCE Mediterranean Partnership

The 2016 OSCE Mediterranean Conference, held from 5 to 6 October 2016 in Vienna, went beyond a debate on issues of common concern for European and Mediterranean countries – it was about a common future and the central role played by youth from both shores of the Mediterranean.

This high-level gathering provided a unique platform to engage youth representatives in a discussion of the Mediterranean agenda, with a focus on sharing best practices in countering violent extremism, turning migration into an opportunity, and supporting youth empowerment at all levels to foster common security.

“Youth is most affected by the phenomena that challenge societies across our region, from radicalization to migration,” said OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier. “At the same time, it is the constituency that can give rise to new leaders and innovative solutions. There is such power in young people. They are not only the future, they are the present.”

Co-operation, dialogue, empowerment

Intercultural dialogue and co-operation, trust in youth, unbridling the force the young people have in them is of absolute essence, many agreed. “Nothing for us, without us,”said Johanna Nyman, President of the European Youth Forum and youth activist, followed by applause in the Neuer Saal of the Hofburg.

“Invest in youth, invest in future” – “Give young people space to speak up to prevent violent extremism” – “Don't base policy on stereotypes” – “Give young people the possibility to claim their rights” – “Time to take Action” – were some of the messages from youth representatives to the representatives of the OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation.

Mohammed Taher Siala, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of National Accord of Libya, attended the conference and reiterated Libya’s interest in joining the OSCE Mediterranean Partnership.

Organized by the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria, the 2016 Austrian Chairmanship of the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group and the OSCE Secretariat, gathered more than 400 representatives from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, as well as high-level representatives from the UN Support Mission in Libya, the League of Arab States, the Union for the Mediterranean, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, youth organizations north and south of the Mediterranean, think tanks, academic institutions and the media.

2016 OSCE Mediterranean Conference Interviews

Interviews with participants at the 2016 OSCE Mediterranean Conference on Youth North and South of the Mediterranean.

• Hassan Abdel Moneim Mostafa, Senior Regional Adviser for North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf States International Organization for Migration
• Suadad Nabil Najim, Counsellor at the League of Arab States
• Ambassador Hussam Al Husseini, Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
• Vincenzo Amendola, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy

See all Interviews

Zannier advanced several proposals on how to strengthen engagement between youth from OSCE participating States and Mediterranean Partner countries, including the suggestion to appoint Youth Ambassadors who could help spearhead a new Mediterranean dialogue.

The OSCE has a long-standing Mediterranean Partnership with Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.