High Commissioner Thors, in address to OSCE Permanent Council, highlights participation of national minorities and role of education in conflict prevention

In her statement to the Permanent Council on 19 November 2015, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors provided information on her institution’s activities since July 2015 highlighting its thematic work as well as the situation in Ukraine.

Thors referred to the refugee crisis, stating that she is closely following the implications that the movement of people and related migration-management policies may have on inter-ethnic relations and security in OSCE participating States.

Thors also highlighted the importance of education in conflict prevention. “Investing in education requires patience and a long-term perspective,” she said. “However, it is the most sustainable policy to prepare future generations to deal with multiple perspectives and languages. It is also through education that pupils can develop the critical thinking that will help them to question prejudice and prepare them for responsible citizenship."

The High Commissioner emphasized that ensuring effective participation in society is a shared responsibility of both the majority and minority communities.

“Broad participation also means respect for diversity and inclusiveness, to which OSCE participating States have committed. These commitments are, therefore, a shared responsibility of OSCE participating States, and of their societies,” she said.

Referring to her visit to Kyiv and Mariupol in early November, Thors said that Ukraine remains a tolerant society but that this traditional tolerance should be underpinned by a long-term state vision that considers diversity an asset. She added that a stronger institutional architecture to implement minority rights commitments and to promote diversity will help build a stable democracy.

The full statement can be found here.