Participants focused on management of interethnic relations at a local level in the Kyrgyz Republic
On 2 and 3 December 2020, the Max Planck Foundation in close cooperation with the State Agency for Local Self-Government and Interethnic Relations under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, conducted a training to raise awareness of 25 regional executive secretaries of public-facing offices of the State Agency on the protection and promotion of the rights of women from ethnic communities. This forms part of the Foundation’s EU-funded project “Fighting against discrimination of women from ethnic minorities and ensuring their equal access to public services”.
On the first day, the local trainer, the chairwoman of the National Centre of Mediation, presented and discussed the applicable standards on women’s rights. She also provided essential information on the application of conflict-sensitive approaches to working with different population groups at a local level. The participants also examined various mediation toolkits that can contribute to resolving local conflict situations.
The trainer conducted the second day of the training at the offices of the Sokoluk Administration. Sokuluk is the most populous region of the Chui Oblast in the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim was to raise awareness and share experiences in managing interethnic relations. Furthermore, the role of legal aid services was also addressed. The Akim of the Sokuluk region pointed out that there are 400,000 inhabitants representing 64 different nationalities residing in the region. He equally stressed that more information and assistance should be provided to improve the lives of ethnic communities in Sokuluk.