Youth
Young people’s voices, including in multilateral organizations, are often not heard when discussing the security and stability of nations, although many are standing up to advocate for democracy and fundamental rights and freedoms. The OSCE, since its earliest days, has made the youth and security agenda an important part of its activities.
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Our challenge
Many factors can affect security and stability, often across borders, population segments or the OSCE’s three dimensions.
Many young women and men in our region are actively promoting a culture of peace, dialogue, justice, peaceful coexistence, trust and reconciliation. However, despite their efforts to stand up for democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the democratic space continues to shrink regionally and globally. Young women are particularly vulnerable to such changes due to multiple challenges and stereotypes that are obstacles to their meaningful inclusion.
We […] acknowledge that youth are an important part of society and the role that they can play in supporting participating States in the implementation of commitments in all three dimensions.
Our action
Building on our comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, we work on strategies to tackle the issue head-on.
The Secretariat operationalizes the OSCE’s Youth and Security commitments with the aim to contribute to building a peaceful and prosperous future for our societies. Activities include the Perspectives 20-30 initiative, a platform developed to enable youth to discuss with decision-makers their vision of a safer future.The OSCE Secretariat also established the OSCE Pool of Young Experts initiative, gathering together young alumni of OSCE activities and young experts on key security issues affecting the OSCE region, aiming at promoting their meaningful engagement in broader peace and security debates.
Our teams
Our institutions, field operations and offices bring to the task expert skills and knowledge to develop tailor-made solutions for each challenge.
Our institutions and offices
All three OSCE institutions are working with and for youth within their respective mandates, ranging from strengthening youth political and public engagement to working with youth from minority communities and young media professionals and students of journalism.
The OSCE Secretariat is active in promoting the inclusion of youth perspectives in the security debate, including through the Perspectives 20-30 initiative, a platform for young women and men to discuss with decision-makers their vision of a safer future for the OSCE area.
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has also appointed a Special Representative on Youth.
Our operations on the ground
Many of our field operations work with their host countries on youth-related initiatives, helping to build inclusive and democratic societies. Their work includes, among other issues, strengthening youth engagement and confidence-building between youth groups, building up youth resilience and stimulating critical thinking.
Mission in Kosovo
Mission in Kosovo
Set up on 1 July 1999, the Mission has its headquarters in Prishtinë/Priština and maintains five regional offices. It runs a wide array of activities.
Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Established on 8 December 1995, the Mission works on human rights, education, the rule of law, gender equality, governance and security co-operation.
Mission to Montenegro
Mission to Montenegro
Established on 29 June 2006, the Mission assists Montenegro with its reform agenda and helps it further strengthen its democratic development.
Mission to Serbia
Mission to Serbia
The Mission, set up on 11 January 2001, is based in Belgrade and assists Serbia in building accountable democratic institutions.
Mission to Skopje
Mission to Skopje
Established on 18 September 1992, the Mission’s key priorities are constructive inter-ethnic relations and the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement.
Presence in Albania
Presence in Albania
Established on 27 March 1997 with the mandate to promote democratization, the rule of law and human rights, and to consolidate democratic institutions.
Projects
Initiatives funded by individual states and organizations
Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings and training events
Studies and reports
Reports, studies and analyses for policymakers, researchers and all those interested in this field of our work
Manuals and guides
Practice-oriented manuals, guides, handbooks and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners working in this field
OSCE stories
Read up on the OSCE, our people on the ground and our work
