Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The summer school for young leaders of Fergana Valley was held with the support of the Youth Affairs Agency in the framework of the United Nations joint program "Youth for a social harmony in Fergana valley". The summer school lasted from 20 to 27 June 2021, at the Youth Camp of the Youth Union of Uzbekistan in Bostonlyk area, Tashkent region. 

The youth in Uzbekistan plays an important role in building a democratic state and free civil society. Effective youth public policy ensures social, political, and spiritual development of the society. There is a strong need for a specific platform enabling young people to actively participate in the social life of the country, the mechanism that allows to train young women and men in leadership and management.

The Summer School of Leadership has demonstrated the eagerness of young people to join decision -making tables in the social, economic, and political spheres and promote initiatives and ideas, and help opinion leaders contribute to the stability of society. At the same time, young leaders can impact and inspire other young people as role models and active representatives of the community.

Young women and men from Andijan, Namangan and Fergana regions aged 18 to 30 had a chance to acquire knowledge and advance their skills in critical thinking, legal awareness, leadership, communication, mediation, and other skills that contribute to engaging in civil society. As a final stage, young people were suggested to develop a community action plan to convey to the public and decision-makers the social problems identified by young women and men during the analysis of the development of districts, cities, regions and the country as a whole.

A total of 1,334 applications were submitted to participate in the summer leadership school, 888 out of them were in Uzbek and 246 were in Russian languages: 601 from Fergana region, 275 from Namangan and 258 from Andijan regions. 606 applications were received from women and 528 - men. 80 people, whose applications and motivational essays were selected as the best ones, received invitations to participate in the training program (36 girls and 44 boys).

At the official opening ceremony, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Ms. Matilda Dimovska noted that “Uzbekistan, like other countries, needs more rapid development, one of the most important requirements of which is the search and development of strong leaders among the younger generation. The best leaders are people who regularly educate themselves, stay in touch with their teams, and respond to their needs."

Based on the results of the training program, participants will present their projects to solve urgent problems in the area they represent.

- I am very glad to have the opportunity to be a part of this school. One week of training gave me the skills I needed to be a leader. Every day we shared new ideas, knowledge and initiatives. Most importantly, I learned how to be the needed person and how I can benefit my peers. In the future, I plan to use all the knowledge and skills I have acquired for the development of my country - said Anora Zoxidova from Andijan.

- From the day I heard that I was admitted to this camp, I was so excited. The most memorable part of the week-long summer school for me was the unique impression that each session was held in an unconventional, interactive way, using modern methodologies. Starting with yoga exercises early in the morning changed my outlook on life. We tried to reveal, develop and demonstrate the individual potential of each participant through interactive games, psychological training and communicated knowledge and skills, - said Diyorbek Soataliev from Namangan.

- I am very happy to have the opportunity to become a participant of the "Leadership  Summer School". I would like to thank the organizers for all the work, especially the rich and meaningful curriculum, logistics, accommodation and other created conditions. The camp has become a place to gain experience and enthusiasm, build capacity and make new acquaintances. I hope that such projects will develop and leave a lot of positive impressions on the participants and contribute to their personal growth, - said Elizaveta Adoneva from Fergana.

On the last day of the summer school, according to the results of the training program, the participants, as representatives of their respective regions, presented their projects to address the current issues. In the final part, participants were awarded with certificates on completion.