When hundreds of civil society representatives across Northamerica, Europe and Centrall Asia gathered in Warsaw for the OSCE’s annual Human Dimension Conference, Austausch e.V. was again among them – part of an important space where European and Eurasian and US american activists still meet face to face to talk about democracy, human rights, and security.

This year, Executive Directors Igor Mitchnik and Jacob Riemer took part in discussions that ranged from financial accountability to regional security and civic participation. Austausch co-organised three side events:

International Development Banks and Authoritarian States – on how financial institutions can help uphold rule of law rather than undermine it.

Security Trends in Central Asia and the OSCE Human Dimension – where Jacob Riemer highlighted that sustainable security begins with strengthening civil society by targeted support, visibility and broad international cooperation.

Civil Society Participation in the OSCE – with Civic Solidarity Platform members offering ideas for how NGOs can reclaim their space within multilateral structures.

Reflecting on the atmosphere in Warsaw, Jacob Riemer said:

“After years of ongoing crises, this forum feels alive again. It reminds us that the OSCE’s strength lies in open dialogue and mutual accountability.”

Igor Mitchnik joined a moving exchange with Belarusian activist Maksim Bukeevich, whose story – from political imprisonment in Russia to renewed civic engagement – captured what the “Human Dimension” of European security truly means.

Since 2016, Austausch e.V. has been part of this fragile but vital dialogue. Each year, the Warsaw conference remains a place where Europe’s civic networks breathe – and where the idea of shared responsibility for human rights still has a voice.