Model OSCE Serbia 2009

Negotiation and Diplomacy

The goal of this project was to learn about the OSCE through a more realistic and practical approach. Two scenarios, fictional but with elements of truth, were given to the students in December 2008, both concerning the environment. Students then took the roles of Ambassadors of the countries they chose to represent, NGOs which were there to provide expertise on the subjects as well as a voice that was other than the government's, spokespersons which were always present, interviewing and taking notes of the meetings, and of course the OSCE Secretariat, consisting of a Chairperson, Secretary General and Coordinator of Economical and Environmental forum


By TIJANA MIJALKOVIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


On 2nd and 3rd of March 2009, in Palace of Serbia (Belgrade), Model OSCE Serbia was organized for the first time - by OSCE Mission (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) in Serbia and the Žikić Foundation. This project was supported by the Serbian Ministry for Youth and Sports. About 80 students from state and private universities from Serbia participated in simulated meetings of the OSCE Permanent Council. The working language was English.

The goal of this project was to learn about the OSCE through a more realistic and practical approach. Two scenarios, fictional but with elements of truth, were given to the students in December 2008 - Energy Security: Reducing Dependency on Fossil Fuels through Alternative Energy Sources in Ukraine and Flood-Control Retention and Nature Reserves at the River Rhine - a Model for Europe?, both concerning the environment.

Students then took the roles of Ambassadors of the countries they chose to represent, NGOs which were there to provide expertise on the subjects as well as a voice that was other than the government's, spokespersons which were always present, interviewing and taking notes of the meetings, and of course the OSCE Secretariat, consisting of a Chairperson, Secretary General and Coordinator of Economical and Environmental forum.

Throughout January, February and the day of the Simulation as well, Preparatory Consultations Meetings and Ad hoc meetings were held. It is on these unofficial meetings mentioned above, that the decisions are being negotiated and maybe even more so on coffee breaks. The Permanent Council session, it turned out, was more about confirming unofficial decisions.

During the project and the preparation for the Simulation, it was inevitable and indispensable for participants to learn a lot about the topics in the scenario given, so that they could take a stand or defend their position. The interesting thing about the way that the OSCE functions is that all members are equal, in voting there is no veto. Silence or absence means approval.

Other than facts, what this project was about was negotiation and diplomacy. Since consensus is necessary, it took a lot of work, even on the day of the simulation, to convince all the representatives of participating countries. Participants experienced how careful a diplomat has to be when defending a position, or being against another country's proposal.

In the Session of the Permanent Council of Model OSCE 2009, consensus was reached on both scenarios. One during the meeting and the other through a "silent procedure" which means that after the meeting, a time is set to present objections to the Chairperson, and if there are none, the Chairperson informs everybody that a consensus has been reached.

When the official part of the Simulation ended, special guest speakers addressed the participants. Among the guests were representatives of some Embassies and of Serbian Ministries. They shared their views on the scenarios, on Model OSCE, on diplomacy in general and answered questions from participants that were ranging from personal impressions to political and economical questions.

Since Model OSCE Serbia was a success and a positive and useful experience for all involved, hopefully it will become a traditional event in Serbia.


(Published: 10.03.2009.)