On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention, students of AUCA met with the UNICEF Representative in Kyrgyzstan

October 21, 2014

Burning problems faced by children and how students can help – was the main line of discussion during UNICEF Representative Yukie Mokuo’ public lecture at the American University of Central Asia on 20 October.

UNICEF initiated this discussion to increase young people’s understanding of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its implementation in Kyrgyzstan.

This year, the world celebrates 25^th anniversary of the Convention. It remains to be the widest and most rapidly ratified convention of UN.  Kyrgyzstan marks 20^th anniversary since its ratification. It is not just a promise. It foresees clearly stated responsibilities and strict reporting mechanisms. Over two decades, the Government and civil society submitted four reports to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The latest – the consolidated Third and Fourth ones were sent in May 2014. In response, the Committee provided The Concluding Observations and Recommendations which identified main concerns and defined priorities for the country for the coming 5 years.  

After learning about international mechanisms and legal instruments, the students did their best to answer questions related to the situation of children in Kyrgyzstan. To start with, they struggled with the definition of a child. Who is a child? Some suggested that a child was a person under seven. The others guessed that the age definition should 10 or 14. Finally, the correct answer was articulated: child is a person under 18. Then, the students learnt about under-nutrition of children and its costs for the country. According the latest analysis, under-nutrition costs Kyrgyzstan 32 million USD a year. It is a loss in productivity due to increased mortality and reduced cognitive and physical development. Iodine deficiency alone during childhood or pregnancy may cost a child a loss in IQ from 10-15 point to cretinism.   

Together with the head of the NGA department, Elisabeta Zelinka, Ms Yukie Mokuo invited all students of NGA to the “UNICEF – Statement of Purpose Internship Competition” for the UNICEF Internship Program.

The winners of the competition “UNICEF - Statement of Purpose Internship Competition” will have the distinguished opportunity to complete an internship with UNO Bishkek – UNICEF.

At the end, one of the students stopped Yukie Mokuo in the corridor with a question: what to read about children. Besides important reports, concerns, analysis, there are also interesting books to read to better understand children. One can start with rereading Antoine Sent Exupery “The Little Prince” and Janusz Korczak “How to Love a Child”. What else to read? is now an open question in UNICEF Facebook page. Please share your suggestions on www.facebook.com/unicefkg  

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