OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Holds Conference on Long-Term Social Cohesion in South-Eastern Europe
Photo: OSCE
On 7 July 2023, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) in cooperation with the Chairpersonship of North Macedonia held a high-level conference in Vienna. The conference was devoted to examining achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in promoting long-term social cohesion in South-Eastern Europe, and was one of a series of events organized around the 30th anniversary of the HCNM.
The conference brought together representatives of OSCE participating states, practitioners, officials from international organizations, academics and experts in the field. They discussed the work of the HCNM in relation to conflict prevention and identified new challenges related to national minorities. Conference participants also shared best practices related to positive integration and sustainable social cohesion. The role of gender, youth, and civil society were also discussed.
“Thirty years since the first High Commissioner took office, the success of the OSCE’s work and its impact on the lives of people across the region is clear. The combination of the role of the High Commissioner, along with the OSCE’s strong network of field operations, excellent partnerships with host authorities, local-level engagement, and the ability to partner with civil society and youth, provides a key tool to support social cohesion and foster positive, sustainable change for the people of South-Eastern Europe,’’ stated OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid.
More information about the conference can be found on the website of the OSCE.
