Story
Helping young people to develop their potential – an important part of OSCE’s work in Tajikistan
- Date:
- Source:
- OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe
- Fields of work:
- Education, Youth
Young people represent approximately 70% of Tajikistan’s population of nearly nine million, with the majority living in rural areas. Despite being a substantial demographic group, young people often feel they lack opportunities to actively participate in public life. An important part of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe’s work is dedicated to helping youth throughout the country to reach their potential.
The Office’s initiatives involving young people include Network by Consensus, a community bringing together around 500 youth from Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries, the Model OSCE and the Central Asian Youth Talks.
Events linked to these initiatives help young women and men to improve their skills in public speaking, debating, critical thinking, research, analysis and conducting negotiations. Participants engage in dialogue, learn and discuss about the importance of international co-operation, diplomatic relations and the work of regional and international organizations.
The recent study tour to the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, Austria from 27 November to 1 December 2018 was an opportunity for six members of the Network by Consensus as well as young people who have been closely involved in OSCE-organized events to see firsthand how an international organization works. They learned how the OSCE’s principles, its comprehensive approach to security and high-level security dialogue are applied in practice.
The study tour was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in the framework of its efforts to support democratic political processes in Tajikistan.
The Programme Office in Dushanbe has been conducting Model OSCE events all across the country since 2016. They aim to increase the awareness of young people of the Organization and to equip them with important participatory skills, Khujand, 24 July 2018.
Network by Consensus is a community of young people from across Central Asia, set up in 2017 by participants in OSCE-supported youth events in Tajikistan. This network provides around 500 members with a platform for personal and professional development, Romit, Tajikistan, 14 May 2018.
"Youth Talks" is a platform that allows a young generation of leaders to present their achievements, share success stories and discuss important issues related to youth and society development, Romit, Tajikistan, 28 August 2018.
In working with young people, the Office employs a peer-to-peer methodology, allowing young people to learn from each other through interactive sessions and exercises, Dushanbe, 10 May 2018.
Participants from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan during a practical exercise on negotiations, Romit, Tajikistan, 12 May 2018.
In May 2018, members of the Network by Consensus met with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger during his official visit to Tajikistan. During the meeting Secretary General Greminger discussed issues of youth participation and active citizenship, Dushanbe, 4 May 2018.
The Programme Office in Dushanbe organized a study tour to the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna from 27 November to 1 December 2018. The agenda of the tour included meetings and discussions with the OSCE officials and experts. The young people attended the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in the Hofburg Conference Centre and met with a representative of the Delegation of Tajikistan to the OSCE, Vienna, 29 November 2018.
The participants visited the Vienna International Centre, the complex hosting the United Nations agencies based in Vienna. Young people were familiarized with the work of various international organizations and UN agencies, Vienna, 27 November 2018.
During their visit to the OSCE Secretariat, the young people had discussions with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger (centre) and the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Representative on Youth and Security, Anna-Katharina Deininger (second from left), Vienna, 30 November 2018.
During the meeting with Secretary General Thomas Greminger (centre), the participants discussed the OSCE’s youth agenda and youth-related problems and achievements in the region. They also related stories of their success in the promotion of youth development in their counties. Secretary General Greminger pointed out that integrating youth perspectives into the formulation of the OSCE’s cross-dimensional approach to security and dialogue is highly important for the establishment and maintenance of peace. Participants of the study tour also presented the Secretary General with a hand-made souvenir from the Network by Consensus community, Vienna, 30 November 2018.
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