Study Trip Report to the OSCE
On July 1st, 2014, the Faculty of Law of the University of Vienna organized a study trip for LL.M. students to a number of leading international organizations located in Vienna.
After lunch, the students visited the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in its premises within the Hofburg Palace. The meeting with the representatives of the OSCE took place in one of the conference halls of the historical building, adapted to modern business environment, which allowed the students to sense a bit of the day-to-day working reality of the Organization.
The Head of the Legal Services at OSCE, Dr. Lisa Tabassi, provided a comprehensive general overview about the nature, tasks and operation of the Organization. She made a brief tour into the history of formation of the OSCE, its contemporary standing and activities. An interesting topic for discussion appeared to be its legal status in international law in light of the absence of international legal personality and of a constituent document of the Organization. Dr. Tabassi was also very friendly in telling the student about internship and employment opportunities in the Organization.
Legal Advisers, Dr. loannis Stribis and Matthew Bailey, presented very sapid practical issues concerning the internal normative and organizational framework of employment in OSCE, including matters related to immunity of the Organization's personnel. The overview of the dispute settlement mechanisms established within the Organization impressed the students as it displayed the importance that the OSCE attaches to proper treatment of its employees. Another interesting presentation was made by Dmytro Dolin on the role of the OSCE and peculiarities of its field missions in Ukraine.
The OSCE representatives were open to any questions of the students and were generally very friendly, leaving a highly positive impression about the Organization.
Samira Abdusalomova and Viktoryia Vasilevskaja (LL.M. 2013-2014)
