Launch of the Youth as Researchers Project in Central Asia, organized by UNESCO Almaty Regional Office, UNESCO Office in Tashkent, International Centre for the Rapprochement of Cultures, and Kazakhstan National Federation of Clubs for UNESCO.
This exciting project empowers young people across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to engage in research on critical themes that impact their communities. Through this initiative, nine youth research groups have been selected to focus on five key topics:
- Promotion of Science
- Peace and Intercultural Dialogue
- Gender Equality
- Youth Mental Health
- Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Over several months, these youth groups will undergo comprehensive training in research methodologies, particularly in the social and human sciences. This training will equip them with the necessary tools to develop impactful knowledge products, which will contain recommendations on the selected topics. The findings will be shared with the National Commissions and Permanent Delegations to UNESCO of the participating countries.
The Youth as Researchers (YAR) programme, which is part of a global UNESCO initiative, is designed to empower young people to conduct research that addresses the issues they face. By equipping youth with research skills, YAR fosters evidence-based advocacy, encourages active participation in policy discussions, and strengthens their roles as agents of change in society.