Student visit to the Headquarters of OSCE in Vienna 2009

As a continuation of the one day study-visits, Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic, organized the 71st external event in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna for all 5th semester and master students of the Export-Oriented Management.

At 8:45 all students entered the OSCE after having passed the security check and were led into the “Rat Saal” which is an impressive meeting hall decorated with flags of all member countries. Brochures of the OSCE, writing material and refreshment were already prepared for all participants.

Susanna Lööf, the Press and Public Information Officer, opened the event in the “Rat Saal” with giving a brief introduction of the OSCE´s historical background, structure, financing, scope of work, its goals and mission.

To sum Susanna Lööf´s speech up, the OSCE works for stability, prosperity and democracy in its 56 member states through political dialogue about shared values and through practical work. The Organization´s members span the geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostok and enjoy a legal status. The OSCE is the largest regional security organization in the world and it is a primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post- conflict rehabilitation. Furthermore it is engaged with a wide range of activities related to three dimensions of security: the Human, the Politico-Military and the Economic-Environmental. Actually it has 19 missions or field operations in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

After this detailed insight into the OSCE, students had the pleasure to observe the Permanent Council proceedings which take place on a regular basis, every Wednesday at 10 o´clock in the “Neuer Saal” in Vienna. The Permanent Council is made up by the ambassadors of the organization´s 56 members and 11 partners for Co-operation. The Permanent council is the political decision-making body and the forum for security co-operation where military and confidence-building matters are discussed.

For the 12th of November the following agenda was set:
• OSCE Representative to the Latvian-Russian Joint Commission on Military Pensioners
• Report by the Co-Chairmen of the Minsk Group
• Report by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on the Conflict dealt with the OSCE Minsk Conference
• Review of Current Issues
• Report on the Activities of the Chairman-in-Office
• Report of the Secretary General
• Any other Business

In the third part of the study trip Kilian Strauss, the Senior Programme Officer, opened his speech about the OSCE´s Economic and Environmental Activities which have always been an integral part of the OSCE agenda, reflecting the organization´s comprehensive approach to security. He presented a general overview of Environmental Problems such as water management and Economic Problems like corruption, money laundering and financial terrorism, closed borders, illegal migration. In addition Kilian Strauss talked about the Economic & Environmental Forum and gave an insight into the Anti Corruption Activities and Mélange Disposal.

After the official part of the event, Susanna Lööf and Kilian Strauss invited the students to ask questions and answered all arisen questions about corruption, financing and current affairs. Finally the 71st study trip was closed with a group picture in the “Rat Saal” and in front of the Hofburg.

Text: Elisabeth S.
Photos: Petra H.