Narrowing Socio-Economic Disparities

Building on the 2003 OSCE Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension, the OSCE commitments call on participating States to rethink development towards more inclusive and sustainable approaches. The commitments acknowledge that “deepening economic and social disparities, [….] widespread poverty and high unemployment are among the factors that contribute to global threats” and suggest to promote human capital development through quality education and lifelong learning; ensure equitable working conditions and economic empowerment; and support effective legal migration policies and labour mobility.

Mandate

• OSCE Maastricht Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension, 2003 Brussels
• Permanent Council Decision No. 557 (2003) OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Section IV “Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings”, paragraphs 3, 7, and 12
• Permanent Council Decision, 2003 (CTHB Action Plan)
• Ljiubljana Ministerial Council Decision Migration, 2005
• Athens Ministerial Council Decision Migration Management, 2009
• Vilnius Ministerial Council Decision on Women Economic Empowerment, 2011
• Hamburg Ministerial Council Decision on the Role of the OSCE on the governance of large movements of refugees and migrants, 2016
• Hamburg Ministerial Council Decision on Strengthening Good Governance and Promoting Connectivity, 2016
• Vienna Ministerial Council Decision on Economic Participation, 2017
• Milan Ministerial Council Decision on Human Capital Development in the Digital Era, 2018
• Milan Ministerial Council Declaration on the Digital Economy as a Driver for Promoting Co-operation, Security and Growth, 2018

Role of the OSCE

In supporting the implementation of the above commitments aimed at tackling socio-economic disparities, the OCEEA focuses on the following key areas of action:

• Promoting upskilling and reskilling of the labour force to counteract the adverse consequences of digitalization on the quality and quantity of jobs;
• Supporting an eco-system for innovative business models, with a special attention on social enterprises;
• Enhancing effective, comprehensive and fact-based legal migration policies.

To this end, the OCEEA fosters knowledge transfer and offers capacity development to improve the understanding of relevant challenges and possible ways to address them; facilitates policy-relevant dialogue to promote reforms and enable legal and operational frameworks; and promotes bilateral and regional co-operation as an essential method to address challenges that are global in nature. Throughout its actions, the OCEEA pays special attention to groups at risk of marginalization, such as women, youth, migrants, ethnic minorities.

In its endeavour, OCEEA co-operates with a wide range of stakeholders, including state and local authorities, international and regional organizations, civil society actors, social parties, the private sector, academia and think tanks. OCEEA is part of international and regional forums and a member of expert working groups pertinent to its mandate and activities.