50 OSCE Scholarship graduates ready to lead next generation of peace and security experts

Fifty young professionals from 40 countries completed the OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security programme last week. With the skills they acquired over the course of the programme, participants will lead the next generation of experts on conflict prevention and resolution, essential skills as the world continues to face complex security challenges.

From 10 to 14 November, participants met with representatives of international organizations and practitioners in the field, gaining insights into the multilateral mechanisms that underpin co-operative security.

“I believe that the knowledge and perspectives I gained will significantly support my professional path in peacebuilding, disarmament, and security policy. My main takeaway message is that co-operation, transparency, and human security remain at the heart of meaningful peace efforts, and each of us carries a responsibility to advance them,” said Mariana, a participant from Moldova.

This year’s edition featured engaging sessions with experts from the OSCE’s Conflict Prevention Centre, Office of the Secretary General, and the Department of Human Resources. Participants also heard from experts from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on small arms and light weapons (SALW) and link to organized crime, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) on nuclear testing, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on non-proliferation and nuclear verification.

Through interactive exchanges, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of how international organizations work together to strengthen global peace, security and stability.

To gain hands-on experience, young Scholars dove into a negotiation simulation mirroring the work of the OSCE’s key decision-making bodies, the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), applying arms control and confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) in practice. They also got a chance to observe the proceedings around the FSC Plenary meeting.

“Seeing so many countries come together at the same table despite current geopolitical tensions made the importance of dialogue and multilateral diplomacy very tangible for me. The programme strengthened my motivation to pursue a career in multilateral diplomacy and showed me the power of co-operation and dedication in creating meaningful international dialogue,” said Adelina, a participant from Croatia.

The OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security is a training programme for young professionals (ages 22-32) from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation to engage in the security sector. It consists of an online course on conflict prevention, resolution, and arms control, followed by an in-person week in Vienna featuring workshops and expert discussions. Since its inception in 2018, over 920 professionals have completed the programme

The 2025 edition of the OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security training programme was supported by the governments of Andorra, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Spain, and the United States of America.