OSCE Chairpersonship Calls for Inclusive Policy to Counter Discrimination and Strengthen Minority Participation

At a high-level Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting held on 3 June 2025 in Vienna, OSCE leaders spotlighted the urgent need for inclusive policymaking to address intolerance and safeguard minority rights across the region. The event convened over 270 participants, including representatives from OSCE participating States, international organizations, and civil society, to explore comprehensive and inclusive approaches in tackling discrimination while fostering intercultural, interfaith, and interethnic dialogue.

OSCE Chair of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen of Finland, emphasized that enhancing gender equality and including youth, persons with disabilities, national minorities, and other underrepresented groups in decision-making is critical to building tolerant and resilient societies. He noted that “including everyone’s voices strengthens security and stability of our societies,” reflecting the Finnish Chairpersonship’s commitment to making inclusion a cross-cutting priority. ODIHR Director Maria Telalian added that inclusive policymaking acts as both a powerful remedy and preventive mechanism against the root causes of intolerance—highlighting its capacity to foster trust, strengthen social cohesion, and build long-term peace.

The discussions also addressed the complexity of lived experiences of discrimination and the importance of ensuring that interfaith, intercultural, and interreligious dialogue is itself inclusive. This means moving beyond general statements and actively promoting minority communities’ participation in shaping policies that affect them. Participants explored practical methods to empower underrepresented voices—especially those of minorities—through coalition-building with policymakers, educators, and civil society actors across the OSCE region.

For more information, please visit the website of the OSCE: https://www.osce.org/chairpersonship/591953