Young Womens Leadership Conference, May 9-11 2002
INTRODUCTION
From May 9-11, twenty young women representing four Central Asian countries gathered at the Aurora Sanatorium at Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to discuss leadership and gender equality issues and explore how they could become more effective women's advocates in their societies. Five students each from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the conference, representing diverse regions of each country. Two instructors and one teacher-mentor from each country also took part, accompanied by an IFES gender specialist from each of its offices. Students received training through interactive activities designed to promote understanding of gender equality issues, leadership, and a woman's role in a democratic society. The students also enhanced their communications and public-speaking skills through personal development modules. Students were provided with computer training and obtained free email accounts to promote their correspondence and continued networking after the conference. The event afforded the girls the opportunity to develop new friendships, enhance their leadership skills, improve their communications abilities, and strengthen their knowledge in and advocacy skills of gender equality.
IFES/Kyrgyzstan, together with the Institute of Equal Rights and Opportunities and Altynay Karasaeva's School of Women Political Leadership, organized the event, which was officially called "Women Political Leadership in a New Dimension." Participating girls represented the 10th and 11th grades of secondary schools.
In accordance with reporting requirements, a final program report will be completed and distributed by October 30, 2002.
