Empowering youth to foster positive change: OSCE launches “Crime Prevention and Lawful Behaviour” training course in schools of Kyrgyzstan

The OSCE, in co-operation with the OSCE Academy in Bishkek and the Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan, held a training course from 21 to 25 August 2023 in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to help teachers use an OSCE-developed curriculum on crime prevention and lawful behaviour for students in grades 5 to 11.

The 27 teachers from 18 schools across Kyrgyzstan learned more about the curriculum and how to use it, while also expanding their knowledge of organized crime, corruption and illegal drug use. They also learned effective teaching methodologies to further strengthen students’ resilience and reduce the likelihood of young people’s engagement in illegal and corrupt activities.

“Fostering a culture of lawfulness and integrity among future generations is one of the priorities for the Government of Kyrgyzstan,” said Kyialbek Akmatov, Head of the School Education Policy Department of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan. “We are pleased to have developed, thanks to OSCE support, the school curriculum that will equip youth with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand, respect and actively promote the rule of law and integrity across our country.”

The curriculum is designed to help Kyrgyz students learn about the risks and consequences of criminal behaviour, including organized crime, corruption and illegal drug use. The curriculum will be piloted across 18 schools in Kyrgyzstan over the forthcoming 2023/2024 school year. More than 10,000 students are expected to benefit from the pilot programme.

The OSCE developed the curriculum through consultations with stakeholders across Kyrgyzstan after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on youth crime prevention in April 2022 between the OSCE Academy in Bishkek and the Government of Kyrgyzstan.  

The MoU underscores the OSCE’s commitment to supporting Kyrgyz authorities in implementing their national commitments within the Youth State Policy and the State Anti-Corruption and Drug Control Strategies, both of which emphasize the importance of youth education in the rule of law and integrity.

These efforts are part of the OSCE-wide multi-year project, Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption, which is funded by Germany and Poland. Other donors supporting this project are Andorra and Italy.