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ORGANIZATION FOR THE SMALLEST ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD
The world's first organization
devoted to nations with the smallest economic potential
The Organization for the Smallest Economies in the World (OSEW) is an international non-profit organization that is dedicated to the World's Smallest Economies,
which collectively produced 1% of global GDP (2019). This is as many as 93 countries—nearly half of the United Nations member states (193).
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After conducting extensive research on the World's Smallest Economies, Aneta A. Teperek noticed a need for an organization dedicated to supporting these nations for several reasons: the global community's limited interest, the challenges confronting these economies, their considerable potential, and the increasing significance
of the world's smallest economies in the future
Despite the formal equality of all countries as United Nations members—each of the 193 nations possessing one vote regardless of size, population, economic potential, or level of economic development—the world's smallest economies frequently encounter marginalization from larger nations and the global community. The extant literature addressing these countries is notably limited, and there exists a paucity
of interest from scholars, policymakers, and global leaders. Media coverage on the smallest economies is equally scant. When they do make the news, it is usually in the context of conflicts involving these nations or when they pose a potential threat to the international order. Occasionally, they are referenced in discussions related to money laundering or notable sports achievements. Nevertheless, following these episodic mentions, the global community swiftly overlooks the smallest economies once more.
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The World’s Smallest Economies face many challenges and constraints, primarily
due to their small economic potential. These include vulnerability to global economic fluctuations; limited economic diversification; high dependence on imports leading on reliance on external markets; restricted access to international markets due to logistical constraints, high transportation costs, and a lack of competitiveness; and
a high level of migration resulting in a deficit of professionals. The limited capacity
of the public and private sectors, including the legal and judicial infrastructures, means that they have no alternative but to depend on the larger economies and
their decisions, which is not always in their interests. A further challenge is posed
by the environmental issues faced particularly by the world's smallest island economies, which make up more than a third of the group. The adverse effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased incidence of natural disasters, and environmental degradation, have a detrimental impact on their economies.
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​The World's Smallest Economies possess significant development potential. They
are home to millions of untapped young human resources, which, with appropriate investments in education, can become valuable human capital. Furthermore, these 93 smallest states, with a total population of over 0.5 billion people, are potential new markets for products produced by the larger economies seeking expansion. The World's Smallest Economies possess abundant deposits of valuable minerals located both within their lands as well as in their Exclusive Economic Zones. The substantial land area of these nations presents opportunities for significant agricultural development, including the production and export of foodstuffs on a large scale. The warm climate year-round
and coastal locations of the majority of the smallest economies also foster the development of tourism, which, coupled with pristine natural environments and the unique cultural heritage, enhances the appeal of the World's Smallest Economies as tourism destinations.
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Recent decades have seen an accelerated process of globalization, resulting in increased interdependence and integration of economies into the global economy.
It is highly probable that this will lead to an increased importance of the World's Smallest Economies on the global stage. Moreover, larger economies are projected to increase their demand for mineral resources; marine resources from Exclusive Economic Zone; agricultural land for cultivation; new tourist destinations, preferably with pristine and unspoiled natural environments and unique cultural heritage; new markets for product distribution; and labor resources, i.e. everything the World's Smallest Economies have
to offer. This is likely to result in an augmentation of economic interconnections between the World's Smallest Economies and the global economy, concurrently enhancing their international standing.
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OSEW raises global awareness of the World’s Smallest Economies
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OSEW facilitates the exchange of knowledge and best practices
among the 93 Smallest Economies, enabling least developed nations to benefit from
the experiences of more developed economies to enhance their development
OSEW structure​
​Dr. Aneta A. Teperek
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Board of Trustee
The Board of Trustees is the OSEW’s decision-making body, composed of outstanding leaders from business, politics, academia and civil society.
Anders Lundvig Hansen
Michał Barłowski
Swannette Nieman
​Tadeusz Kościński
Scientific Board
The Scientific Board is is OSEW's scientific body, composed of professors representing countries other than the World's Smallest Economies, and specializing in academic fields and disciplines such as economics, finance, geography, demography, tourism, agriculture, environmental, culture, education, and public health, among others.
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Board of Ambassadors
The Board of Ambassadors is composed of one representative from each of the 93 smallest economies in the world.
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Honorary Board
The Honorary Board is OSEW’s advisory body, composed of honorary members representing countries other than the World's Smallest Economies.
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Research and Advisory Committees
Substantive bodies propose solutions, develop standards, assess data, and review policy actions and best socioeconomic practices in the World's Smallest Economies.
The Committees focus on major OSEW's projects and consist of specialists from academia and the business community.
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Operations Division
The Operations Division is composed of lawyers, financiers, fundraisers, and other specialists who carry out the operational work,
financial management, fundraising, and administrative support of the OSEW.​
The OSEW's mission is to contribute to a greater global awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the World's Smallest Economies, as well as to promote
their international cooperation, while supporting sustainable economic, social, political, and environmental development. This is achieve through research focusing on identifying:
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the causes of the discrepancies in the levels of socioeconomic development among the World's Smallest Economies,
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the challenges faced by these economies,
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the development potential they possess,
with the aim of enhancing the functioning of these states.
OSEW supports the exchange of knowledge, technology, and best practices among the World's Smallest Economies, while also drawing on the experiences of other countries.
The overarching goal of OSEW is to improve the living conditions of people in the least developed of these nations by helping them to strengthen their economic potential.
The OSEW's vision is to create a global environment in which the World's Smallest Economies can achieve their full potential while achieving sustainable economic, social,
political, and environmental development. OSEW aims to become a leading support center of support for these nations, helping them to overcome challenges and contribute
to their lasting growth and development.
From enhancing economic performance, improving education
and healthcare access in the majority of the World's Smallest Economies
to strengthening climate change policies
OSEW - unique research and consultancy centre with diverse initiatives:
Data Collection
Collecting and monitoring of economic data on the World’s Smallest Economies to track their socioeconomic development, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of OSEW's implemented strategies and programs.
Research and Analysis
Analyzing the varied levels of economic development in the World’s Smallest Economies and the factors contributing to them, as well as identifying the social, political, and environmental challenges these economies face, along with exploring potential opportunities for development.
Publications
Disseminating research-based knowledge on the World’s Smallest Economies through the publication of annual research reports, articles, and short
socioeconomic and policy briefs that highlight effective socioeconomic practices successfully implemented in small economies.
Social Media
and Digital Advocacy​
Promoting the world's 93 smallest economies on social media platforms through infographics, videos, and blogs showcasing their history, natural environment,
unique cultural heritage, and innovations.
International Forum
Conferences and Seminars
Hosting an annual World's Smallest Economies Forum to brings together policymakers, academics, leaders of the World’s Smallest Economies, representatives
of international organizations, and entrepreneurs to foster global awareness of their unique challenges and contributions. Additionally, hosting conferences and
seminars to promote economic development of these nations, focusing on tourism, FDI, and trade.
Global Events
Participation​
Attending global events to raise awareness of the World’s Smallest Economies, enhance their global visibility, highlight their unique opportunities and promote
positive associations related to the World's Smallest Economies. Supporting their international cooperation with other countries and with themselves. Furthermore, seeking aid for the least developed smallest economies in order to improve the living conditions of the societies in these countries.
International Cooperation
and Knowledge Exchange​
Supporting partnerships between policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers in the World's Smallest Economies and representatives of international organizations, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs from other countries to exchange knowledge and experiences that benefit small economies (e.g., information on development programs offered by international organizations; effective practices used in the most developed small economies, and the latest technologies adopted in other countries). Additionally, organizing student exchanges and internship programs between the World’s Smallest Economies, while providing
support for startups and innovation development in these economies.
Consulting Services​
Providing remunerated advisory services to governments, corporations, private investors, and organizations seeking expertise on the World's Smallest Economies, including market analysis, policy assessments, and strategic planning. Additionally, offering consulting services to the World's Smallest Economies in order to address their needs. These services include the provision of workshops with the aim of enhancing education levels, training programs for government officials
and entrepreneurs, socioeconomic recommendations and guidance aligned with global sustainability standards that aim to support sustainable development
in the smallest economies, as well as recommendations to improve international perception, and strengthen economic credibility.
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OSEW collaborates with policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders
from the World's Smallest Economies, as well as with international organizations,
financial institutions, investors, and countries interested in small economies
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much
- Helen Keller -
OSEW’s values are:
Understanding and Awareness - promoting greater global awareness of the challenges faced by the World's Smallest Economies
Empowerment - supporting the World's Smallest Economies in identifying their economic potential to enhance the functioning of their states
Sustainable Development - supporting the sustainable economic, social, political, and environmental development of the World’s Smallest Economies, while promoting long-term growth
to ensure the prosperity for future generations
Global Cooperation - facilitating the exchange of knowledge, technology, and best practices among the World's Smallest Economies, as well as fostering partnerships with other countries
Research and Innovation - identifying the root causes of development disparities among the World’s Smallest Economies and proposing solutions grounded in scientific research
Equity - advocating for socioeconomic equality in the less developed of the World’s Smallest Economies, and improving living conditions for their societies
Professionalism and Integrity - acting with expertise, transparency, and adherence to the highest ethical standards
99 Wall Street #1493, New York, NY 10005, USA
info@osew.org
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