Politica
Spain: OSCE youth forum puts youth on their agenda
OSCE's first ever youth forum has proved that finally the issue of youth participation in European political life is on the table. We are now waiting for the next step
di Selene Biffi
On November 5th-6th the Spanish Chairmanship of the OSCE (the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) hosted the first Youth Forum ever to be organised by the OSCE.
With a kick-off speech by Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spanish Foreign Minister and OSCE chairman-in-office, the meeting saw the participation of about one hundred young people from nearly all of the European countries who convened in Madrid to discuss the role of young people and respective participation in issues such as economic development, natural resources management, human rights, conflict prevention and terrorism.
Many participants were young activists or diplomats in their own right, working at their respective Foreign Ministries, OSCE local offices, big NGOs or youth councils. Most of them came to Madrid with a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the issues to be addressed, and the final resolution reflected this.
The role of young people and their active participation in several European bodies is still scarce at best, and needs to be addressed and agreed upon to truly enhance inclusion and participation at different levels and for different issues. As such, will this Forum pave the way toward the creation of a Youth Panel at OSCE?
