Empowering youth to step up for conflict prevention and resolution: OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security

The OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security empowers youth and in particular women in the OSCE region by educating them on security issues: arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

“Empowering young professionals, especially women, brings fresh perspectives more adapted to the world of tomorrow. Young people know what is best for them and for the world they want to live in,” said Daria, from Poland, one of the 2023 Scholarship participants.

Dedicated young leaders expand their technical expertise

Aged from 22 to 32, the 2023 cohort had backgrounds ranging from cybersecurity and intelligence to countering organized crime, humanitarian law, forensic physics and political science.

Although it is proved that the peace processes are more sustainable when they include and address the whole society, youth and women still face barriers preventing them from playing a meaningful role in the security field decision-making and from contributing to confidence and security-building in the OSCE region and globally.

One of these barriers is the lack of opportunities to expand their technical knowledge on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation instruments. The OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security addresses that gap.

“The OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security, with its online summer part and in-person week has enriched my expertise in arms control architecture in Europe and globally. This experience has definitely become a valuable step in my professional development,” said Kateryna from Ukraine.

"This training will contribute to raising awareness in my environment about the topics of security and peace. It motivates me to push myself forward both through my career and my life path and how important is to be your own biggest supporter" said Amina from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Getting first-hand experience: online course and in-person programme in Vienna

After 130 participants from across the OSCE region completed a nine-week inquiry-based online course this year, 42 women from 37 countries were selected from this cohort to take part in a one-week in-depth training programme in Vienna, from 6-10 November.

Over the course of one week, participants learned about arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, including verification activities, attended the Joint Meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation and the Permanent Council and paid visits to the laboratories of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization’s operational station.

The participants deepened their knowledge on how the OSCE makes concrete change on the ground through its field operations, and on the Organization’s work in the area of Small Arms Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition.

They were briefed about the work of the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, heard from UN Office on Drugs and Crime in countering the illicit trafficking and misuse of firearms, and learned about the mission of UN Office for Outer Space Affairs to promote international co-operation in the peaceful use of space.

They also took part in a dialogue facilitation and mediation skills session, model FSC, as well as professional development and leadership workshops, with a view to empower them as they move forward into their careers in peace and security.

Will you join us next year?

The 42 participants of the 2023 programme joined an alumnae network of over 650 young professionals who are blazing a trail in the field of peace and security for the next generation.

Stay up to date with the latest news and learn more about the application process for the 2024 OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security. The 2024 edition will be announced in Spring on the OSCE website and social media channels.