Central Europe

VIENNA/SKOPJE, 8 October 2023 — The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, will visit Turkmenistan on 9 October to meet with high-level government officials, parliamentarians and civil society.

In Ashgabat, Chairman Osmani will meet the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the People's Council Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairperson of Mejlis (the Parliament) Dunyagozel Gulmanova, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov.

Throughout the visit, Chairman Osmani will also meet with OSCE field operations staff and civil society representatives.

For more information about the 2023 OSCE Chairmanship of North Macedonia, please visit the OSCE website: https://www.osce.org/chairmanship.

554500 Marina Živaljević

Intelligence-led policing, which utilizes data to conduct police operations, is an increasingly valued resource in combatting crime, was at the heart of the workshop the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized for 17 police officers of the Police Directorate’s Criminal Intelligence Division from 2 to 6 October in Podgorica.

Experts from the Montenegrin Police Directorate presented the new criminal-intelligence model in police work, while the training course equipped participants with analytical and training skills to further train their police counterparts. Participants discussed, among others, role-based information/intelligence access control concept, data access protection scheme, standards for creation, entry and quality control of operational information, modification and deletion of analytical information, as well as linking information.

Toni Škrinjar, Mission’s Organized Crime Police Adviser, said that intelligence-led policing has a significant role in investigating serious and organized crime. “Police officers must collect and analyse large amounts of information, verify accuracy of their sources and prepare objective reports. High-quality analysts and the co-operation of the entire team is key,” said Škrinjar.

Ivan Jokić, Head of the Criminal Intelligence Unit, thanked the OSCE Mission for its continuous support in the implementation of the intelligence-led policing project. He said that they are aware of the necessity to work proactively, to gather, but also share information, so that they can have more quality feedback and protect both citizens and police officers.

The workshop was part of the Mission’s long-term support to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of Montenegrin police to prevent and combat serious and organized crime.

554485 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The situation of human rights defenders forced to work outside their countries to avoid danger or persecution at home was the topic of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human rights (ODIHR) on 5 October 2023 in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

"Human rights defenders play a legitimate and important role in our societies,” said Andrew Gardner, ODIHR’s Deputy Head of the Human Rights Department. “It is essential that they can operate in a free and safe environment when this does not exist in their own countries.”

Experts and representatives of civil society, some who had themselves relocated to safer countries, shared their assessments of the needs of human rights defenders in exile, including rapid access to safe third countries, overall safety and a secure legal status, and their ability to continue their human rights work.

Participants stressed the importance of being able to form associations, seek and receive funding and travel as part of their human rights work. They also discussed the impact of being uprooted on human rights defenders’ well-being.

“Defenders are determined to continue their human rights work,” said Tamar Beria of the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR). “But states and donor organizations must do more to make this work viable in the long term by tackling pervasive issues such as visa access, inflexible funding and a lack of institutional support.”   

Participants stressed that decision-makers must address protection gaps which exist for exiled human rights defenders and ensure the fulfilment of their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Željka Šulc

TUZLA, 06 October 2023 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes adoption of the curriculum for the subject "Romani Language and Culture" in Tuzla Canton. This is a momentous step not only for Tuzla Canton but for Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole, demonstrating a commitment to embracing diversity and promoting cultural understanding.

The Mission congratulates the Tuzla Canton Ministry of Education and Science, the Tuzla Canton Pedagogical Institute, and the Tuzla-based Roma NGOs "EuroRom" and "Bolja budućnost" for achieving this important milestone.

This subject represents a significant contribution to creating an inclusive and non-discriminatory educational environment and upholding the rights of national minorities.

The Mission recognizes that this development and the curriculum itself align with the values and principles that the Mission actively supports.

The adoption of this curriculum is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, government institutions, civil society and international organizations work together to promote diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect.

As such, this also serves as an invaluable model for other educational institutions aiming to increase their own inclusivity, and the Mission remains prepared to support others in following this example.

We are excited about the positive impact this curriculum will have on the future generations of students in Tuzla Canton and look forward to its successful implementation in classrooms.

The Mission remains dedicated to supporting educational authorities across Bosnia and Herzegovina in ensuring inclusive and high-quality education for all children.

SKOPJE, 6 October – OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, expressing serious concerns, calls for increased international support and humanitarian relief for the over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians that have found refuge in the Republic of Armenia.  Humanitarian needs must remain the top priority and the international donor community should continue to actively demonstrate solidarity and responsibility sharing to assist Armenia as its government responds to this unfolding humanitarian crisis. 

OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani took note of the visit by UN representatives to Khankendi/Stepanakert on 1 October and believes that continued engagement by the international community would contribute to stabilizing the situation on the ground and efforts toward sustainable peace.

Discussions regarding international involvement on the ground should continue, as an independent international observation mission would bring confidence and reassurance to those who want to return.

OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani notes the public statements by Azerbaijan on the integration of the Armenian population and prospects for the return of the displaced population. Safeguarding the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, in line with its OSCE commitments, is Azerbaijan’s responsibility.

The use of force over diplomatic negotiation to settle disputes is always unacceptable and hinders prospects for dignified and inclusive peace. 

Chairman-in-Office Osmani supports the continuation of political processes towards a peace treaty between the countries. 

The OSCE and its relevant structures, within their mandate, stand ready to contribute to this process in line with the Organization’s values and commitments to achieve just, durable, dignified and inclusive peace in the region.

554443 Bishkek, 6 October 2023 - Participants of the Training on E-Commerce and Government Export Policy Facilitated by OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic Chyngyz Zhanybekov

Bishkek, 6-7 October 2023 - The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic in partnership with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek organized a training on E-Commerce and government policy issues in the field of exports. The training brought together representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, National Agency for Investments and Kyrgyzstan’s prominent Business Associations.

The training honed in on the synergy between E-Commerce and government policies, specifically related to export promotion. Discussions centered on global E-Commerce trends, particularly in markets strategically linked to the Kyrgyz Republic, such as the Eurasian Economic Union members, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and the EU countries.

Real-world case studies demonstrated state support for exporters, showcasing practical solutions. Notably, participants engaged in brainstorming sessions to devise innovative services for international E-Commerce platforms.

As part of the wider OSCE project on Trade Facilitation and Export Promotion, the training supports the Kyrgyz Republic in navigating international trade complexities, thereby fostering economic growth and sustainability.

554371 Kishan Manocha, Head of the ODIHR Tolerance and Non-Discrimination department, addressing participants in an ODIHR event on addressing online hate in the age of artificial intelligence. Warsaw, 5 October 2023. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative technology that offers opportunities for societies across the OSCE region, but without effective regulation can also endanger human rights. If the risks are not addressed when AI tools are developed, online hate can proliferate, warned participants at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 5 October 2023.

Held on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference – organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with the support of ODIHR – the event brought together experts in the field of technology and tolerance and non-discrimination, state officials and civil society representatives from across the OSCE region to discuss measures to address online hate and its impact in the real world.

“AI has great possibilities within the field of understanding and detecting antisemitism and all forms of intolerance,” said Melissa Mott, Director of Antisemitism, Holocaust, and Genocide Education, Echoes and Reflections, at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “Uncovering AI’s potential will require actions aimed at strengthening media literacy skills, in particular in the education system, so that young people are better equipped to address the challenges.”

During the event, participants discussed the use of AI to develop online content and explored strategies that governments and civil society can adopt to address intolerance and hate in the online space.

Participants highlighted the impact of AI in generating and spreading online hatred, its corrosive effects on societies, and its potential for inspiring hate-motivated attacks in real life. At the same time, they noted, civil society actors can harness the positive potential of generative AI to create and disseminate prosocial messaging and work with young technologists to tackle intolerance and hate in an unprecedented way. 

ODIHR convenes the experiences and knowledge of experts, practitioners and change-makers from across the 57 States of the OSCE to develop targeted tools and resources to address hate and exclusion. The resulting dialogue is essential in shaping and guiding efforts to foster open, equal and inclusive societies throughout the OSCE region.

554425 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Work to counter anti-religious hate crime must safeguard communities from hate-motivated crimes, and at the same time cultivate an environment in which religious or belief communities can flourish, said participants at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 5 October 2023.

The event took place on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with the support of ODIHR.

“Hate crimes can have a devastating impact on targeted communities. To effectively counter anti-religious hate, policies and genuine dialogue are needed to foster mutual respect and understanding,” said Kishan Manocha, Head of the ODIHR Tolerance and Non-Discrimination department. “This approach will not only allow individuals and communities to live lives free from hate, but to actually thrive”.

The event brought together representatives of religious and belief communities and experts to discuss the situation of anti-religious hate crime in the OSCE area. The discussions focused on OSCE states’ commitments to address anti-religious intolerance, including hate crimes motivated by bias against Christians, Jews, Muslims and members of other religions. Participants debated good practices in the area of combating hate crime, as well as on addressing the impact of crimes motivated by multiple biases, for instance, when victims are targeted for both their religion and gender.

Participants highlighted the importance of engaging with the communities most affected by such crimes to identify their security needs. They also underscored the need for authorities to demonstrate real commitment to protecting freedom of religion or belief for all – including by swiftly condemning anti-religious hate crimes – in order to build trust and establish the authorities’ primary role in tackling such crimes. They concluded that meaningful co-operation and communication with targeted communities should be central to States’ efforts to build equal, open and inclusive societies.

During the event, ODIHR presented its programmes, resources and tools for use by OSCE participating States and civil society to address anti-religious hate, in particular ODIHR’s Hate Crime Report, a collection of data and information on hate crimes in the OSCE area.

554359 Marina Živaljević

Through continuous support the OSCE Mission to Montenegro has provided to the country’s Forensic Centre, with today’s provision of software licenses and technical equipment for its Digital Forensic Unit, this institution is now better equipped to process digital evidence stored on mobile device and therefore to help advance police investigations into serious and organized crime.

On 5 October, Head of Mission Dominique Waag met with the Forensic Centre’s director, Dr. Sandra Kovačević in Danilovgrad, to discuss the continuation of Mission’s support in the coming years.

“We are pleased to see that the 15-years-long support of the Mission has helped the Forensic Centre to implement new methods of investigation of serious crimes and extend the range of services, as well as the quality and the number of cases processed. Through this strong partnership, the Forensic Centre has evolved into a regional centre where its work is recognized and accepted in courts, not only in Montenegro, but across the region and in Europe,” said Ambassador Waag.

Director Kovačević expressed gratitude for the longstanding support from the Mission and said “that with the Mission’s support, including the provision of training and equipment, the Forensic Centre has new and more sophisticated methods of investigation, increasing the quality and the number of cases processed”.

Ambassador Waag added that she was particularly pleased that the Forensic Centre is headed by Dr. Kovačević, a capable and reputable scientist. “The OSCE Mission is committed to seeing more women in high-ranking positions in the Montenegrin Police,” said she.

The preparation for the upcoming eighth regional conference of forensic centres, supported by the Mission, which will take place next week in Budva, was also discussed.

The Mission remains committed to continuing its support to the Forensic Centre of Montenegro in providing the scientific evidence necessary to serious crime.

554341 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The role of women in strengthening peace and security and the human rights of women in Central Asia were the topics of discussion at the annual Women’s Power Breakfast organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 5 October 2023. The breakfast took place at the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, convened by the OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with ODIHR’s support.

“The human rights of women and girls are at the heart of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. It is about the right of women and girls to live free from violence, including during conflicts and crises,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci, who also stressed the crucial role of civil society in upholding women’s rights and security.

Speakers included Fatmire Isaki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, North Macedonia, as well as women human rights defenders from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and international experts from the UN and OSCE, who discussed the importance of supporting women from civil society and women human rights defenders in their work.

“Women often find themselves marginalized and excluded from positions of influence and power, which hinders their ability to advocate for their rights effectively,” said Aiman Umarova, a panellist and defence attorney from Kazakhstan. “Traditional gender norms and stereotypes still prevail, relegating women to a secondary status in society”.

ODIHR has been active in promoting women’s public and political participation across the OSCE region and has developed a number of tools to assist governments, parliaments, security sector institutions and civil society in this process.

554347 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

An OSCE-organized seminar on the modernization of customs mechanisms and strengthening export procedures took place in Ashgabat from 3 to 5 October 2023.

Held in a blended format, the three-day event brought together representatives of the State Customs Service, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Affairs, the Central Bank and commercial banks, Turkmenbashi International Sea Port, and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs as well as other relevant institutions.

The seminar presented best practices of the OSCE participating States in aligning customs mechanisms with relevant international standards, and facilitated discussions on advancing regulatory mechanisms governing export procedures.

The agenda included topics ranging from the digitalization of customs procedures to the development of the system of port communities and WTO tariff policy.

“The OSCE attaches great importance to addressing the growing need to maintain and further develop regional and international economic ties, including by facilitating trade, accelerating economic development and growth, diversifying value-added exports, and ultimately building regionally diversified economies,” said John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

  Participants emphasized the importance of a strong regulatory framework in international trade, and shared their views on customs oversight in free economic zones and free trade zones. The seminar also addressed export documentation, trade facilitation and single window measures.

Over the past several years, the OSCE Center in Ashgabat has been increasingly active in co-operating with the Government of Turkmenistan in the area of economic connectivity, trade facilitation, advancing customs procedures and improving export mechanisms.

554329 For Media inquires

On 3 and 4 October 2023, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana together with the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan supported a visit of representatives from the verification centres of 25 OSCE participating States to the 604th Air Base and 37th Air Assault Brigade in Taldykorgan city. The visit aims to support the implementation of Kazakhstan’s commitment in fulfilling international obligations under Section 4 “Contacts” of the Vienna Document 2011 on confidence- and security-building measures, according to which an OSCE participating State invites and organizes visits to one of its conventional air bases and military facilities in any five-year period. Additionally, the event gave opportunity to verify information in accordance with the data exchanged during the annual exchange of military information, provided by the Republic of Kazakhstan as of January 2023.

Among over 50 participants were military officers, officials of the OSCE Secretariat Conflict Prevention Centre and the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. During the visit, participants familiarized themselves with daily and long-term activities of the military facilities, including training and maintenance operations, observe the presentation and demonstration of military hardware, including weaponry, as well as verify provided information and foster its exchange.

“The planned visit to the Taldykorgan air base and military facility is not only a demonstration of the technical aspects of Kazakhstan’s armed forces, but also a symbol of its efforts to build trust and co-operation. It emphasizes transparency and openness in the country’s actions, which is important for developing mutual understanding among OSCE participating States,” said Dr. Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana during the opening ceremony of this event.

On behalf of the visitors’ group, its spokesperson German Brigadier General Michael Shoy noted full compliance of Kazakhstan’s Air Defence Forces with the specific verification requirements under Vienna Document 2011. Overall, the visit marked a significant milestone in advancing confidence and security-building measures within the framework of the Vienna Document 2011.

554317

Strengthening the capacities, increasing transparency and promoting good governance in the public procurement in Albania was the aim of a project run from the OSCE Presence from 1 September 2020 until 30 September 2023. The three-year project was financed by the governments of Italy, France and Slovakia.

In close co-operation with the Albanian Public Procurement Agency and the Albanian School of Public Administration, the Presence supported the drafting of a new comprehensive multi-module curriculum on public procurement. The document covered the legislative framework and various aspects of public procurement procedures, with an enhanced focus on integrity and risk management tools, which are essential for an efficient and effective use of public funds.

As part of the project, 19 experts participated in a 10-day training-of-trainers intensive capacity development programme. They are now part of the ASPA pool of trainers that will provide continues training to about 2,000 public procurement officials across the country. The first training for 120 public procurement officials was piloted from June to September 2023.

The Presence also partnered with Hertie School of Governance in Berlin and the Albanian Institute of Science to facilitate technical discussions and independent research to identify risks and prevent corruption in targeted public procurement sectors, providing relevant recommendations to the stakeholders to improve the operational and policy framework.

Additionally, with the active involvement of civil society, the project focused on increasing awareness on transparent procurement and need for effective anti-corruption measures. This was done through different fora, which promoted the idea of data transparency as a cornerstone for independent oversight.

The project concluded in September 2023 with a consultative meeting with the main stakeholders and beneficiaries. The participants discussed lessons learned during the project implementation and concrete suggestions and recommendations for the institutions on how to sustain the project results.

The OSCE Presence remains committed to support the Albanian institutions and civil society with technical assistance and expertise to advance the anti-corruption reform in the country and strengthen economic governance.

WARSAW 4 October 2023 – Today, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro launched the new Guidelines for monitoring online violence against female journalists at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference. The Guidelines provide a systematic monitoring and reporting system aiming to better protect women journalists and prevent online violence from escalating.

“Gender-based online attacks against women journalists are to the detriment of us all, to every individual’s right to information, and to the very fabric of our democratic societies,” Teresa Ribeiro stated in her opening remarks. “I am convinced that these Monitoring Guidelines will become a key mechanism in the prevention and protection of such terrible attacks.”

The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Pia Kauma, stressed the importance of collective action in tackling gender-based online attacks.

"[The guidelines] are an important tool to identify an escalation of online violence targeting women journalists. This is an issue of high interest for OSCE Parliamentarians, as we strive to advance gender equality within our countries and the OSCE region as a whole.But effective solutions require strong co-operation at multiple levels. I am glad that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media have developed over the years an excellent partnership on this topic. Actively sharing new tools, experiences, and lessons learned, is what can bring us closer to gender equality in the OSCE,” President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Pia Kauma said.

During the event, the lead author, Julie Posetti, Deputy Vice President and Global Director of Research at ICFJ and Professor of Journalism at City University in London, presented the new Guidelines together with the two other authors, Nabeelah Shabbir, freelance journalist and a Senior Research Associate at ICFJ, and Diana Maynard, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield. The tool includes a set of 15 research-derived indicators for online violence escalation, a gendered online violence typology, and examples of violations mapped to international codes and standards.  

“Our research has confirmed a causal relationship between online violence towards female journalists and offline harm, and it is essential that we work to stem the escalation of digital threats before they morph into physical violence. Online violence needs to be understood as both a serious threat to the safety of female journalists and a potential trigger for, and predictor of, broader attacks,” Posetti said.

The award-winning investigative journalist Inga Springe, founder of The Baltic Center for Investigative Journalism Re:Baltica, shared her personal experiences of online harassment, echoing the importance and urgency of countering online violence against women, as an important step to safeguarding democracy.

The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including government, media, and civil society, for a discussion on countering online violence against female journalists.

More information about the event can be found here: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/553951

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

554245

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan jointly with the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the NGO “In-service Training Centre for Journalists” is conducting a series of training courses on media literacy for prosecutors. The activity is organized within the framework of the "Promoting Rule of Law, Human Rights and Media Development” project.

Twenty six (nine female and seventeen male) officers of the Prosecutor's Office, including senior public relations and legal information assistants of the Prosecutor's Office Departments and senior inspectors of the Compulsory Enforcement Bureau under the General Prosecutor’s Office participated in the first training course held on 3-4 October 2023. In the course of the training, the participants discussed the challenges taking place in the contemporary media space, basic concepts and principles of media and information literacy, as well as explored methods of critical thinking in assessing the reliability and accuracy of information, cybersecurity issues and social networking algorithms. Much attention was also paid to the gender aspect of media literacy and the use of fact-checking platforms to counter fakes.

During the sessions, prosecutors shared their experience of co-operation with the media, discussed matters of malicious content on the Internet as well as considered issues related to the use of Artificial Intelligence, its positive and negative effects on the media. The Acting OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Sergei Sizov, noted that "The most important of various media literacy projects and initiatives throughout the OSCE region are those related to the development of mechanisms and platforms for close co-operation among all stakeholders, including government agencies, media organizations, business structures, academic institutions and NGOs".

554230

The OSCE awareness campaign on youth crime prevention and integrity, launched in June 2023, achieved the milestone of reaching one and a half million young people across Kyrgyzstan on 29 September 2023.

Featuring some of Kyrgyzstan’s leading influencers, bloggers, artists, youth activists and athletes, the campaign showcases the stories of these local celebrities and how they pursued their passions, built successful businesses and gave back to their communities, all while adhering to the values of lawfulness and integrity.

The campaign features Aigerim Akylbekova, a Kyrgyz journalist and activist, who reflects on her upbringing and the challenges of her childhood marked by high levels of unemployment. Aigerim shares how in the pursuit of a better life, some people opted for shortcuts, relying on bribery and corrupt activities.

“Since childhood I believed that I could achieve everything on my own without resorting to nepotism or bribes,” Aigerim says. “Often, people choose unjust ways to excel in life. Many do this out of desperation – coming from a life of difficulty. Still, this sets us all back. Change can only begin with zero tolerance for dishonesty and corruption,” she adds.

Meerim Tolepbergen, a Kyrgyz blogger with over one million Instagram followers, is also actively involved in the campaign. She discusses the key factors contributing to youth crime, drawing from her own experience as child of migrants. Children separated from their parents often grapple with self-doubt and may seek support from potentially harmful peer groups, she says, leading to possible involvement in organized crime. Meerim underscores the significance of addressing this issue and choosing a different path.

“I pursed arts and creativity, successfully auditioning and becoming the host of a musical TV programme. I believe in a bright future for all of us in Kyrgyzstan through education, honest work, and talent,” Meerim says.

The stories of Meerim and Aigerim, alongside the others in the campaign, aim to inspire and guide young people in Kyrgyzstan by offering real-life positive examples of those who have achieved their goals through legal, ethical, and productive methods.

The awareness campaign, organized by the OSCE’s Transnational Threat Department and Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, is part of the OSCE-wide multi-year project, “Enhancing Youth Crime and Drug Use Prevention through Education on Legality and Awareness Campaigns Addressing Threats of Organized Crime and Corruption”, funded by Germany. Other donors supporting this project are Andorra, Italy and Poland.

554218

On 28 and 29 September, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) delivered a capacity-building programme on open data for media professionals. The training, which was co-organized with the Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and took place at the PCUz office in Tashkent, gathered 23 journalists and bloggers.

The growing availability of open data in the country, including via the online publication of data-sets by government agencies, creates new opportunities for journalism and contributes to an increasing demand for data-based information.

The two-day training organized by the PCUz aimed to improve the skills of media community representatives in using open data. It also focused on developing practical skills in the collection, treatment and presentation of compelling and appealing media materials. In this regard, the participants were also trained on the use of modern tools for multimedia journalism and visualization.

By promoting a wider use of open data in journalism, the PCUz supports the production and distribution of fact-based, accurate and verifiable information. The PCUz also encourages citizens to critically engage with the content they consume.

The training is part of the project “Support to Good Governance Reforms”. In this framework, the PCUz assists national stakeholders in the development of an open data ecosystem in Uzbekistan in order to increase the transparency of public institutions and demonstrate the practical applicability of open data. 

554203 Marina Živaljević

In the framework of the OSCE project “Mitigation of Safety and Security Risks related to small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition in Montenegro”, the Head of the Mission to Montenegro, Dominique Waag, visited Brezovik military facility on 3 October, to see first-hand the results of the support provided by the Mission since 2007.

Major Dragan Rašković, Commander of Brezovik and Taraš ammunition sites, welcomed Ambassador Waag to the facility where she observed an ammunition inspection course conducted by the Austrian Armed Forces through the OSCE project.  The visit included a tour through an ammunition storage house.

“The OSCE appreciates the results of its long-term partnership with the Ministry of Defence, focused on reducing the risk of unplanned explosion at munitions sites and ensuring safe storage of small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition,” said Ambassador Waag.

She also met with Andreas Bloderer, representing the Austrian Military, the provider of capacity building training courses.

Through this project, 78 participants were trained on ammunition management. In addition, a further ten specialists from the Army, Air Force and Navy were trained on the handling and transportation of explosives, as well as the development of a rulebook to support Ministries of Defence and Interior establish a system to classify ammunition in Montenegro.

The Head of Mission concluded the visit by reemphasising the commitment from the Mission to assist in lifecycle management of ammunition for the benefit of all stakeholders.

This project is funded by the government of Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Montenegro, Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland.

Illustration from the cover of ODIHR's Handbook for the Observation of Election Administration. Illustration from the cover of ODIHR's Handbook for the Observation of Election Administration. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

As part of its ongoing efforts to develop and refine its election observation methodology, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) launched a new handbook on observing election administration on 3 October 2023, during the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

Election management bodies are one of the main guardians of democratic elections, and their activities are central to fostering public confidence in the election process. ODIHR election observation missions pay close attention to the work of election administration bodies, how they ensure transparency, accountability, independence and integrity in their work and how they help voters understand the process.

“We hope this new publication will be a valuable resource not only for election observers, but also for a wider audience, including election practitioners, in understanding how the activities of the election administration comply with cornerstone principles of democratic elections, from integrity and legality through effectiveness and transparency to accountability and inclusivity,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci.

The aim of the Handbook for the Observation of Election Administration is to guide ODIHR election observation missions on how to assess the administration of elections, and to provide those managing elections with a useful reference tool on the main principles, standards and commitments they should be upholding. These key measures ODIHR uses to assess the work of election management bodies across the OSCE region were the focus of today’s discussion. Participants benefited from the perspectives of election management practitioners and citizen observers who frequently work together to identify areas where the administration of the election can be improved.

The handbook is the latest in ODIHR’s continued efforts to assist States in fulfilling their commitment to democratic elections through the sharing of good practices.

554119

On 30 September, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) concluded a three-month-long, nation-wide small grants programme in Ukraine with the aim of supporting civil society organizations and the private sector in creating digital solutions addressing challenges related to the war. The programme, titled Open Data Unbroken, supports the use of open data to encourage civic participation through innovative technology approaches and tools, establish partnerships among various sectors, and enhance information exchange and networking among local authorities, grassroots initiatives, and public activists.

The programme, which aims to promote the development of a culture of innovation, transparency, and cooperation, included the provision of financial support, a mentoring programme, and access to a community of experts, thereby enabling IT specialists and developers to transform their innovative ideas into tangible solutions that drive positive change in Ukraine.

The three teams selected among 70 applicants each focused on some of the most pressing challenges in the country.  The first project, chatbot “Where is the shelter?”, aims to help citizens find the nearest air-raid shelter in Ukraine. Another chatbot, “Nazar”, assists internally displaced persons in integrating into new environments by searching for employment opportunities across different regions of Ukraine and by introducing a function to simplify and speed up the process of receiving compensation for destroyed housing. The third project, information aggregator “Plant varieties”, supports farmers in making informed decisions with the aim of recovering and revitalizing the agricultural sector.

“The successful conclusion of the programme highlights the crucial role of open data in empowering civil society and the private sector as a means towards tackling the most pressing challenges. Through the implementation of innovative digital solutions at the grassroots level, this initiative serves as a compelling demonstration of the transformative potential of technology in enhancing transparency, efficiency, and cooperation in the digital ecosystem of Ukraine, and underscores the OSCE’s commitment to assisting Ukraine in its digitalization objectives,” said Ralf Ernst, Deputy Co-Ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities /Head, Economic Activities.

“Open data is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, driving innovation, transparency, and trust,” said Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science & Technology and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. “Ukraine has showcased its significant development in this regard, as shown by ranking second place in the Open Data Maturity Index in 2022. During the full-scale invasion, we’ve faced new challenges within the open data sphere, so projects like ‘Open Data. Unbroken’ help the Government and civil society keep on track with previous commitments on expanding dataset access. Our team is grateful to the OSCE for supporting this endeavour and our dedication to Ukraine's digitalization goals,” he added.

This activity is implemented together with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine in co-operation with 1991 Accelerator and Social Boost in the framework of the cross-regional ExB project Promoting good governance and a positive business climate in the OSCE region through digitalization and the use of open data, funded by the United States. Poland is the second donor supporting this project.