Security politics "from below": Why the OSCE should systematically incorporate civil society expertise and engagement to remain relevant in matters of peace and security

Nadja Douglas

No 35/2025, SWP Comments from Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Abstract: In the 50th year of its existence, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is more than ever looking for a new role. The war in Ukraine and other conflicts in the OSCE area show how important the work of civil society organisations is in times of war and crisis - especially in fields where the state's ability to act is limited. In an increasingly fragile international order, the OSCE should refocus on its strengths in regional conflict management and take greater account of the expertise of civil society. Moreover, representatives of civil society should get involved in the structures of the OSCE more systematically than has been the case to date, not only formally but also in practice. The Helsinki Conference on 31 July 2025, which commemorates the adoption of the CSCE Final Act, offers a good starting point.

Keywords: Helsinki Conference; Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe; OSCE; Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; CSCE; Helsinki Committee; conflict cycle; delimitation; demarcation; government-organised non-governmental organisations; GONGO; Civic Solidarity Platform; CSP; Forum for Security Co-operation; FSC; Anu Juvonen; Eastern Partnership/Russia Programme (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:swpcom:324889

DOI: 10.18449/2025C35

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