Common agenda for youth in focus at OSCE Mediterranean Conference in Vienna

VIENNA, 5 October 2016 – The contribution of youth to fostering dialogue and co-operation in the Euro-Mediterranean region is in focus at the two-day 2016 OSCE Mediterranean Conference, which opened today in Vienna.

Organized by the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria, the 2016 Austrian Chairmanship of the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group and the OSCE Secretariat, the conference brings together youth representatives from the Mediterranean region and beyond and is attended by several ministers and high-level representatives from international and regional organizations.

“The partnership between countries North and South of the Mediterranean is more important than ever, as challenges around this region increase. Radicalisation, terrorism, conflict and uncontrolled migration demonstrate that the security situation in one area around the Mediterranean is clearly linked to the security situation in another region,” said Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Michael Linhart.

“Youth is at the core of these tendencies – those phenomena directly influence the life of young people, and therefore youth merits all our attention. Together with young people we have to find answers to these challenges, and this is what we are trying to do during the conference here in Vienna today and tomorrow,” said Linhart.

The high-level gathering provides a unique platform to engage youth in a discussion of the Mediterranean agenda, with a focus on sharing best practices in countering violent extremism, turning migration into an opportunity, and supporting youth empowerment at all levels to foster common security.

“Youth is most affected by the phenomena that agitate societies across our region, from radicalization to migration. At the same time, it is the constituency that can give rise to new leaders and innovative solutions,” said OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier.

Zannier suggested that one way to look more positively at the existing challenges to dialogue and co-operation in the Euro-Mediterranean region is to focus on the experiences and perspectives of young people who are only now entering the centre stage, but who will shape the future of societies over the coming decades.

“In spite of all our differences, our young people are fundamentally united in seeking empowerment in a world that has never been as connected but can be alienating and harsh at times,” said Zannier.

Rejecting a narrative of confrontation, Zannier argued that conflict is not irredeemably rooted in cultural, religious or other human differences. “Conflict and insecurity originate in the failure of our societies and our governments to fulfil the dreams that every new generation rightly aspires to when its turn comes.”

Zannier advanced several proposals on how to strengthen engagement between youth from OSCE participating States and Mediterranean Partner countries, including suggesting the appointment of Youth Ambassadors who could help spearhead a new Mediterranean dialogue. 

The OSCE Mediterranean Conference gathers over 300 representatives of the OSCE participating States, high officials from the OSCE Mediterranean Partner countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia), international organizations, academia, civil society and media. A high-level delegation from the Government of National Accord of Libya is also participating.