OSCE launches project on youth crime prevention

Committed to advancing participation of youth in crime prevention efforts, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities — together with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) —  launched the project “Enhancing Youth Crime and Drug Use Prevention through Education on Legality and Awareness Campaigns Addressing Threats of Organized Crime and Corruption” on 13 December 2021.

In line with the OSCE’s comprehensive approach, this initiative will aim to prevent youth involvement in and exploitation by organized crime and corruption, by complementing criminal justice efforts and promoting respect for the rule of law through education and other social activities. This initiative will be initially implemented in Central Asia with the support of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek and in close co-operation with the UNODC.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Igli Hasani, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, highlighted that “It is widely accepted that corruption disproportionately affects people living in poverty and those whose voices are marginalized. This is especially true for young people.  Youth can lead the way in preventing corruption and promoting a new culture of integrity across all levels of society. It is high time we invest in them!”

Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, emphasized the strategic nature of the initiative, stressing that: “This OSCE-wide project addresses an important gap in the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to organized crime prevention – the involvement of youth.” She also noted that the initiative is an example of “strengthened partnership and strategic alignment between the OSCE and the UNODC in addressing transnational organized crime, corruption, and drug use.”

Both OSCE Co-ordinators acknowledged the importance of education, and the need to equip youth with the values and knowledge necessary to reduce their risk of becoming either victims or offenders.

Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime stressed that: “The international community must meaningfully engage young people in crime prevention strategies to create a better world for future generations”.

Ambassador Gesa Bräutigam, Permanent Representative of Germany to the OSCE, emphasized that: “The resilience of societies against the risks of organized crime, corruption and drug use is only as strong as the resilience of the most vulnerable group to be affected by these threats - youth." She stated: "These young people are the next generation of political leaders, entrepreneurs and civil society actors. It is crucial to invest in their education, raise awareness on the dangers and impacts of organized crime, corruption and drug use and foster a sustainable culture of integrity and lawfulness."

This new OSCE initiative places a special emphasis on enhancing youth’s education and understanding of the true danger and impact of organized crime and corruption. It will increase institutional teaching capacity in this area, launch broad awareness campaigns and empower youth, families, civil society and relevant institutional actors to facilitate in-depth discussions and prevention events on organized crime, corruption and drug use.

This extra-budgetary initiative is currently funded by Germany.