The UN Development Program together with the NGO "Students of Kyrgyzstan for a Green Economy" held the first part of the "Youth Caravan" in Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Chui regions. The goal of the caravan is to raise awareness among young people about the impacts of climate change and to call them to action, as well as inform about gender stereotypes and digital skills for young people.

The events took place in secondary schools named after Ch. Aitmatov in the city of Balykchy and I. Arabaev school in the village of Kochkor, as well as in the school named after. A.S. Makarenko in the city of Kara-Balta in cooperation with the District Education Departments under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic. In total, 270 students of schools participated in the Youth Caravan.

Erkinbek Kasybekov, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan, said the following: “Climate change creates an emergency not only for Kyrgyzstan, but for the whole world. Currently, Kyrgyzstan promises to maintain the global temperature at 1.5 degrees until 2030 in accordance with the Paris Agreement. To deliver on this promise, all parties, especially youth, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and private companies, must work together.”

The events were held in schools and youth centers, launched with the support of UNDP earlier. Trained participants are expected to have the opportunity to share their experiences with their peers in the future.

Omar Dairov, Executive Director of NGO "Students of Kyrgyzstan for a Green Economy" said the following: “The youth caravan is the curious and burning eyes of little Kyrgyzstanis, enthusiastically listening and discussing the global environmental and gender problems of modern society ... We deeply hope that the caravan will gain national popularity and every year young novice researchers will be able to join the caravan and tell younger and students seeking knowledge about the problems of modern society and find a joint way of solving them”.

In addition, as a result of training events, the organizers plan to create a platform where all participants from all regions will be gathered for further information exchange and the formation of an educational network on the principle of "peer-to-peer".

It is planned that the second part of the "Youth Caravan" will cover Osh, Jalal-Abad, Batken and Talas regions and will take place from November 1 to 8, 2021. Check out table below:

Interested parties should call 0775767605 in advance to participate. The organizers will consider the possibility of organizing travel costs to the venue.

Photos below:

Balykchy town.

Kochkor village

Kara-Balta city

Media contacts

Chyntemir Kalbaev

UNDP Communications Assistant

+996775767605

chyntemir.kalbaev@undp.org

Snapshots from the Youth Caravan

Photos: Svyatoslav Lykhin / UNDP Kyrgyzstan