Publications
A Peaceful Presence- The First Five Years of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine
Publishing date: 29 June 2021
Content type: Study / report
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Deployed in response to an evolving crisis, the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) faced numerous challenges in its first five years of operation. The OSCE was able to identify a wealth of valuable lessons from the SMM’s rapid deployment and expansion in the wake of the Minsk agreements as well as its use of sophisticated technological monitoring tools, among others. This study examines how the SMM was able to implement its mandate in an increasingly complex security environment, drawing lessons to inform future peace operations, for both the OSCE and the international community at large.
Factsheet of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre
Publishing date: 6 March 2020
Collections: Factsheets of the OSCE Secretariat's units
Content type: Factsheet
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) provides a direct link between the OSCE field operations and the Secretariat in Vienna.
Inclusion of Women and Effective Peace Processes: A Toolkit
Publishing date: 2 December 2019
Collections: OSCE documents and publications on mediation
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution, Gender equality
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This toolkit makes actionable proposals for OSCE mediation actors, the Chairmanship, participating States, and Executive Structures on how to increase women’s inclusion in official negotiation processes in the OSCE area in order to support conflict resolution efforts. The lack of women’s meaningful participation in peace processes remains a major challenge in global efforts to effectively resolve violent conflict. By including women’s perspectives in conflict resolution efforts, the diverse needs of affected societies can be better addressed, thereby reducing the likelihood of relapse into conflict.
Gender in military operations: Guidance for military personnel working at tactical level in Peace Support Operations
Publishing date: 31 October 2018
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution, Gender equality
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This publication is the newest addition to the OSCE’s collection of toolkits and guidance on integrating a gender perspective into efforts to build peace and security. It illustrates how a gender-sensitive approach to operational practices can benefit conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation and provides concrete suggestions on enhancing women’s participation in peace operations.
Building Sustainable Peace and Democracy: OSCE Experiences in South-Eastern Europe
Publishing date: 7 June 2018
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Drawing on the OSCE’s long-standing experience in South-Eastern Europe, this reference guide provides insight into OSCE activities that foster sustainable peace and democracy. Over 30 practical examples illustrate the work of OSCE field operations across seven thematic areas, outlining the good practices and lessons to be learned for future peacebuilding endeavours. Highlighting how the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security can be practically applied in the field, this guide is intended for OSCE officials, policy makers, practitioners, and civil society.
Handbook on Statelessness in the OSCE Area: International Standards and Good Practices
Publishing date: 28 February 2017
Collections: Publications
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Human rights, Conflict prevention and resolution, Migration
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The handbook highlights the complex implications of statelessness for individuals, states and societies, with good practices and recommendations aiming to increase engagement and progress in addressing this phenomenon by OSCE participating States. The book was jointly developed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) and UNHCR.
OSCE Support to Insider Mediation: strengthening mediation capacities, networking and complementarity
Publishing date: 13 December 2016
Collections: OSCE documents and publications on mediation
Content type: Study / report
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This study on the OSCE’s engagement with insider mediators has been conducted by the Berghof Foundation and commissioned by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre/Operations Service Mediation Support Team jointly with the German OSCE Chairmanship. Insider mediators enjoy an inherent legitimacy and authority to engage with conflict actors and possess potential advantages in comparison to mediators coming from outside a conflict context. They are highly relevant for the OSCE as peacemakers, yet engagement requires acute sensitivity and strategizing. The study deliberates on some conceptual and operational considerations for OSCE support to insider mediation.
Co-ordination & Co-operation between International Actors in support of the Host Country
Publishing date: 12 July 2016
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
A best practices document on co-ordination and co-operation between international actors in support of the host country.
Regional Organizations in Conflict Mediation: Lessons of Experience & Cooperation with the United Nations
Publishing date: 30 March 2016
Content type: Study / report
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This report focuses on key issues discussed during the third and fourth meetings of Regional, Subregional and other International Organizations on Preventive Diplomacy and Mediation hosted respectively by the League of Arab States (LAS) in Cairo on 5-6 February 2014, and the European Union (EU) in Brussels on 6-7 May 2015. Both meetings were organized as part of a common effort to strengthen cooperation and knowledge-sharing on peace mediation in accordance with the UN Guidance for Effective Mediation. The common thread of discussions focused on a key principle of the UN Guidance: Coherence, Coordination and Complementarity (CCC) in mediation processes, with particular focus on contexts in which one or more regional organizations are involved. The Cairo meeting also addressed the issue of Inclusivity, while the Brussels meeting included a specific focus on CCC in ceasefire mediation.
Mediation and Dialogue Facilitation in the OSCE
Publishing date: 13 November 2014
Collections: OSCE documents and publications on mediation
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The purpose of this Reference Guide is to provide recommendations surrounding the eight fundamental principles of the UN Guidance for Effective Mediation as they pertain to the OSCE context. It intends to offer practical guidance for OSCE representatives who are directly involved in designing, implementing, and evaluating mediation and dialogue facilitation engagements in the field.