Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (December14, 2009) – UNDP Poverty Reduction Programme has launched “Localization of the Millennium Development Goals in Naryn oblast” Project. This is the first project aimed at adapting eight development goals at oblast, rayon, aiyl okrug and village levels, that are designed to address extreme poverty reduction, achievement of universal primary education, promotion of gender equality and women empowerment, child mortality reduction, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop global partnership. These goals have its indicators on global and country levels.
A special team of MDG ambassadors were organized within the project. The team includes the most active young people from Naryn oblast selected through a competition by a special committee based on essays submitted on MDG development in Naryn oblast and after an interview with the candidates as well.
Recently, Poverty Reduction Programme specialists have arranged training workshops for MDG ambassadors, where they obtained wide range of information on socio-economic situation in Kyrgyzstan and key issues on MDG. Moreover, the ambassadors have studied presentation skills, team building skills, leadership skills and public speaking skills. UNDP specialists expect that knowledge and skills obtained will enable the young people to be the active members of the society and be of some benefit to their country.
It should be noted that MDG ambassadors are young people, who are not indifferent to the fate of their motherland. During discussions, they expressed their anxieties on problems existing in Naryn oblast today: poverty, unemployment, low level of education and healthcare. The highest discussion took place on wastes management. At present, all wastes are discharged into Naryn river and people from villages located along the river stream have to use contaminated water that is, surely, harmful for their health. High level of brucellosis among the youth, child and maternal mortality rates are also disturbing. Young people are assured that one of the main reasons of the mentioned problems is very poor awareness of people.
Akylai Duishenalieva from Kazybek village of At-Bashy rayon believes that future of Naryn oblast and Kyrgyzstan heavily depends on youth. “Active participation of young people in social activities will make a contribution to the development. I have a dream to be an electrical engineer and work for the benefit of my village”, - says Akylai, MDG ambassador. Today Akylai is a president of her school; she is also a captain of the school volleyball team. Everybody respects Akylai in her village. According to her, the whole village saw Akylai off to the training arranged by Poverty Reduction Programme. “I am planning to make a meeting in my school and tell children about goals and objectives of this project aimed at development of Naryn oblast”,- Akylai said.
Aigerim Toktonalieva arrived from Uchkun village of Naryn oblast. Aigerim writes wonderful poems. Her astonishing talent is well known outside the village as well. Having learnt that her village Uchkun is one of the pilot villages for the project, she wrote a poem, each couplet of which covers each MDG. Collections of her poems are often published in the oblast newspaper. In future, she plans to be a poetess and a journalist.
Erkinbek Joldoshbek uluu from Min-Bulak village of Naryn rayon studies at professional lyceum for veterinary-agronomist and is a student of Naryn State University. He was not so keen on social life of his village as he was involved in family job. His parents have been living and working in Russia for 6 years and Erkinbek had to take care of his little brothers and sisters in his 18. Erkinbek hopes that his activity as an ambassador on MDG will make difference to his life. “Before, my life was not interesting – routine problems, meetings with friends. Now, I think everything will change. I learnt a lot from this workshop, met with interesting people and made new friends. I thank my destiny and UNDP for making me a part of the Ambassadors team”.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – is the UN global system in the development sphere, addressing to the positive changes in peoples’ life, providing the countries-members an access to the sources of knowledge, experience and resources. Our activity is on the territory of 166 countries, contributing to searching for the global and national issues in the development sphere. During the potential development process, the countries use an experience and skills of the UNDP staff and its partners’ community.
Learn more from Aida Mambetkulova at 391816 or intern@prp.undp.kg.
