Model OSCE conference held in Armenia
YEREVAN, 2 November 2008 - Labour migration, educational and cultural rights of national minorities, protection of investigative journalism and lack of tolerance are among the problems highlighted at the Model OSCE Conference in Tsaghkadzor, near Yerevan, this weekend.
Around 25 students from universities and non governmental organizations in Armenia gathered to find a solution to the growing ethnic tensions between the local population of the hypothetical region of Piruki (south of Poland) and labour migrants from Darilia, a hypothetical country in transition in South Eastern Europe.
Nadezhda Tsolakyan, a political science student from the Yerevan State Linguistic University, who participated in the July 2008 Model OSCE Conference in Vienna, played the Model OSCE Chairperson-in-Office: "This has been a unique experience," she said. "We all learned how difficult but vital it is to maintain genuine dialogue no matter what happens on the ground".
Nora Minasyan, a representative of the Capacity and Development for Civil Society non governmental organization in Vanadzor, Armenia's third-largest city, played the representative of the hypothetical NGO "Support to Darilians Worldwide" and underlined the importance of tolerance:
"Only with the help of like-minded people and organizations can we create societies in which all are equal, regardless of their race, sex and religion. Each of us has a role to play to make diversity and multiculturalism a reality worldwide. Tolerance and respect for each other will bring the balance and understanding we need in our world."
The conference was preceded by intensive preparations, including lectures on the OSCE, training on public speaking and negotiation skills, as well as workshops with Armenian and foreign diplomats.
The OSCE Office in Yerevan plans to build on the first Armenian experience to organize a nationwide Model OSCE competition in Armenian language next year.