The
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (
OSCE) is the world's largest security-oriented
intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as
arms control and the promotion of
human rights,
freedom of the press and fair elections. It employs around 400 people in its secretariat in
Vienna,
Austria, 200 in its institutions and 2,100 field staff. It has its origins in the 1975 Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) held in
Helsinki, Finland.