Bishkek, September 29, 2022 - A coordination meeting on "The Role of Religious Leaders in Promoting a Shared Civic Identity Concept “Kyrgyz Jarany" was held with representatives of the State Commission on Religious Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic (SCRA), Department of Research, Policy Development and Reform Implementation of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, religious organizations, NGOs and UN agencies in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz jarany is a citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic who has the rights and responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic regardless of ethnic, religious, social and regional belonginess. "Kyrgyz jarany" comes from the name of the country, the Kyrgyz Republic, and is a shared civic identity that unites all ethnic communities while respecting for their ethno-cultural identity.

The meeting presented the results of the research conducted by the Center of Religious Studies under the SCRA KR - "The Potential of Imams in Promoting a shred civic identity concept “Kyrgyz Jarany" and "The Role of Religious Leaders in the Formation of Shared Civic Identity of Youth." Also, the meeting presented the results of the research conducted by the Central Asian Research Center of Kyrgyz-Turkish University "Manas" on the perception of the Concept "Kyrgyz Jarany" by ethnic and religious communities and supported by UNDP. In addition, the results of the U-Report (Youth-Report) survey on youth awareness of the Concept, as part of a global initiative of UNICEF, were presented

Nurgul Esenamanova, Ph.D. in political science, researcher noted: "The concept of "Kyrgyz Jarany" is perceived positively by religious communities, it was noted it coincides with the essential religious principles of such ideas as unity, harmony and is seen as assistance in the implementation and restoration of rights and freedoms to religion. At the same time, in the implementation of the Concept it is necessary to adhere to inclusiveness, involvement of youth representatives of religious and ethnic groups."

Based on the results of the research and the survey, recommendations were made to promote sociocultural, spiritual and civic identity and social cohesion for all institutions involved in the implementation of the "Kyrgyz Jarany" Concept.

UN in Kyrgyzstan supports through the projects "Inclusive Governance and Civil Identity for Sustainable Peace and Development," funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and implemented by UNDP, UNICEF and OHCHR, and the UNDP project "Strengthening Resilience to Violent Extremism in Asia (STRIVE Asia, EU-UN Joint Partnership), funded by the European Union.

Photos from the event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA96tu

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Contacts for media: Nurzhan Alymkanova, UNDP Communications Specialist, nurzhan.alymkanova@undp.org