Master Students in Economic Governance and Development learn about the OSCE within the Special Module

From 3 till 12 November the OSCE Academy held a special module on the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the new cohort of students in the MA Programme in Economic Governance and Development. The module aimed to widen and deepen the students’ understanding of the key goals, principles and values of the OSCE. Dr. Diana Digol, Deputy Head of the Programme Office in Nur Sultan, was coordinating the module, with valuable contributions made by representatives from the OSCE executive structures. With all the limitations brought by the COVID-19 crises, compelling the Academy to continue the education process online, there is also a positive outcome, as students can benefit from multiple meetings with high-level professionals and experts, who are able to join the module virtually.

The first day of the Module was opened with a video message of Ambassador Tuula Yrjölä, Officer in Charge/Secretary General and Director of OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre. “The OSCE Academy is a flagship project of the Organization, meaning that it is considered by all participating States to be one of the most important projects that the OSCE has. The Academy promotes the OSCE principles and values through postgraduate education, professional training, research and the academic exchange. And I think that it is a marvelous combination to demonstrate the OSCE’s commitment to supporting the role of youth in the peace and security agenda,”- said Ambassador Yrjölä, and provided an overview of the work of the Organization.

Following the opening, Dr. Digol introduced the Module agenda and definitions and abbreviations used in the OSCE. The Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan, Ambassador György Szabó, also welcomed students and talked about the functions and importance of OSCE Field Operations. The first day was concluded with a presentation by the Secretariat representatives, Ms. Margaret Osdoby Katz, Strategic Planning and Resource Mobilisation Co-ordinator, and Ms. Anastasia Fusco, Adviser on Youth and Security, covering the historical development of the Organization as well as the present work of the Headquarters.

In the following days students met more current OSCE officials from the Secretariat, OSCE Institutions, and Field Missions and learned about the activities across three OSCE dimensions.

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