«Bridges of Friendship in the Fergana Valley» Forum to Promote Peace and Tolerance in Central Asia

18 July, 2023, Fergana, Uzbekistan. Within the framework of the European Union-funded project, «Cross-Border and Cross-Sector Dialogue for Tolerance and Peace in Central Asia» the «Bridges of Friendship in the Fergana Valley» Forum will take place on July 18-19, 2023 (from 09:30 to 19:00) in Fergana, Republic of Uzbekistan.

This forum will bring together representatives of government agencies, youth leaders, and experts from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to present the results of the project and discuss issues of peacebuilding and sustainable development in the participating countries. The purpose of the forum is to present the project's results to key stakeholders and facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices in the field of peacebuilding, involving young people, experts, media, and educational institutions. Forum participants will work to strengthen partnerships and networks to enhance the resilience of the participating countries and the entire Central Asian region. As part of the two-day event, a program is planned that includes presentations of the results of work in the areas of the project, educational and information sessions, the generation of ideas for future joint actions of young people, as well as the development of recommendations for projects aimed at peacebuilding and reducing the risks of radicalization and extremism. The participants will also evaluate the effectiveness and contribution of the project to the development of dialogue and peace-building among youth and civil society in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Forum will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss the results of the project and develop concepts for future sustainable interaction. Forum participants include representatives of the European Union, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, representatives of state bodies, youth leaders, recipients of sub-grants within the framework of the project, as well as representatives of the Centers for Friendship, Interethnic Accord, and Tolerance. The Forum "Bridges of Friendship in the Ferghana Valley" is an important step in the development of youth cooperation and confidence-building between the countries of the region. It aims to create a peaceful and tolerant environment where young leaders and state structures can work together to achieve sustainable development. The organizers of the forum program invite journalists and media representatives for coverage. We invite you to take part in the Forum "Bridges of Friendship in the Ferghana Valley" and share information about its significance for the countries of Central Asia