Since the revolutionary events in the former socialist states in Central and Eastern Europe, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) has been the subject of a fundamental change.

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On 9 and 10 July 1992, the Heads of State or Government of 51 participating states of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) convened in the Finnish capital, Helsinki. This meeting, which became known as Helsinki-II, marked an important milestone in the history of the CSCE process which was born at the same place about two decades previously. This collection of essays analyzes the results of the Helsinki Summit and the major issues which were debated. Topics range from political and security dimension of the CSCE, economic cooperation and the protection of the environment, to human dimension issues. Most authors were engaged in (parts of) the negotiation process which led to the Helsinki Document.

The human dimension of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) implies an alternative vision of security and co-operation in Europe, based on respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law, minority rights and human contacts. Until recently the human dimension has been the main claim to perpetuity of the CSCE. It has been through the years the main point of controversy among its participating states, and has played an important role in the revolutionary events of 1989 which transformed Europe.

The Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe is said to be the most sophisticated intergovernmental institution dealing with wider Europe. This volume documents the latest advances in its development as well as its successes of the past, highlighting the 1992 "Helsinki-II" meeting.