The future is in the hands of the new generation

Today’s youth makes up more than 60% of the population in Uzbekistan. Perhaps, that is why it is so obvious that all state and social reformations prioritize nurturing of comprehensively advanced generation of young people, who are polymathic and proficient, who can think independently, and in a new way. Reforms in all spheres of society open up new prospects for young people to express themselves freely, participate in economic activities, and fulfill themselves in entrepreneurship.

There are socio-economic and legal conditions and guarantees for young people to grow socially and develop, fulfill their potential for the benefit of the whole society. A clear social orientation is a distinguishing feature of the youth policy pursued in the country. The youth policy is grounded on the Constitution, 22 laws and regulatory acts that regulate social, economic and other relations that touch upon the interests of young people. The Law ‘On state youth policy in the Republic of Uzbekistan’ of November, 1991 is a legislative flagship in this direction.

The state policy on support of the younger generation is highly appreciated abroad. Uzbek national models of protection of health, continuing education and upbringing of comprehensively advanced younger generation is recognized throughout the world.

Education system undergoes reformation. Over the years of independence the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ‘On Education’ was adopted, as well as the National Staff Training Program, which is unique in its core. The acts have built a single continuous twelve-year free education system. It implies a nine-year study at school and three years of high school or vocational college. Great efforts are aimed at equipping all levels of education with modern facilities. The quality of education is ensured by the development of staff training system on the principle of ‘from school to enterprise’. The system implies that a graduating student is provided with a place for practical training at an enterprise with the possibility of further employment.

At this stage, much attention is paid to the study of foreign languages. The Resolution ‘On the measures for further improvement of learning of foreign languages’, as signed by the president last December, provided the opportunity to learn English from the first grade. It is expected that the radical improvement of the system of learning of foreign languages for the younger generation would provide the professionals who freely apply the achievements of world civilization and global information resources. Incidentally, certain subjects at the universities, especially those pertaining to technical and international specialties, will be taught in foreign languages in upcoming academic year.

To date, advanced educational technologies and interactive teaching methods are used at all levels of education. Istedod Foundation carries out great work of advancing the skills of promising young teachers and research staff. Its activities are focused on the further development of the education system in the country, the widespread introduction of modern information technologies in the teaching and learning process, enhancement of professional knowledge and skills of young teachers and researchers. Dozens of special programs of full-time and distance learning have been developed for workers of institutions of higher, special secondary and vocational education, and schools. There is the Distance Learning Center that runs the remote training system meeting international standards. The work is carried out in collaboration with leading universities of Uzbekistan and other countries.

It is obvious that the growing country’s authority and its competitiveness on the global stage largely depend on the development of intellectual and creative capacity of young people. Therefore, special attention is given to revealing and encouraging talented young people. The head of the state initiated instituting of Zulfiya State Award, which honors the top representatives of youth, who achieve success in study, work and social life. Young dancers, musicians and singers are awarded the Nihol Prize for their achievements in the arts.

Youth organizations in Uzbekistan promote implementation of huge intellectual and creative potential of the younger generation.

Nongovernmental non-profit organizations make a great contribution to the development of young people, through bringing millions of young people together. NGOs are actively involved in the process of building a democratic state and civil society, work in spiritual, educational, social and economic spheres, offer projects to support talented young people, develop sports and physical activity, and promote healthy lifestyle.

Many targeted state programs are successfully underway. The high performance of this work is provided by expanding social partnership between state authorities and administration and social structures, including the Youth’s Public Movement Kamolot, which unites 5.5 million young men and women, the Mahalla Republican Charitable Fund, and others.

National creativity contests under the auspices of the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation open up hundreds of talents. The Foundation provides support to young talents, gifted young people and creative dynasties. Since its foundation in 2004 the Foundation has been running a range of projects for young people: the Bolajonlar-Shirintoylar Festival, where young designers can display their talents, the Republican Children’s Art Festival Yangi Avlod, which is held annually with the support of the children’s organization Kamalak, republican youth contest Kelajak Ovozi, which has been held in four directions since 2009. By the way, in 2013 the number of participants of Kelajak Ovozi has reached 84,000, which was a record number for competitions in Uzbekistan.

Involvement of talented young people in science is an important area of youth policy in Uzbekistan. The most talented students able to express themselves in study and community activities are awarded the State Grant of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The annual Republican Fair of Innovative Ideas, Technologies and Projects is another striking example. It has been held annually since 2008 at the initiative of the state’s leader, offering many promising innovations by young scientists and students.

Uzbekistan assigns a big part to employing graduates of vocational colleges and academic lyceums. The staff is specially trained for certain industries and sectors through tripartite agreements between education institutions, enterprises, and students themselves. The system has proved its value and presently yields good outcomes.

Thousands of new jobs open up each year. Small business and private entrepreneurship is developing at priority rates with increasing involvement of the youth. As of the beginning of 2013, as part of promotion of youth business initiatives commercial banks have issued 690 certificates to business entities for preferential loans in the amount of 66.4 billion soums (Currency rates of CB from 04.09.2013 1$=2129.72soums). It is worth noting that 9.2 billion of them were used to fund business ideas of 419 graduates of educational institutions.

The government cares about the health of the younger generation.

Along with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan this work involves many state and public organizations like YPM Kamolot, Women’s Committee, trade unions, self-government bodies. The meetings on raising young people’s awareness on healthy lifestyles are regularly held with participation of health workers. Along with that, the work is underway on the reconstruction and equipping of the Republican Specialized Research Center of Pediatrics, Hospital of Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute, and regional diversified children’s health centers in order to ensure that the younger generation is growing physically fit and healthy. The program aimed at early detection and prevention of birth of children with developmental disabilities is carried out through building a network of screening centers across the country. There are the programs on promotion of breastfeeding and free vaccination of children under the National Immunization Calendar. It is also noteworthy that the Uzbek model of reproductive health was assessed by the UN as the best regional program for Eastern Europe, the Baltic States and the CIS.

The young country cares about its young people, and this concern yields its fruits. Today, we can proudly talk about our athletes and junior national teams who proudly raise the flag of Uzbekistan on world stages, about the young doctors who already save lives at their 30, about scientists who open up new horizons in science ... This all is the result of tremendous work on building the country’s future.

(Source: “Uzbekistan Today” Newspaper)