The Association of Legal Clinics of Kyrgyzstan organized a conference summarizing their activities within the framework of the project “Promoting Kyrgyzstan's Youth Cohesion and Interaction towards Uzbekistan” funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. The conference was devoted to the topic of improving the legal culture and literacy of young people in the regions and how it affects peace and consent. Law school students who had completed their internships in pilot border municipalities and those young activists who had actively participated in project events were awarded certificates. Within the project framework, a Law Week initiative was held in 12 schools located in the border pilot municipalities. All project activities were focused on the idea that if young people know the legal methods of resolving disputes, appealing to the competent authorities, protecting rights through the judicial system, and effectively use their rights, this will strengthen consent and cooperation, peace and stability in the region, including within the multiethnic communities.

The meeting was attended by the authorized representative of the Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic Kasymov Sh., the head of the interregional department of the State Legal Assistance of the Kyrgyz Republic Ergeshov T., the head of Osh oblast passport and registration department Sultanova N., the chairman of the youth committee of the city of Osh Berkhmamatov I., representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Kochkorbaev S., representatives of UNDP and young activists. During the meeting, young representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan were able to express their proposals and wishes for the project.

“In some countries, youth activists and students play an important role in the development of policies in the field of law and peacebuilding. I learned a lot of useful things and gained new knowledge by participating in social events and trainings of this project. I am sure that these initiatives are very timely and relevant today” - the second-year university student Taygareva Ainazik.

According to the president of the Association of Legal Clinics of Kyrgyzstan, Bakirov A., the cause of legal problems of youth is the lack of information among the population, especially among young people living in border regions, about the existing mechanisms of legal assistance, filing appeals. “Together with the UN development programme, we have done a great job to increase legal literacy in the regions, which is one of the directions aimed at implementing the Decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on declaring 2019 the Year of Regional Development and Digitalization of Kyrgyzstan,” said Artur Bakirov.

The project is funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and is implemented by UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA in Kyrgyzstan. The main goal is the development of good-neighborly and friendly relations between the youth of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, strengthening their social cohesion in the bordering regions of the two countries. The main participants in the project are young people aged 14 to 28 who will receive leadership skills, peacebuilding, legal knowledge and mini-grants for the implementation of the most demanded social entrepreneurship projects in the communities. The project also involves assisting the state bodies of Kyrgyzstan in implementing the planned activities for interdepartmental and interregional cooperation with colleagues from Uzbekistan.