On 21 February 2025, Mr. Thierry De Wilde, Attaché for Internal Security at the French Embassy in Moscow, Mr. Olivier Deher, Communications Officer at the same Embassy, accompanied by Mr. Colin McCullough, Senior Planning and Coordination Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, visited the OSCE Academy. During their visit, the distinguished guests were greeted by Dr. Pal Dunay, Interim Director of the OSCE Academy, Ms. Cholpon Osmonalieva, Head of the Department of Education, and Victoria Orazova, Head of the International Department along with three students representing the MA in Politics and Security, Economic Governance and Development, Human Rights and Sustainability programmes and one sophomore student of BA in Economics. Dr. Dunay briefed the guests about the Academy’s history and its activities in the region. Mr. De Wilde presented his professional background, his areas of interest and work, that includes fighting terrorism and radicalism, combating human trafficking and addressing migration. Mr. De Wilde also raised the interest in developing cooperation with some French higher education institutions that have similar educational programmes with the OSCE Academy.
Following the introductory part, students introduced themselves, sharing insights about their countries and discussed with the guests how their studies at the OSCE Academy enhance their understanding of both their country's geopolitics and the broader regional context, as well as influence their future aspirations.