Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Eighth-grade students from the Presidential School in Jizzakh — Ismatullo Bakhtiyorov, Yulduz Juluboyeva, and Rukhshona Isakova — have won first place in the prestigious World of 8 Billion international video contest, which this year brought together over 4,600 participants from 67 countries.
Their 60-second video, titled A Bright Future for Every Child, explores the impact of global population growth on child well-being. The students proposed practical solutions focused on the fair distribution of resources — including investments in education, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture.
“We often discuss child well-being in class, and we wanted to look at the issue from a global perspective and offer universal solutions,” said Rukhshona Isakova.
Each team member brings unique talents and ambitious goals to the table:
Ismatullo is a graphic designer, photographer, video editor, musician, and taekwondo athlete with an impressive portfolio.
Yulduz is passionate about historical fantasy, dreams of becoming a writer, and is interested in biology, chemistry, volleyball, and chess.
Rukhshona is a singer and dancer who enjoys animation, physics, and computer science.
All three aspire to study at an Ivy League university, seeing this victory as a stepping stone toward their future.
The 2025 competition focused on how population growth affects three major global issues:
Child Well-being: Including physical and emotional health, and access to essential services and resources.
Tropical Forest Ecosystems: Addressing biodiversity threats due to climate change, deforestation, and human activity.
Sanitation: Highlighting the importance of clean water and safe waste disposal in promoting public health.
John Seager, President of Population Connection, which organizes the contest, remarked:
“Thousands of participants demonstrated not only creativity, but also a deep sense of awareness and shared responsibility for the planet’s future.”
The contest is held annually through the Population Education program and judged by a panel of educators, documentarians, and sustainability experts. This year’s submissions showcased a remarkable range of solutions — from solar compost toilets to agroforestry initiatives and public transport reforms.
Prize details:
US$1,200 for first place, US$600 for second, and US$300 honorable mention for high school students;
US$600 and US$300 for first and second place in the middle school category, respectively.
Uzbekistan’s young changemakers continue to make their mark on the global stage — this time, with a powerful message about children’s futures in an ever-growing world.
