Youth project

During its OSCE Chairmanship year, Switzerland gave a stronger voice to young people and provided them with more opportunities to take part in OSCE activities.

Fifty-seven young men and women from the OSCE participating States were invited to take part in the Model OSCE project 2014. The 18 to 30-year-old youth ambassadors familiarised themselves with the themes and structures of the OSCE through simulated meetings of the Ministerial Council and the Permanent Council. They were thus given the opportunity to gain their first experience of diplomacy, prove their negotiating skills and leadership qualities, and practise public speaking.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Didier Burkhalter invited the youth ambassadors to take part in the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Basel on 4 and 5 December 2014 and to present the Model OSCE Youth Action plan to the foreign ministers of the 57 OSCE participating States who attended the Ministerial Council.

Model OSCE Youth Action plan

In connection with the Model OSCE, a book with the title «Security and Co-operation in Europe – The next generation's perspective» was published. In addition to the Youth Action Plan, the book contains portraits of the 57 youth ambassadors taken by the Swiss photographer Beat Schweizer as well as illustrations by the young Swiss artist Dora Formica.

«Security and Co-operation in Europe – The next generation's perspective» (PDF, 85 Pages, 29.9 MB)