University students take on diplomats' role at Model OSCE in Belgrade

BELGRADE, 3 March 2009 - About 80 university students from throughout Serbia who played the roles of OSCE diplomats during the country's first Model OSCE today concluded two days of negotiations on two mock security scenarios in Belgrade.

The students played the roles of the OSCE participating States delegations and OSCE officials. They reached consensus on how to act in the face of both scenarios, one focusing on environmental matters and one on energy security.

"The OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization. Getting young people involved and giving them a chance to learn about the OSCE's structures and decision-making process is very beneficial both for them and Serbia," said the acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ruth Van Rhijn.

The Model OSCE conference, organized by the OSCE Mission and the Zikic Foundation, featured opening and closing speeches by representatives of several Serbian ministries as well as Ambassadors and diplomats of some OSCE participating States. The students played out a session of the Permanent Council, a weekly meeting during which ambassadors from the 56 participating States discuss developments and make decisions.

Belgrade University student Anna Marija Popovic, a member of the Model OSCE Press and Public Information Unit, said the interaction with government members, diplomats and ambassadors as well as to negotiate with her fellow-students was highly motivating.

"I think it pushed us all to work a bit harder at getting to consensus," she added.