Switzerland and UNDP in Kyrgyzstan supported the development of interactive tools for civic education of youth

March 12, 2021

Board games and mobile games for civic education photo: Institute for Youth Development

Bishkek, 12^th March 2021 - Interactive informational and educational tools applicable in "Person and Society" school classes were presented in Bishkek. The interactive kit includes 7 board games, 2 mobile games and 1 interactive map for developing civic and personal competencies, as well as raising legal literacy and awareness of the state system.

The games were developed by the Institute for Youth Development Public Foundation (IYD) with the support of the Strong and Inclusive Parliamentary Democracy (SIPD) project designed and funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by UNDP Kyrgyzstan.

Fourteen pilot schools from six regions of Kyrgyzstan will be the first to receive the kits. This past weekend, TOTs were held for teachers of the "Person and Society" subject on the use of a kit of interactive information and educational tools in civic education. The goal of the initiative is to encourage interest in youth in how government works, how one person can influence the development of a country and participate in decision-making processes, and to increase legal literacy, awareness of human rights and mechanisms to protect them. Board games and mobile games developed as part of the project, enhance in youth personal competencies, such as critical thinking, argumentation and debate skills, and effective decision-making. All games and the interactive map are in two – Kyrgyz and Russian languages.

The board games kit includes "Parliament", "Quiz", "Code of Memory and Rights", “Candebates” , "Law", "Guess the Law", "Community". Each of the games simulates different situations of branch of power, state bodies and citizens' interactions. The interactive "Map of the Declaration of Human Rights" allows students to learn the Declaration through images, guessing and reasoning which clause is represented on pictures set by the moderator/teacher.

IYD Program Manager Azhara Kasmalieva noted that the Parliamentary Days and Candidate mobile games are available for free download oт PlayMarket and AppStore. "All developments are aimed at increasing civic engagement, education, promotion of democratic values to strengthen the participation of Kyrgyz youth in decision-making processes" - stressed A. Kasmalieva.