The current development of international relations shows how closely and seriously youth issues should be addressed. It never happens that the younger generation on its own reaches the level of understanding responsibility for the fate of the people and the state. Probably, proper guidance in these matters should be the focus of efforts by both families, public and state structures.
Education begins in the family and continues in educational and public institutions. In Turkmenistan, the Law "On State Youth Policy" was timely adopted to guide work in this direction, defining the main goals objectives and principles of youth policy development. Another document, the State Program on State Youth Policy of Turkmenistan for 2021-2025 , outlines the main tasks for working with youth, particularly fostering patriotism and preserving the moral foundations of the state. Recently, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a decree approving the Strategy for International Cooperation of Youth of Turkmenistan until 2030, which aims to actively develop relations with youth from other countries in various fields.
What could be better for youth from different countries than participation in joint festivals, forums, symposiums, cultural and sporting events? From life experience, it is known that acquaintances and friendships formed at such events typically leave the best long-lasting impressions. Friendly relationships formed during student years remain in memory for a long time. In this regard, the decision of CIS leaders to combine efforts for more effective joint activities aimed at bringing youth closer together finds universal support. For example, the Global Youth Festival held in June this year in Tashkent, the CIS youth capital, became unforgettable in this respect.
One of the festival organizers, the Youth Affairs Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, defined the main goal of the forum as building connections between young and active people from around the world who will together build a common future - a fair multipolar world based on cooperation and finding a balance of interests.
The youth festival took place in five cities of Uzbekistan - Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Jizzakh and Khiva. It included a scientific-practical conference on youth issues, a meeting of youth parliaments, a business marathon with young entrepreneurs from Commonwealth countries, a young reciters' competition and a chess tournament. Most events were held at the Youth Creativity Palace, in front of which a special monument was unveiled.
A diverse entertainment and cultural program was organized for festival participants, including exhibitions, cultural parades and various competitions. Tashkent was the first among Commonwealth cities to be declared the CIS youth capital. Despite the youth festival in Uzbekistan was held for the first time, representatives from over 150 countries participated.
Guests and hosts of the festival unanimously agreed that all events, from the forum's opening to the university exhibition, play an important role for youth. These events unite talented young people in different fields, allowing them to exchange ideas, share practices, and jointly develop new concepts that will further extend their cooperation.
The youth of Turkmenistan, by participating in the international festival events, gained experience in organizing similar activities while also contributing to its successful implementation.
Vepa Dovletgeldiyev,
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Social Sciences of the International University for the Humanities and Development.
