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Third edition of online seminars on the OSCE for Italian University students

Screenshot 2024-05-29 190504

The Permanent Mission of Italy to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has successfully concluded the third edition of online seminars for Italian university students. Coordinated by Ambassador Stefano Baldi, this initiative continues to bridge the gap between academia and multilateral diplomacy, providing students with valuable insights into the functioning of the OSCE.

The cycle of seminars, titled “The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe as a Model for Multilateral Regional Diplomacy“, took place in English from March to May 2024 and featured ten sessions, each lasting approximately two hours.

Ninety students from thirteen Italian universities, including Bari, Bocconi, Bologna, Florence, LUISS – Guido Carli, Padua, Pavia, Perugia, Roma Tre, Sant’Anna di Pisa, Siena, Trento, and Trieste, participated in the program. These students had the opportunity to interact with Italian diplomats and officials working for the OSCE, to engage in practical simulations and case studies and to gather a better understanding of the significant support of Italy to the Organisation.

The seminars covered the full spectrum of OSCE activities, encompassing its three dimensions of security: politico-military, economic-environmental, and human. Notable sessions included the seminar with Matteo Mecacci, Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), presentations on the youth, peace and security agenda,  on the role of the OSCE to enhance energy security and on professional opportunities at the OSCE, with practical advice on how to pursue a career in multilateral organizations.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, mirroring the success of previous editions in 2022 and 2023. Students particularly appreciated the interactive sessions and case studies, such as the simulation of an election observation mission and thw session on the activities of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.

Ambassador Baldi presented the results of the third edition of the online seminars at the 18 July meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council and underlined the importance of this initiative to promote the knowledge of the OSCE, while expressing the hope that this well-established training model could be adopted by other OSCE Permanent Missions or the Secretariat.

The cycle of online seminars on the OSCE confirms the commitment of the Permanent Mission of Italy to the OSCE to fostering a deeper understanding of the OSCE’s role and activities beyond the diplomatic community. By targeting the academic sector, the initiative aims to support a new generation of informed and engaged individuals at the international level. As the OSCE continues to navigate today’s complex global challenges, initiatives like the online seminars play a crucial role in promoting shared values and enhancing cooperation among participating States.