The 2025 OSCE Parallel Civil Society Conference, held today in Vienna, placed a powerful spotlight on the essential role civil society plays in strengthening security, human rights, and democracy across the OSCE region. The event concluded with actionable recommendations presented to OSCE leaders and participating States ahead of the 32nd OSCE Ministerial Council on 4–5 December.
During the conference, the Civic Solidarity Platform — a coalition of civic groups from across the region — introduced the Vienna Declaration, titled “Reviving the Helsinki Principles, Strengthening Security in a Comprehensive Way, and Ensuring Meaningful Civil Society Participation.” The Declaration calls for deeper, strategic engagement of civil society within and beyond OSCE structures and is based on expert discussions, analytical studies, and outcomes from the Helsinki+50 Reflection Process, supported by Finland, Germany and the Netherlands.
Anu Juvonen, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Representative on Civil Society, presented the Helsinki Recommendations designed to strengthen systematic and strategic collaboration between the OSCE and civil society actors.
In the closing session, Finland’s Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Elina Valtonen, stressed that a free and independent civil society is the foundation of a resilient democracy. She warned that democratic backsliding and restrictions on fundamental freedoms threaten peace and security, noting that countries suppressing rights at home often show aggression abroad.
Ignazio Cassis, head of Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of civic participation in fostering innovation, social cohesion and democratic strength. He pledged Switzerland’s continued support for comprehensive security and citizens’ freedom to shape collective decisions.
Special Representative Anu Juvonen drew attention to shrinking civic space across the region, where restrictions on freedom of association and peaceful assembly are rising and human rights defenders face increasing risks. She emphasized the urgent need to protect and empower civil society both within the OSCE and beyond.
The conference also featured participation from key OSCE leaders, including the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions Maria Telalian, ODIHR representative Jan Braathu, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Christophe Kamp, and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro. OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu underlined that civil society is crucial for cultivating trust, cooperation and respect for democratic values, stating that without trust, peace remains fragile.
Organized by the Civic Solidarity Platform with the support of the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship, the Civil Society Conference has convened annually alongside the OSCE Ministerial Council since 2010.
