2. Text 4: The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (osce)

3. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the largest security-oriented organisation in the world. It is an international organisation for securing stability, based on democratic practices and good governance. The OSCE currently has 56 participating states from Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and North America.

The Organisation was established in 1973 as the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). However talks had been mooted about a European security grouping since 1950s. But the Cold War had prevented any substantial progress until the talks at Finland Hall in Helsinki in November 1972. These talks were held at the suggestion of the Soviet Union to reduce tension in the region by furthering economic cooperation and to strengthen piece and security in Europe. A unique aspect of the OSCE is the non-binding status of its provisions. Rather than being a formal treaty, the OSCE Final Act represents a political commitment of all signatories to build security and cooperation in Europe.

The high-level decision making bodies of the organisation are the Summit and the Ministerial Council, with the weekly Permanent Council serving as the regular negotiating and decision-making body, under the leadership of the Chairman-in-Office, who holds the position for a year.

The OSCE Secretariat, under the direction of the Secretary General, provides operational support to the Organisation. It is based in Vienna, Austria and assisted by the office in Prague. The Organisation also has offices in Copenhagen, Geneva, The Hague, Prague and Warsaw.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE is a body of parliamentarians from the OSCE's member states. A forum for the Security Cooperation meets once a year to discuss and make decisions regarding military aspects of security in the OSCE area.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights is the oldest OSCE institution, established in 1990. It is based in Warsaw, Poland, and is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance, non-discrimination, and the rule of law. To prevent electoral fraud, the OSCE has observed over 150 elections and referendums since 1995.

The office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, established in December 1997, acts as a watchdog to provide early warning on violations of freedom of expression in the OSCE member states. The OSCE representative also assists member states by advocating and promoting full compliance with the OSCE principles and commitments regarding freedom of expression and free media.

Regular OSCE activities and institutions are financed by contributions made by the OSCE participating States, according to the scale of distribution.

Questions for discussion:

1. When was the OSCE established?

2. What is the purpose of the OSCE?

3. What was the aim of the talks at Finland Hall in Helsinki in November 1972?

4. What kind of organisation is the OSCE?

5. What are the high-level decision making bodies of the OSCE?

6. What is the goal of the oldest OSCE institution?

7. Where are the headquarters and offices of the OSCE located?

8. What is the role of the OSCE Secretariat?

9. What is the goal of the office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media?

10. How are the OSCE activities and institutions financed?