On 17 to 21 July 2023, the OSCE Secretariat, in co-operation with the Programme Office in Dushanbe, held the Central Asia Youth Dialogue Forum on the rule of law, integrity and crime prevention in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Forum gathered around 25 young people from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia to build confidence and trust among youth in the region.
The event served as a platform for Central Asian and Mongolian youth to identify and discuss key security challenges concerning the rule of law, integrity, and crime prevention. The interactive discussions led to the development of concrete policy recommendations and ideas aimed at enhancing these areas within their communities and the wider Central Asian region. These recommendations were presented to representatives of the Permanent Missions of Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States to the OSCE, as well as representatives of the Embassies of the United Kingdom and the United States in Kazakhstan.
One distinctive feature of the Dialogue Forum was its emphasis on meaningful youth engagement and capacity building. The event was largely youth-driven, with young individuals from the Central Asia Network by Consensus acting as facilitators for various sessions. This inclusive approach aimed to strengthen regional ties and create a supportive environment for young individuals to work together towards common goals.
“Fostering the culture of lawfulness among youth is one of the highest priorities for the Government of Kazakhstan. It is a pleasure for us to co-operate with the OSCE and host this important Forum in our country to give youth a platform to discuss the issues of crime prevention, integrity, and rule of law,” said Mr. Rollan Kuspan, Deputy Chair of the Committee of Youth and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Parvina Saidova, representative of the Central Asia Network by Consensus said, “Youth dialogue and exchange across Central Asia are essential for fostering understanding, collaboration, and a peer-to-peer approach, enabling youth to become active agents of positive change.”
The outcomes of the Forum clearly highlighted the significance of including the perspectives of young people in shaping policies regarding the rule of law, integrity, and crime prevention. The active involvement of youth demonstrates their potential as catalysts for positive change in their communities and the Central Asian region as a whole.
The Forum was held as part of the OSCE-wide multi-year project: “Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption“, which is funded by Germany. Other donors supporting this project are Andorra, Italy and Poland.
Source: Mirage News
