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The deputy of the RA NA Civil Contract Faction Sargis Khandanyan took part in the regular meeting of the young parliamentarians’ network of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, which took place in Parliament of Andorra on June 2-3.

Issues concerning and the role of the youth in the elaboration and implementation of the policies in the OSCE region the importance of the participation, as well as the national youth policies of the countries were presented.

As a result of the meeting, the joint statement of Young Parliamentarians of the OSCE PA was published.

JOINT DECLARATION ON PROMOTION OF YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE OSCE AREA

A Statement of Young Parliamentarians of the OSCE PA

We, young members of parliaments of the OSCE participating States, gathered at the Consell General of Andorra in Andorra la Vella to discuss the importance of youth participation in the OSCE PA and to identify key areas of engagement for young parliamentarians, in the OSCE area and beyond.

Whereas, the role of youth, especially young parliamentarians, in the OSCE area and in the work of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in promoting human rights, peace, and security efforts in both national and international fora must not be underestimated and represents a critical factor for democracy and the protection of rule of law,

Whereas, multilateral institutions like the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and national parliaments, must support the integration of youth perspectives to their respective activities and policies,

Whereas, recognition of youth participation in the field of security, economy, environmental and authoritarian challenges shifting power and threatening the life of youth and human rights is of paramount importance to solve global challenges and improve the realization of our shared ideas and principles,

Whereas, clear and transparent processes should be established at all levels in order to provide accessible information and engagement tools for young people to politically engage and adequately support decision-making,

Whereas, high level political attention, strategy and action plans on youth inclusion should be developed in order to break down legal and political obstacles undermining youth contribution and their active civic engagement,

Noting the positive evolution within the OSCE PA to support young people, through the nomination of a Special Representative on Youth Engagement, and creation of a space for participation and expression of young parliamentarians,

Resolved, the respective parliamentarians represented in this declaration will exercise their full parliamentary voices to support the actions contained in the name of the resolution and pursue-

•Encouraging fellow young parliamentarians to actively take part in the discussions and work of the OSCE PA, as well as its General and Ad-Hoc Committees;

•Demonstrating respect to the OSCE commitments and international law, always aiming for peace and diplomatic means of conflict resolution;

•Working to strengthen democratic institutions, transparency, the freedom of speech and participation and the rule of law in our respective countries, in order to foster a young generation with a just and peaceful future to believe in;

•Co-ordinating efforts to promote a youth agenda in the OSCE area, support initiatives at all levels and learn from each other;

•Enhancing the collection and monitoring of reliable data allowing the implementation of concrete and targeted policies supporting youth inclusion in peace and security actions;

•Working towards establishing national action plans and objectives in the government program to support youth, with a need for follow-up actions such as implementing nationally the UN SCR 2250 on »õYouth, Peace and Security»õ;

•Establishing accountability mechanisms, transparent and impactful, reporting on the work of OSCE on Youth to the Parliamentary Assembly;

•Reinforcing the work towards enhancement of cooperation and collaboration between OSCE PA and the OSCE participating States, OSCE Institutions and Field Mission on promotion of youth participation and integration of youth perspectives into the work and activities of the OSCE, including the adoption of OSCE Youth Strategy and Action Plan;

•Supporting youth contribution and involvement in election processes, in institutions, in civil society and in peace-building activities;

•Promoting gender perspectives and equality in all political processes in OSCE participating States and within the OSCE PA;

•Promoting and reinforcing joint responses to challenges associated with security, economy, climate change, transparency, corruption, human rights, and other through the empowerment of youth-led civil society organizations and groups, and support towards great participation of youth in debates and decision-making processes.