In Bishkek, a youth meeting was held under the slogan "Lessons of Success," which gathered more than 70 boys and girls aged 14 to 16 from the Osh, Jalal-Abad, Batken, and Chui regions of Kyrgyzstan. It is worth noting that the lecturers were chosen by the participants themselves through a vote conducted this summer among participants from all 14 pilot municipalities of the "Youth for Peaceful Change" project.
Roza Otunbayeva, Salizhan Sharipov, and Atai Omurzakov shared their formula for success and interesting and educational stories from their lives with the participants.
- A person must set a goal and have a dream. You need to start with a one-day goal, then set a task for a month, a year, and so on, - advised the youth, cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov.
Atai Omurzakov believes that many people in Kyrgyzstan do not believe in themselves.
- My mother believed in me, which helped me a lot. I had a small room with a little mirror, and looking into it and seeing my reflection, I imagined my performance on stage in Europe. Around me were cameras, spotlight lights, and applause from the audience… In 2011, my dream came true on the Czechoslovak stage. Believe in yourself, work on yourself, and everything will definitely come true! – said Omurzakov.
Roza Otunbayeva emphasized the importance of acquiring knowledge. - The most important thing is education. Every day you should read a book for at least 20 minutes. Read! Read for yourself. Read to your brothers and sisters, and you will become a Person with a capital letter. Strive for knowledge. Educated people are always in demand.
The project organizers believe that meeting with well-known personalities who embody all the necessary qualities for achieving success will provide a positive impulse for the youth in their further self-development.
According to research on the needs of youth in the regions conducted as part of the project, the most in-demand activity is sports, followed by needs for employment, additional education, and acquiring various skills.
This platform aims to address issues such as tolerance, respect for diversity, and more active civic participation of youth in the development of the country. Holding meetings with role models will contribute to the socialization of young people, reducing feelings of isolation and alienation among those living in the regions.
The national youth meeting "Lessons of Success" is held as part of the implementation program of the UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF project. It is carried out with the support of the UN Peacebuilding Fund. The goal of the project is to develop equal opportunities for youth participation in the public life of the state and to acquire skills for civic engagement.
Photo by Alyona Mur