Armenian model OSCE conference held in Gyumri

YEREVAN, 8 May 2009 - Thirty-five youth ambassadors will seek to solve a wide range of water management challenges - including environmental damage, migration pressures, economic instability and political conflict - at the two-day Model OSCE Conference which started today in Gyumri, the capital of Armenia's Shirak province.

The simulation of an OSCE Permanent Council session - which will focus on water management problems and relations between the hypothetical neighbouring countries of Abrala, Balconia and Daka - will give participants, aged 16-25, the opportunity to find solutions to real security challenges and expand their knowledge about the OSCE as a comprehensive security actor.

The event is the first Model OSCE to be held in the Armenian language. Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, which organized the conference, said holding the Model OSCE in Armenian was intended to help reach out to all university students from Armenia's Shirak region.

"I believe today's discussion will not only expand participants's knowledge of the OSCE and existing problems in the economic and environmental field, but will also provide the invaluable experience of negotiating, the ability to enter into a dialogue, to reach consensus and to make concessions, which are so important and useful in daily life," he added.

The participants received practical training in strategic multilateral negotiation and public speaking, and attended workshops on the OSCE and its activities before taking part in the conference. They learned about the environmental challenges they will be modelling in the Permanent Council session with the help of the local Aarhus Centre, which was established with the support of the OSCE Office.

Artur Najaryan, a student playing the role of Abralan ambassador, said: "Although mainly environmental issues are on our agenda today, it is obvious that until we find a comprehensive solution which takes into account also the political tensions between the countries over territorial questions, it will be impossible to establish stability in our region."

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance, and three selected players will receive encouragement prizes.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan plans to hold a follow-up conference in Armenia's Lori province later this year.