MINI GRANT REPORT FROM BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN

“Youth for Deliberate Choice!” programs December 11-14, 2007
The “Youth for Deliberate Choice!” election education programs were held in Bishkek in advance of the national Parliamentary Elections. The goal was to excite and involve more young people in the upcoming Elections. And they succeeded!

These dynamic programs took place at three universities in Bishkek: the International University of Kyrgyzstan (December 12), Kyrgyz State University after I.Arabaev (December 14), and Bishkek State University of Economy and Business (December 11). More than 205 students, university teachers and local mass-media participated!  The events were initiated and conducted by CIB volunteers (participants of the project “Democracy and Youth,” students from IUK and KSU). The student volunteers were mentored by Taken Akylbekova (Director of the International Education Office at IUK), Rector Askarbek Bekboev of Kyrgyz State University, Bishkek State University of Economy and Entrepreneurship (BSUEE), and Asel Kuttubaeva, Project Manager of the NGO “Interbilim.”

The two-hour program was aimed at enabling young people to expand their knowledge and awareness of Parliamentary Elections, election rights, the new Parliamentary Election system. In addition, the students developed skills to analyze election platforms and the qualifications of party leaders. All participants expressed a new inspiration to take an active part in the democratic process!

At each venue, the event concluded with an exciting performance of the student club “Smart and Cheery” on the topic of “Youth for deliberate choice and voting!” The performers called upon the students to make informed choices, and not to be indifferent to the democratic process.

The halls where the actions took place were nicely decorated with balloons and posters such as: “Your vote is not to be measured with money!” “Your choice - your life!” “Electing is your right, your right is your life!”  “Don’t be affected by the agitation, learn and make your choice!”  

As a result,  205 people directly participated in the program; and at least 400 more young people received the impact of the program. Participants received knowledge about their election rights, the new Parliamentary Election System, the essence of political parties, styles of leadership, and developed new skills to analyze political leaders through discussions, mini-lectures, and exercises.
In addition, the participants discussed the current situation of young people: their problems, potential and way to solve the problems.  The programs were reported in websites and youth radio programs.