COPENHAGEN, 19 January 2026 — OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Youth Engagement Lucija Tacer (Slovenia) hosted today an online webinar “Understanding the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda: From Global Framework to Parliamentary Action,” marking the launch of the Parliamentary Dialogue Platform on Youth, Peace and Security. The event brought together parliamentarians, youth experts, and representatives from international organizations to discuss the evolving Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda and its relevance for parliamentary action in the OSCE area.
In her welcoming remarks, Tacer underscored the timely importance of strengthening youth participation in peace and security policymaking and reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to supporting practical parliamentary engagement with the YPS agenda.
“The Parliamentary Dialogue Platform aims to serve as an ongoing space for knowledge exchange and collaboration, where parliamentarians across the OSCE region can engage with experts, share national experiences, and work jointly on translating global commitments into legislation, oversight mechanisms, and policy initiatives,” Tacer said.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, highlighted the normative foundations of the YPS agenda and its significance for sustainable peace and security. “We need to drive this important discussion to different spaces, including civil society and politicians, because ultimately change will come from there,” Paullier said.
The event also featured keynote presentations by Saji Prelis, Co-Chair of the Global Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security and Briona Collins, Advocacy Lead at the United Network of Young Peacebuilders. Prelis provided insights into the origins of the agenda, emerging trends affecting young people, and opportunities for strengthening future commitments through national actions and financing initiatives. Collins focused on the parliamentary dimension of the YPS agenda, including the roles parliaments can play in policy, legislation, oversight, and engagement with youth organizations.
Parliamentarians participating in the webinar exchanged views on how parliaments can advance youth-focused peace and security policies, enhance institutional co-operation with youth groups, and integrate youth priorities into national action plans.
For more information about OSCE PA’s work on youth issues and activities of the OSCE PA’s Special Representative on Youth Engagement, please click here.
