Environmental challenges discussed at Model OSCE conference in Armenia's remote Syunik region

KAPAN, Armenia, May 7, 2010 - Applying OSCE mechanisms to solve environmental security problems in hypothetical countries of Valouchistan, Dakastan and Abrala was the purpose of a student Model OSCE conference held in Armenia's remote Syunik region today.

The 1.5-day event brought together 24 students from various cities of the region. The topics on the agenda of the simulated OSCE Permanent Council session included chemical waste management, environmental and economic disaster issues - the challenges inherent to the situation in Syunik region.

"Enabling young people to learn about the OSCE structures and decision-making processes is vital in promoting their awareness on the international mechanisms to address security-related problems. The experience will motivate them to get involved in the result-oriented civil activity in their localities," said Grzegorz Michalski, Politico-Military Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

Satenik Baghdasaryan, Political Science student from Yerevan State University who participated in the event said: "The event gave us an opportunity to use our negotiation, problem solving and argumentation skills in close to real life situations. We realized that only by joint effort and enhanced cross-border co-operation is it possible to counter universal environmental challenges in today's interconnected world."

The conference was preceded by lectures on the OSCE structure, a training session on environmental matters, public speaking and negotiation skills, as well as presentations on the OSCE work in economic-environmental dimension.

The event was the third regional conference of the kind held by the OSCE Office in Yerevan to promote OSCE principles and values among active young people in Armenia.