Youth Engagement for Positive Social Change
UNICEF and Partners Launch New Digital Platform for Youth in Uzbekistan
TASHKENT, 5 October 2018 – About 6oo young people – school children, students of the colleges and universities, members of the Youth Union of Uzbekistan, officials and representatives from governmental, public and international organizations, media gathered at the ‘Zarafshan’ Media Hall to attend the launch of U-Report, a new digital platform for youth engagement.
I am very glad that the global U-Report project has finally been launched in my country – Uzbekistan, where 60% of the population consists of youth. Such open source platforms are needed in emerging countries to provide the state with young people feedbacks in order to achieve positive social changes. I’m sure that our community will get the benefit from the function of U-report project and as a volunteer, I will do my best to contribute to its promotion among the population.
U-Report is launched by UNICEF, in partnership with the Youth Union of Uzbekistan, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Ministry of Public Education and Ucell telecom operator.
I’m proud to be a part of this project. Hopefully, there will be a lot of modifications in the country and the government’s politics after U-Report is launched. I think this is a great advance in terms of youth politics.
U-Report provides an opportunity for young people to participate in issues that matter in their lives. They are engaged by regular polls through SMS, Facebook, Telegram and special App for smartphones. These polls focus on issues such as education, health, and employment. Results can be used to inform decision-making by the Government, Youth Union, and the Parliament. It is an interactive way to bring the youth and the Government closer together.
Understanding the challenges and risks faced by children and youth in Uzbekistan is key to ensuring their well-being. This plays a major role in improving policies, which will benefit them in the long term, and take Uzbekistan to the next level of its socio-economic development...
...when young people see that their voice matters, they have a stronger sense of engagement and civic participation.
The platform already exists in 49 countries of the world, and Uzbekistan is the first among Central Asian countries to launch this innovative initiative.
Join via FB: https://www.facebook.com/UReportUzbekistan/
It is important that young people receive attention and support from the Government. Ucell is happy to cooperate with UNICEF and other partners in the implementation of U-Report. This platform gives youth the opportunity to express their aspirations. They will be able to better share their thoughts and participate in those aspects of social life that are most important for them, and receive feedback.
ABOUT UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work in Uzbekistan, visit www.unicef.uz
For further information please contact:
Jamilya Nurjanova, U-Report manager, UNICEF Uzbekistan E-mail: jnurjanova@unicef.org
Nargiza Egamberdieva, Communication Officer, UNICEF Uzbekistan,
Phone: + 998 93 380 34 19
E-mail: negamberdieva@unicef.org
