OSCE launches the “Debating Perspectives 2030 Roadshow”, engaging young women and men in shaping a vision for a safer future

The OSCE and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) launched the “Debating Perspectives 2030 Roadshow” on 30 October 2020, a series of online and in-person events bringing together talented young women and men in shaping a vision for a safer future. The Roadshow, under which many events are planned across the OSCE region, held its first online discussion in Albania.

The Roadshows will focus on the findings of the “Engaging Youth for a Safer Future” discussion paper, which was produced by the OSCE Perspectives 2030 Core Group of Experts in 2019. This Core Group was comprised of 22 young women and men, who reflect the geographical diversity of the OSCE area, and came from a wide range of professional backgrounds including academia, civil society, policy-making, and the media.

“Continuing to promote dialogue with young women and men is one of the pillars of the OSCE’s work with and for youth”, said Ambassador Luca Fratini, Director of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General. “Cultural exchange and co-operation is essential to creating the conditions for positive change in society and to advancing security.”

The opening event brought together more than 40 young experts and students from across Albania. It was hosted by the OSCE Presence in Albania, actively involving its Youth Advisory Group (YAG) in the event’s design, planning and organization.

“I see the Roadshow as a process that will help youth get involved in deciding about their future, starting from right now. It is great to see young people from several OSCE participating States contributing as experts for a better future for all,” said Harris Meçolli, Co-ordinator of the YAG.

“The Roadshow is important for bringing in even more perspectives from across the region,” said Alexandra Dienes of the FES Regional Office for Co-operation and Peace in Europe. “As a think-tank, we try to bring back into the political discourse issues that are important for younger generations.”

The “Debating Perspectives 2030 Roadshow” is promoted through an extra-budgetary project of the OSCE Office of the Secretary General, with support from Andorra, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia and Switzerland.