I have already read Shirin’s essay, and thought that it could also be interesting for you, readers, to read about youth participation at this stage. One reason why I decided to tell you about this theme will probably become evident, if we try to answer the following question: Is there any help and support from the Government for Youth? Do Youth Organizations in Kyrgyzstan work purposefully for developing youth policy?

Revolutionary events of March in Kyrgyzstan have shown that the major force that overthrew the former Akaev regime was mainly made up of youth and the activists of youth movements as “Birge!”, “Kelkel”. Most of us after March 24 thought that the Kyrgyzstan’s Youth had woken, and would begin to work fully and independently work from then on. But at the present time, as we have realized, political decisions are most frequently prepared and accepted without the active involvement of Youth. The evidence for this is, for example, how the structure of our government was agreed. Most Youth Organizations and Movements were not in agreement with the project, where the Department of Youth Affairs was moved to the Ministry of Education, as it could change nothing. They [youth organisations - ed.] wanted this committee be independent of any Ministries, Committees - it could have been a State Committee (Department) for Youth Policy for example. But regrettably, they couldn’t do anything, as their voices weren’t heard.

Therefore youth organizations face the issue of how to proceed further. They have the potential to become an excellent opportunity for young people in Kyrgyzstan to form their civil position and be actively engaged in the political life of the country. The problem is that effective activity by them requires intellectual and practical experience, which young people often do not have. This means the youth organizations should learn from the experience of foreign, such as European and American and even Russian, movements. Only after gaining more experience from other countries, can they work more effectively. The government should pay much attention to this formational and developmental stage of Kyrgyzstan’s youth movements.

It is also worth mentioning that 2 weeks ago, we, leaders of youth organizations and movements, including “Birge!”, “KelKel”, “Student’s Union of Kyrgyzstan”, “Youth Club of Kyrgyzstan” and others had a meeting in the office of the International Center “Interbilim”, where we discussed increasing the role of youth participation in political processes. Also, we decided to unite in one committee for Democracy defending (working name) and take an active part in formation of the Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan and control and plan alternative activities of a State Youth Department. (On this question I hope to collect your opinions).

To conclude, I am being honest in saying that currently there are more and more people who understand the necessity of youth involvement in political processes. The argument for this is that young people are the ones who are most inclined to develop and consider new thoughts, fresh ideas, erudition, energy and courage. I hope that the Youth Policy will develop positively from day to day through the support of independent youth organisations.

Warm greetings,

Mirsuljan Namazaliev,
michu.kg@mail.ru
Coordinator of the People’s Youth Movement “Birge!”
Member of Blogger’s team kyrgyzstan.neweurasia.net

P.S. My next blog will probably be about the activity of “Birge!” Youth Movement