Greater youth participation in decision-making needed, says Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 13 November 2012 - The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, urged today at a conference greater involvement of young people in decision-making and policy creation.

“Young people in Kosovo have started to identify their needs and concerns, and to communicate those to the institutions, including through the OSCE-supported youth action councils,” said Schlumberger. “However, we all need to take youth participation to the next level and involve young people in the actual decision-making processes by giving them a say in the long-term planning and the creation of policies.”

Schlumberger made the remarks at a conference organized by the Mission, bringing together representatives of 33 Local Youth Action Councils, and central- and local-level government officials, to review successes, identify challenges, and define youth engagement priorities for 2013. 

“The fact that the Councils are now regularly meeting with the municipal representatives and that many municipalities were willing to finance at least some youth-related activities, are positive signs,” said Schlumberger. “I am also encouraged by the number of voluntary activities initiated and carried out by the youth councils.”

“At the same time, more can be done to step up regular interaction between local institutions and youth representatives, and to better represent views and interests of young people in the municipal planning and budgeting processes.”

Schlumberger added that the OSCE would continue to support the youth councils and local institutions in promoting youth participation and volunteerism.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human rights protection and promotion, democratization and security and public safety sector development. It hosted its first conference on youth empowerment in 2011. The Mission supported the establishment of central- and local youth action councils in Kosovo, and is engaged in their further development.