Young women and men from Central Asia experience diplomacy at Model OSCE in Istanbul

From 25 to 29 September 2023, 25 young professionals from Central Asia had the chance to learn about the OSCE and experience diplomatic negotiations first-hand as they simulated meetings of the OSCE Permanent Council as part of the 2023 Model OSCE event.

The five-day event brought together 12 women and 13 men from diverse backgrounds who all shared a strong interest in multilateralism and security.

“These events, particularly for youth from Central Asia and other regions, serve as a platform for mutual understanding,” said Sahobakhon Juraeva, a participant from Tajikistan. “They also include opportunities for networking and personal development, the potential to become a catalyst for change, and the acquisition of fresh ideas and knowledge across diverse fields,” she added.

Participants were briefed on mediation and dialogue facilitation, negotiation skills and strategies, gender mainstreaming, youth and security issues and decision-making processes at the OSCE. The event included theoretical sessions, interactive skill-building exercises, panel talks, lectures, workshops and concluded with the simulation of the Permanent Council meeting where participants took the roles of the OSCE participating-states delegates and worked on the resolution of a crisis situation. By simulating the roles of the representatives of the participating States, participants engaged in bilateral and multilateral negotiations to resolve the important issue by a consensus-based decision.

“The role of young people in the future of security in Europe and beyond is crucial. They bring fresh perspectives, technological expertise, and a deep understanding of contemporary challenges,” said Emil Azikaev, a participant from Uzbekistan.

The 25 young people also discussed the role of multilateralism and international diplomacy and political leadership with Senator Farah Karimi, Member of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Special Representative on Central Asia. Some of the key topics of the meeting included the role of the OSCE in promoting security and dialogue in the region, discussing how security benefits from gender equality, and talking about what it means to be a politician.

“I’m thrilled to be with young, talented, and engaged participants from five Central Asian countries at the OSCE event in Istanbul. Their energy and belief in multilateralism are truly inspiring!” said Senator Farah Karimi.

This edition of Model OSCE in Central Asia marks a step towards stronger inclusion of young people in the work of the Organization. All interested participants will be invited to join a ‘pool of young experts’ that was recently launched to ensure ongoing engagement with youth. This initiative will enable the OSCE to better incorporate the voices and perspectives of young people into its daily work.

The young participants also had the opportunity to exchange with Chairman-in-Office Special Representative for Youth Memet Zhaku who joined the OSCE Model on the first day.

The event was organized by the OSCE Office of the Secretary General in close co-operation with the OSCE Field Offices in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, marking the first time these five field offices organized a joint Model OSCE event for Central Asia together with the Secretariat.

The five-day event in Istanbul is the second of a series of Model OSCE events that will be held at national, sub-regional, and regional levels. The first event of the series had a regional focus on Western Europe and invited 26 young professionals to Vienna in June 2023. In 2024, a third event is planned with a regional focus on the Western Balkans.