Youth from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River gain negotiation skills at Model OSCE Conference

The fifth annual Model OSCE Conference was organized by the OSCE Mission to Moldova from 26 to 29 October 2017 in Vadul lui Voda, bringing together 35 students from Balti, Chisinau, Cahul, Comrat and Tiraspol to participate in a simulation exercise that engages youth in conflict resolution, thereby honing their negotiation skills.

During the event, the participants received training in negotiation skills and learnt about the history and work of the OSCE, its structures and decision-making process.

As part of the simulation exercise, the students took on the roles of different OSCE participating States, institutions and other relevant actors. They worked together to resolve a hypothetical conflict in the OSCE area and eventually produced a joint action plan to that end. 

“The Model OSCE brings together youth from all over the country and gives them the opportunity to interact and to get to know each other,” said Lajos Karakas, manager of the Model OSCE project. “I was impressed by the active participation by the students and their keen interest to learn about conflict resolution, negotiations, diplomacy and the OSCE. I hope that young people from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru get together and build a common space through these projects.”

The aim of the Model OSCE is to build confidence and strengthen dialogue between young women and men from both sides of the Dniester/Nistru River. The Model OSCE project was first implemented by the OSCE Mission to Moldova in 2013 and has been held every year since then.