OSCE Mission Sponsors Kosovo Youth Action Plan Consultations

OSCE

21 November 2005

Streamlining activities and strengthening the response of Kosovo's Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG) to the needs of young people will be the focus of a two-day conference that opens on Monday.

Werner Wnendt, Head of OSCE Mission to Kosovo

The event is being organized by the PISG Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, with OSCE support, and marks the start of the development of comprehensive inter-ministerial youth policies and an action plan.

"As the largest age group in Kosovo, young people need a sense of direction and some perspective on their future," said Ambassador Werner Wnendt. "Their energy and their vision can be used as the driving force to move processes forward and make the whole community feel part of the European family."

The action plan for 2006-2010 will involve all relevant governmental and non-governmental institutions, organizations and service providers in exploring and meeting the needs of young people. Its intention is to be the roadmap for youth activities, describing steps and relevant actions for implementation by the responsible bodies.

The development of the action plan is supported by various stakeholders and international partners, including the German Association for Technical Co-operation (GTZ), the United Nations Development Programme and the UNICEF.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo, through its Youth Support Initiative, helps develop youth policies and projects in order to find ways and mechanisms to increase youth participation in decision-making.

OSCE support for the plan includes covering the costs of focal points in ten PISG ministries, and two international experts who will work closely with the Department of Youth in preparing the youth policy and action plan.