Young People Gather in Fergana for Y-PEER training of trainers

During May 20-24, a training of trainers on the issues of healthy lifestyle, reproductive health and rights, gender equality and other important social issues will be held in Fergana city. The training is being jointly organized by UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and Centre for Youth Initiatives “Kelajak Ovozi”, within the frameworks of youth educational network supported by UNFPA, Y-PEER.

The four-day training will cover various aspects of healthy lifestyle, including reproductive health and rights, HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted infections, drug abuse, and many other issues. Twenty young people, activists from various regions of Uzbekistan, will participate in the training. Participants will also have a chance to develop their skills in peer-to-peer educational methods, volunteerism, leadership and communication.

The training of trainers has been designed for young people from various parts of Uzbekistan, who already have some background in volunteerism, working in socially-important projects under the aegis of “Kelajak Ovozi” or any other youth initiatives. Those trained in Fergana, will be able to themselves act as trainers, to pass their knowledge to peers in their communities. They will also become a part of Y-PEER youth educational network.

Young volunteers will also have a chance to meet like-minded young people from other regions of Uzbekistan, exchange experiences, participate in interactive sessions and discussions, as well as plan some joint projects for the future.

UNFPA and its partners have been organizing such training sessions for several years in a row. Y-PEER network, supported by UNFPA, was established in the country in 2005, and by now brings together more than 350 active volunteers in the country. In all, Y-PEER activists reach out to an estimated 30 thousand young people each year with information sessions on issues related to healthy lifestyle choices.

This initiative is unique in its approach of peer-to-peer education, which is seen as complement to formal education of healthy lifestyle and family issues.

Our trainers have tried to make the first day of the training as efficient as possible. There is a lot of new information, and a lot of work. I hope, the other days of the training will be similarly enriching, so that this becomes really useful learning experience!