Unlocking potential of youth focus of third Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group meeting

VIENNA, 13 July 2021 — Realising the potential of young people is key to ensuring economic success and enhancing stability in the Mediterranean region and the OSCE area, said speakers at the third Meeting of the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group chaired by Poland yesterday.

Around 100 participants took part in the event, during which they discussed current young people employment trends and good practices for tapping into their potential in the Mediterranean region.

According to a 2021 study by the European Training Foundation highlighted during the meeting, young people make up between 22% and 34% of the working age population in the Mediterranean region. The study also shows that the pandemic’s effect on the global economy and employment has left many young people struggling to secure and maintain gainful employment.

Participants exchanged ideas on how to identify further opportunities to actively involve youth in prosperity strengthening initiatives, and peace and security in the OSCE and Mediterranean regions.

Adam Hałaciński, Permanent Representative of Poland and Chair of the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group, said: “The young people of today need our support to become courageous individuals of tomorrow. They need access to education, high-quality professional training opportunities and the labour market.” 

Hałaciński also announced a new online initiative, the Young Political Advisors Course, for young people from the OSCE Mediterranean Partnership countries. The course is being developed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in close co-operation with the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group and is expected to commence in autumn 2021.

Luis Cuesta, Permanent Representative of Spain and a Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Youth and Security, noted young people’s potential to contribute to comprehensive security and their role in promoting sustainable development, emphasising the need to support youth initiatives for greening the economy. Referring to the 2017 Malaga Decalogue, Cuesta outlined ten recommendations for mainstreaming the youth agenda into responses to security challenges in the OSCE area.

James E. Donegan, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the United States and Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Youth and Security, said that the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security provides a framework for young people to have their voices heard and to shape decisions that affect them. “We look forward to working with all participating States and the OSCE’s executive structures, institutions, and autonomous bodies to promote meaningful youth participation across the region.”

Rosaline Marbinah, OSCE Special Representative on Youth and Security, warned against a further marginalization of young people in times of crisis. “Young people need to be involved in the decision-making process on the way to post-pandemic recovery and be able to contribute to prosperity and security in the Mediterranean and the OSCE region.” 

In recognition of the importance that young people play in our societies, the 2021 OSCE Mediterranean Conference (12-13 October) will continue addressing youth issues in the context of the post-pandemic recovery.