Students and professors of the “Ala-Too” International University celebrated Democracy Day with the support of the Burana Research Institute, AIU and UNDP Kyrgyzstan.

The International Democracy Day is an excellent occasion to pay attention to the state of democracy in the world. On this day, information about the importance of democracy was given to students through interactive games, contests and a show program. 

Honored guests of the event, in particular, politician Zhanar Akayev, ex-deputy of the 5th convocation of the  Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Abdyvakhap Nurbayev, representatives of the US Embassy, AUCA Professor Emil Zhoroev and human rights activist Rita Karasartova, told AIU students about important elements of the democracy – the ideals of freedom, freedom of speech, human rights and transparent elections. 

Ruslan Zhalil, a lecturer of the International Relations Program at AIU and director of the Burana Institute, has underlined the importance of this event: “Democracy Day is held annually in order to spread ideas of democracy and democratic system among the younger generation of Kyrgyzstan. In the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan, in the first article it is written that the state is unitary and democratic. It is important for all citizens of Kyrgyzstan to know what democracy is and how it works.”

More than 10 teams took part in the interactive competition on the topic of democracy. The young activists had a great opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and speak on the topic of democracy from the stage of the big “Konya Hall” of the AIU. The winners received memorable gifts from the university. The event ended with a ceremony of planting seedlings of the “Tree of Democracy.”

Photo report