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Published on 1 February 2026

Youth project

During its OSCE Chairmanship year, Switzerland gave a stronger voice to young people and provided them with more opportunities to take part in OSCE activities.

Logo Model OSCE 2014

Model OSCE

Fifty-seven young men and women from the OSCE participating States were invited to take part in the Model OSCE project 2014. The 18 to 30-year-old youth ambassadors familiarised themselves with the themes and structures of the OSCE through simulated meetings of the Ministerial Council and the Permanent Council. They were thus given the opportunity to gain their first experience of diplomacy, prove their negotiating skills and leadership qualities, and practise public speaking.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Didier Burkhalter invited the youth ambassadors to take part in the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Basel on 4 and 5 December 2014 and to present the Model OSCE Youth Action plan to the foreign ministers of the 57 OSCE participating States who attended the Ministerial Council.

In connection with the Model OSCE, a book with the title "Security and Co-operation in Europe – The next generation's perspective" was published. In addition to the Youth Action Plan, the book contains portraits of the 57 youth ambassadors taken by the Swiss photographer Beat Schweizer as well as illustrations by the young Swiss artist Dora Formica.

The OSCE youth ambassadors posing for a group photo with the foreign ministers at the Ministerial Council meeting in December 2014.
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter meeting youth ambassadors on the margins of the 2014 Ministerial Council meeting in Basel.

Documents

29 December 2025

Swiss priorities during its chairmanship 2014

Security and stability, the improvement of human living conditions and the strengthening of the OSCE's capacity to act. These were the priorities set by Switzerland in the year of its Chairmanship, 2014.

29 December 2025

Final report

The Swiss Federal Council has given a positive assessment of Switzerland’s Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2014.

1 February 2026

Youth project

During its OSCE Chairmanship year, Switzerland gave a stronger voice to young people and provided them with more opportunities to take part in OSCE activities.