On June 19, 2026, in Siena, Italy, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), Christophe Kamp, launched The Siena Recommendations on Contested Histories and National Minorities (Siena Recommendations), as part of the HCNM’s thematic Recommendations and Guidelines that offer guidance to authorities of the 57 OSCE participating states on developing policies that may help ease tensions in diverse societies.
Based in part on the IHJR-EuroClio Contested Histories Initiative, the Siena Recommendations focus on three areas relevant to addressing contestations over historical narratives:
Firstly, General Principles that build on international legal norms that frame discussions on history, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as safeguarding academic freedoms. Emphasis is also on encouraging States to acknowledge differing historical narratives and perspectives and to promote an inclusive, participatory process.
The second section addresses contestations over monuments, memorials, and other physical representations of historical legacies in public spaces. Building on the General Principles, the HCNM provides practical strategies for calming tensions over disputes involving these symbols and offers a range of options informed by the work of the Contested Histories Initiative.
In the third section, the HCNM recommends developing history education policies that foster resilience, tolerance, and a better understanding of diverse groups within society. It provides practical advice on the skills teachers should teach their students, especially in historical inquiry and the critical understanding of multiple perspectives.
The launch included two panel presentations: one on “Leadership in Conflict Prevention: Addressing Contested Histories as a Path to Reducing Tensions,” where speakers shared experiences from across the OSCE region, and a second panel, “The Siena Recommendations in Practice: Contributing to the Integration of Diverse Societies,” focused on case studies illustrating the practical application of the Siena Recommendations in both public spaces and classrooms.
The launch was attended by a range of diplomats, experts, policy-makers, scholars and educators.
Read the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities’ article on the topic and watch the recording of the launch here.
