Summer school visit to the OSCE

On 22 June, the OSCE Secretariat welcomed a group of international students to Vienna for a summer school visit aimed at providing hands-on experience of the Organization's programmatic activities. This visit offered participants an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security.

During the visit, participants (28 women, 12 men) had the chance to explore various aspects of the OSCE's work, including our three-dimensional concept of security. The programme shed light on the Organization's support to participating States in areas such as combating trafficking in human beings, economic and environmental issues as well as transnational organized crime, in particular the role of women in organized crime groups and combating illicit trafficking in cultural property.

One of the highlights was a practical group activity based on a fictitious case scenario, where participants could step into the shoes of an OSCE staff member who is developing a specialized project to prevent youth crime. In this way, they gained valuable insights into how we develop our programmatic work in general, and specifically how we work to address transnational crime. The experience also served as a networking experience, giving students the opportunity to identify areas on which they may wish to build their careers.

"Young people are the experts and practitioners that will build the comprehensive security of the future. We are excited to welcome international students to Vienna and letting them experience the diversity of the OSCE's programmatic activities up close," said Martha Stickings, Deputy Head of the Strategic Police Matters Unit in the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department.

"This educational visit offers a valuable opportunity to the students to learn about the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security and its leadership in promoting the rule of law, justice and human rights. Our students especially appreciate the chance to participate in the hands-on exercise on youth crime prevention," highlighted Professor Yuliya Zabyelina from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.