Farah Karimi (The Netherlands) has served as the OSCE PA’s Special Representative on Youth Engagement since August 2021. In this role, Karimi represents the Assembly at events focused on youth issues, promotes engagement with young people in OSCE PA activities, and works to advance OSCE values with youth. Furthermore, she was elected Vice-Chair of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions in July 2022.

The post of Special Representative on Youth Engagement was established following an event held by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in May 2021 as part of the PA's Call for Action – Helsinki +50 Process. At this event, young parliamentarians, representatives of youth wings of political parties and leaders of the OSCE PA met online for discussions on how to ensure a better presence of youth representatives in multilateral organizations. 

Participants pointed out that with all the crises in the world, young people feel a palpable need to develop effective institutions based on innovative ideas and to promote a culture of empathy that includes all stakeholders, including youth. It was emphasized that without a strong youth movement there can be no vibrant civil society and with no strong civil society, democracy suffers.

With this in mind, Karimi was appointed by President Cederfelt to promote the inclusion of young people in decision-making processes. In addition to seving as Special Representative, Karimi also serves as Vice-Chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Migration. She was first elected to the Dutch House of Representatives in 1998.

MANDATE

• Advise the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and President on ways to promote the role of youth in peace and security and inclusion of young people in decision-making processes;
• Enhance co-operation and promote parliamentary diplomacy on Youth, Peace and Security agenda within the OSCE PA, particularly with young parliamentarians;
• Maintain and facilitate contacts with OSCE Chairpersonship and Executive Structures, as well as with other national and international stakeholders on matters related to youth engagement, participation, and advocacy;
• Represent the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at relevant international conferences and events focused on youth issues.

VIDEOS:

Parliamentary Web Dialogue on "Youth contribution to strengthening of rule of law, democracy and human rights in the OSCE area"

RELATED ARTICLES:

• In New York visit, OSCE PA Special Representative on Youth Engagement works to enhance co-operation with UN for secure and democratic societies, 14 November 2022
• Importance of involving youth in decision-making in focus at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly event, 27 May 2021
• OSCE PA President Cederfelt calls for harnessing energy of young people at conference marking Youth Day, 12 August 2021
• Young people’s participation in politics is needed for effective public policy, parliamentarians say at OSCE PA webinar, 18 February 2022
• Young OSCE parliamentarians focus on youth engagement at meeting in Andorra, 8 June 2022

REPORTS:

• Report of the OSCE PA Special Representative on Youth Engagement, 2022 Winter Meeting, Vienna, February 2022
• Annual Report of the OSCE PA Special Representative on Youth Engagement: The distressing dichotomy between the potential of youth and their actual possibilities to meaningfully participate in decision-making and leadership