Multiple security threats in Europe and beyond are increasing a sense of uncertainty and insecurity among the European public. Governments, state institutions and regional organizations are under pressure to take additional measures to ensure public safety. Support for radical political parties and movements is growing in many European states.
The 2 day event is co-organized by the OSCE, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. On 23 June it will begin with a night-owl session dedicated to the protecting fundamental freedoms in times of crisis.
The current crisis in and around Ukraine has exacerbated divisions and mistrust among the OSCE participating States, including in the politico-military sphere. Military exercises are conducted with increasing frequency and often without prior notification. There has been a growing number of incidents of close military encounters. Meanwhile military-to-military dialogue is stagnating or has been suspended. In this situation there is a real potential for dangerous miscalculation and unforeseen incidents that could trigger direct military confrontation.
Moderator: Fred Tanner, Senior Adviser to the OSCE Secretary General
Panellists:
11:30 - 11:45 Coffee Break
Since the end of the Cold War, trade and investment have expanded dramatically, contributing to stability and security in the OSCE area. Many post-communist countries have joined the European Union, while others aspire to do so in the future. At the same time, some regions in the OSCE area have launched their own integration processes, such as the Eurasian Economic Union.
Against the backdrop of growing East-West tensions, economic relations have become more politicized and questions of compatibility have arisen, in particular for countries that are not included in one or another integration process. Meanwhile, economic sanctions and countersanctions have become a visible expression of the fundamental political divisions in Europe.
Moderator: Christian F. Ostermann, Director of the History and Public Policy Program and the Global Europe Program, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Panellists:
13:15 – 14:30 Buffet Lunch
The OSCE area is facing a range of complex security challenges that are multidimensional, transnational or even global, and increasingly intertwined. These challenges, which include terrorism and violent extremism, organized crime, trafficking in human beings, climate change and the recent unprecedented influx of refugees and migrants into Europe, among others, are too big for any single state to tackle on its own.
Moderator: Ian Lesser, Executive Director, The German Marshall Fund of the United States, Brussels
Panellists:
16:00 - 16:15 Coffee Break
The OSCE plays a central role in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security architecture as a platform for inclusive dialogue and joint action. Despite its operational achievements on the ground, the OSCE has been struggling with political paralysis.
A deteriorating security situation and risks of new dividing lines emerging in the OSCE area jeopardize constructive co-operation among the OSCE participating States. Rapidly growing global instability is exacerbating these developments.
Moderator: Judy Dempsey, Non-resident Senior Associate, Carnegie Europe
Panellists:
OSCE Security Days have served as a unique platform for enhancing the security dialogue since the initiative was launched in 2012. Security Days events aim to deepen understanding of common security challenges and generate possible solutions by stimulating informal, interactive and forward-looking debate among prominent experts from international organizations, governments, think tanks, academia, civil society, youth, and the media. Previous Security Days have focused on conventional arms control, water security, climate change, radicalization and violent extremism, the women, peace and security agenda, as well as migration.
With 57 participating States in Europe, Central Asia and North America, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the world's largest regional security organization. Its mission is rooted in the principles and commitments contained in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, a pioneering document that contributed to the end of the Cold War.
The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects and that is reflected throughout the work of the Organization.
"Die Organisation ringt mit der Ukraine-Krise und dem eigenen Bedeutungsverlust. Neue Impulse sind nötig – auch durch einen deutschen Vorsitz 2016."
Rolf Mützenich in: IPG-Journal, 17.11.14