GYUMRI, Armenia, 1 May, 2015 – Sixty young, aspiring Ambassadors gathered today in Gyumri to discuss the challenges addressed by a simulation of the OSCE Permanent Council. The Model OSCE Conference organized by the Office in Yerevan brought together young people from Armenia’s Shirak province in an effort to find solutions to a wide range of issues, including environmental threats, migration pressures, economic instability and political conflict.
“The Model OSCE has become a tradition in Armenia,” stated Oliver McCoy, a Democratization Officer with the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “I am impressed with this year’s participants. The presentation and negotiation skills featured during this conference give me the feeling that Armenia’s future diplomatic corps will be top notch.”
The discussions during the two-day conference will focus on human rights, migration and environmental problems and relations between the imaginary neighbouring countries of Gavania, Darilia and Amaria. This experience will give participants, aged 18-25, the opportunity to suggest new solutions to real security challenges and expand their knowledge of the OSCE as a comprehensive security actor.
Before taking part in the event, participants received practical training in strategic multilateral negotiation and public speaking, and attended workshops on OSCE institutions and activities. The Conference is a good opportunity for participants to test their newly acquired skills and get a better understanding of the OSCE’s main decision making body.
Siranush Serobyan, a student playing the role of the Ambassador of the imaginary country of Amaria, said: “The OSCE Model Conference gave me the opportunity to learn more about international organizations, as well as understand the interests of states in the international arena. I also had the chance to get new skills and experience in practicing diplomacy and learn how to have an objective approach to the interests of my partners”.