Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, 2023 recipient of the Gender Equality Leadership Award

Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, the OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats and 2023 recipient of the Gender Equality Leadership Award, has been a gender champion for change throughout her distinguished diplomatic career.

In 2019, Alena received the OSCE’s White Ribbon Award, nominated by participating States’ delegations for exceptional work in promoting gender equality.

At the OSCE Secretariat, she leads a diverse team within the Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) since 2020 and deals with an equally diverse portfolio.

Originally from Minsk, Belarus, Alena trained as a lawyer and has a Doctorate in Law. Before joining the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she worked as a Research Fellow at the Institute of Philosophy and Law at the Belarusian Academy of Sciences. During her long diplomatic career, Alena rose to become Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing her country at the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Agreement that established the OSCE.

Her professional achievements are numerous and impressive, and she remembers her first exposure to the OSCE and its work fondly.

“It was truly exciting to see closely how 57 participating States from across the globe work together to generate a consensus that translates into more security, accountability, and confidence-building. Being part of such processes makes one understand how much effort and dedication it takes to ensure cohesion between decision-making and implementation aimed at generating positive change and lasting impact.”

Throughout her career, Ambassador Kupchyna has worked tirelessly to place gender equality at the heart of her professional efforts.

“Sustainable peace is not possible without a gender-inclusive approach,” she says.

The results of her work can be seen in the long list of projects she has secured in her time as Co-ordinator, such as the project on enhancing criminal justice capacities for combating gender-based violence in South-Eastern Europe. Her team’s innovative work to increase the participation of women at all levels of policing in the Montenegro police has become something of a template for other participating States. Uzbekistan is currently rolling out a similar scheme with support from Alena and her team.

Ambassador Kupchyna is unwavering in making gender mainstreaming a pivotal component of every programme and project she supervises. Under her supervision, TNTD produces regular internal gender reports, and the entire staff has completed mandatory gender training courses.

She recognizes that diversity and inclusion not only enrich her team, but ultimately support the implementation of the overall mission of the Organization.

“We all come from different countries and regions of the world, and we bring in our own cultures, traditions and languages. This requires a profound understanding of our differences, but it also improves our work, as decisions are based on the views and perspectives of all,” she says.

Alena naturally acts as a focal point, inspiration and champion for her younger colleagues. Yet, she is clear that her achievements come from hard work and dedication.

“Success is not possible without tenuous efforts and perseverance,” she says.

“The best human resources are committed and well-prepared in their field of study or work. I would recommend women to dare more, focus more on what they can offer and apply for international positions, even when they think their experience does not precisely match what is required. And, of course, be professional and creative,” she suggests.

Her own personal principle has always been to aim high and not fear taking risks.

Alena has a code of ethics she holds dear and advises all her colleagues to adopt the following: “Firstly, have respect for others - this is the basis of team-building. Secondly, maintain a clear work ethic and adopt a personal mission statement. Thirdly, show professional integrity. Your values should reflect your personality. Lastly, show empathy and compassion and believe in yourself,” she proudly states.

Alena has seen history written in her lifetime. She has been advocating for women’s equality throughout her entire professional career. Her pride in working for the OSCE in a senior leadership role shines through in her every action: “The OSCE places gender equality as a high priority. It is one of the few international organizations that creates real, positive impact on the ground. We work for people by supporting national authorities and civil society to enhance capacities and thereby produce positive changes,” she says.