The High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) heads an institution of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The post was created in 1992 to identify and seek early resolution of ethnic tensions that could endanger peace, stability or friendly relations between the 57 OSCE participating States.
The first High Commissioner was the Dutch Minister of State Max van der Stoel. The post is currently held by the fifth High Commissioner, Lamberto Zannier of Italy.
The post is described in the mandate of the HCNM as “an instrument of conflict prevention at the earliest possible stage.” This means that the High Commissioner works to address the long-term causes of inter‑ethnic tensions as well as trying to contain and de-escalate urgent situations. The High Commissioner works to ease tensions involving national minorities that could lead to conflict within the OSCE area. The High Commissioner also provides the OSCE with “early warnings” if ethnic tensions threaten to develop into conflict.
Program
Session one | 11:00 – 12:00 (Dutch) |
Session two | 12:15 – 13:15 (Dutch) |
Session tree | 13:30 – 14:30 (English) |
The presentations begin at 11.00 am, 12.15 pm and 13.30 pm and last for approximately one hour with space for Q&A. The language is Dutch (Sessions 1 & 2) and English (Session 3).
Visitors will be introduced to the work of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM).
There is a maximum number of twenty-five people per presentation.
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High Commissioner on National Minorities of the OSCE
Prinsessegracht 22
2514 AP Den Haag
www.osce.org/hcnm