Website for 2009 Belgrade Model OSCE Conference launched

BELGRADE, 16 October 2008 - The OSCE Mission to Serbia and the NGO Zikic have launched a website for a Model OSCE Conference which will take place in Belgrade in February 2009.

Some 70 students from Serbian State universities will take part in a simulation of the OSCE Permanent Council with a focus on an environmental security topic.

"This is the first time such a conference is being organized in Serbia. Young people will have a chance to learn more about the OSCE decision-making processes through a direct participation in a debate on regional challenges," said Anthony Pahigian, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission.

Students will represent one of the OSCE's 56 participating States, and some will play the roles of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the Permanent Council's Chairman.

"The Model OSCE Conference 2009 aims to raise awareness about issues on environmental protection and will help the new generations understand what diplomatic dialogue is, face tomorrow's security-related challenges and find peaceful solutions to them," added Pahigian.

The deadline for applications is Saturday, 15 November 2008. Women and members of minority groups are especially encouraged to apply.

For further information and application details, please visit www.model-osce-serbia.org

A Model OSCE Conference, held in Vienna, Austria, from 5 to 7 July, brought together 140 students from 30 countries.