Youth
Two consecutive Ministerial Council declarations, in 2014 and 2015, acknowledged the potential of young people to contribute to political, economic and social development and to the OSCE’s work across the three dimensions of its comprehensive concept of security. The Organization puts particular emphasis on youth protection, and on promoting youth participation in areas like preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, education, tolerance and non-discrimination and political participation.
The Special Representatives on Youth and Security play a key role in ensuring continuity and sustainability of these efforts. They closely co-operate with the Chairmanship, participating States, Partners for Co-operation, executive structures and civil society in order to represent the interests of youth, and enhance youth participation and youth mainstreaming within the OSCE. Follow OSCE Special Representatives' updates regarding OSCE Youth activities on Facebook and Twitter.
OSCE field operations in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia run youth-related projects and activities with their partners on the ground:
- The Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Youth Advisory Group gives youth a voice in the implementation of the Mission’s activities.
- The Central Asian Youth Network supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana brings together students from the region each year to discuss and share perspectives on regional security, stimulating critical thinking and encouraging a co-operative approach, in line with the OSCE’s values and principles.
- The OSCE Presence in Albania and the Mission to Serbia organize youth summer schools with young people from both countries to foster intercultural dialogue, promote mutual understanding and strengthen co-operation to challenge prejudices and stereotypes.
- They also support youth representatives from Albania and Serbia in their efforts to engage on connectivity, co-operation and dialogue.
Youth voices are heard at:
- Ministerial Council
- Permanent Council
- ODIHR, HCNM and RFOM activities
- Human Dimension Implementation Meetings
- Field operations
- OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
- Mediterranean and Asian Contact Groups
- OSCE Security Days
- OSCE Campaign “United in Countering Violent Extremism” (#UnitedCVE)