The event aims at promoting tolerance and non-discrimination, respect for diversity, peaceful development and friendship as well as raising awareness of OSCE activities among young people.

Opening the event the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, said: “We are convinced that youth participation can bring added value to the OSCE in order to achieve the goals and purposes of the Organization. Young people should be given a voice.” He added that “young people clearly have a role to play in challenging discrimination and in promoting diversity, mutual respect and understanding”.

The OSCE Youth Summit takes place in Crimea, Ukraine, from 20 July to 1 August 2013 under the motto “Our difference is our wealth, our unity is our strength”. It is intended to facilitate contacts between youth representatives through training sessions, workshops, competitions and festivities.