On 4 November 2025, the OSCE Academy in Bishkek welcomed Mr. Santeri Leinonen, Special Representative on Youth, Peace and Security of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO), and Ms. Marjo Kaller, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Finland to the OSCE. The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Guljamal Tokombaeva, National Programme Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB).
Meeting with the Academy Management
The delegation met with Dr. Shairbek Dzhuraev, Deputy Director of the OSCE Academy, and Ms. Victoria Orazova, Head of the International Department. The meeting provided an opportunity to brief the guests on the Academy’s mandate, activities, and current priorities.
Dr. Dzhuraev and Ms. Orazova outlined the Academy’s three Master’s programmes as a key contribution to building a new generation of professionals in the region. They also presented the Academy’s international partnerships, alumni network (over 700 graduates across 30 countries), and its active portfolio of research and training initiatives.
The discussion further addressed Finland’s longstanding support for the OSCE Academy and explored opportunities for future collaboration, including establishing stronger connections with Finnish academic institutions engaged in peace, security, and conflict-resolution studies.
Round Table on Youth Policies in Central Asia
Following the meeting, the delegation joined the Round Table on Youth Policies in Central Asia, moderated by Dr. Shairbek Dzhuraev. The event gathered students from the Academy’s MA programmes, who presented country-specific perspectives on youth policies and civic engagement. Mr. Leinonen introduced the Finnish CiO’s priorities on Youth, Peace and Security, followed by student contributions on:
• “Youth Policy in Kyrgyzstan” – Ms Saikal Sakmamatova
• “Personal Experience of Being a Youth Activist” – Ms Emira Seidenalieva
• “Youth Policy in Kazakhstan” – Ms Aigerim Assanova
• “Youth Policy in Turkmenistan” – Mr Abror Nosirov
• “Youth Policy in Uzbekistan” – Mr Fazliddin Urokov
Student presentations outlined the legal and political aspects of youth policies across Central Asian states and included personal experiences as youth activists, highlighting both achievements and areas for improvement. The follow-up discussion covered the nature of the Special Representative’s work within the OSCE framework, the potential relevance of Nordic regional cooperation on youth for Central Asia, the engagement of youth in Afghanistan, and youth involvement in addressing climate-related challenges.