VIENNA, 12 August 2019 – Under the theme of “Transforming Education”, International Youth Day 2019 highlights the importance of making education more relevant, equitable and inclusive for young people across the globe.

Stressing the need to engage young people in efforts towards a safer and sustainable future, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák stressed: “For too long, young people have been shut out of our discussions, or dismissed as part of the problem. Now we know that we cannot achieve any of our goals or objectives without them. Young people are already contributing to comprehensive security, peace and sustainable development – and inclusive education can propel them forward.”

The Special Representatives on Youth and Security Alba Brojka and Samuel Goda recalled that with almost 38% of its population aged under 30, the OSCE is an important platform to foster youth participation in contributing to comprehensive peace and security efforts across and beyond Europe. “Young people have proven to be bridge-builders, experts and contributors to peace and security in the OSCE area. Quality education is crucial in strengthening youth engagement to address current and future challenges,” they stated. Brojka, who was recently appointed as Special Representative, highlighted that Albania, as the incoming OSCE Chair, will continue to see engagement with and for young people as a priority.

“From the Helsinki Final Act onwards, to the most recent Ministerial Council in Milan, OSCE participating States have repeatedly recognized the positive role that young people can play in all three dimensions of security, and how education can contribute to these efforts,” OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger noted. “But we must also turn commitments into a tangible reality for all.”

As part of its efforts to engage young people in its comprehensive approach to security, the OSCE has launched the “Perspectives 20-30” initiative to bring young experts and practitioners together in order to develop a vision for addressing current and future security challenges. With the support of the Slovak OSCE Chair, the OSCE-wide Youth Forum in Bratislava on 28 and 29 October 2019 will offer a platform for young people from the OSCE area and beyond to exchange ideas and engage in a frank, informal dialogue with each other and with delegates of participating States and OSCE Partners for Co-operation.