OSCE hosts side event on whole-of-society approach to youth crime prevention

On 23 May 2023, the OSCE  Transnational Threats Department hosted a side event on promoting a whole-of-society approach to youth crime prevention on the margins of the 32nd Session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The event was organized in co-operation with the Permanent Missions of Germany and Italy to the OSCE.

Drawing on experiences from across the OSCE area, this side event explored how to develop and deliver a multi-stakeholder approach to youth crime prevention, as well as methodologies to provide platforms for young people to discuss the challenges and vulnerabilities they face. Reflecting the whole-of-society approach that underpins the OSCE’s work on youth crime prevention, the side event panel brought together over 70 participants including young people, policymakers, law enforcement practitioners and civil society.

Discussions highlighted the importance of young people’s active participation in shaping youth crime prevention policies by providing opportunities for open dialogue and exchange of experiences. Speakers also underlined the significance of incorporating crime prevention education in school curricula, adopting a multi-stakeholder approach and involving civil society for effectively mitigating the risk factors leading to juvenile crime.

Addressing the participants, Ambassador Gesa Bräutigam, Head of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the OSCE, emphasized the importance of joint action, stating that “Coming together and joining forces is key when we want to become more effective in preventing youth crime and its long-term effects on societies.”

Ambassador Stefano Baldi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the OSCE, added “Education and awareness-raising are essential components of the youth crime prevention toolbox, giving young people the skills and confidence they need to make positive choices and become active contributors to society.”

Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats stressed that “A multi-stakeholder approach is the foundation of holistic efforts to prevent youth crime.  The OSCE is committed to assisting its participating States in enhancing the involvement of young people in decision-making processes, providing targeted capacity-building and promoting the involvement of all sectors of the society in preventing youth crime.”

The event drew on lessons learnt from the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption” jointly implemented by the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department and Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.