Since his own time as a student, Samuel Goda sought to increase youth engagement and participation, both in university and in society more generally. He has worked with and for several NGOs during his studies, where he became a focal point for students’ initiatives at the Faculty of International Relations at the University of Economics.

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After having earned a Master’s degree in Political Sciences and a PhD in International Relations from Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Dr. Goda was a project manager and research for the ‘Slovak Foreign Policy Association’ (SFPA), Slovakia’s oldest foreign policy think-tank. His work has allowed him to closely observe trends in youth participation and community development.

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In his current role as OSCE Special Representative of Youth and Security, his main responsibilities include representing the voice of the youth within the OSCE, advancing priority topics (such as counter-terrorism, cyber-security as well as combating discrimination and intolerance) and bringing the OSCE closer to youth.