#TeamEurope promotes DO IT YOURSELF dialogue for an inclusive society

In honour of International Day of People with Disabilities (PWD), within the framework of “No one left behind: Farogir” project funded by the European Union and Caritas Germany, an event in the format of the Dialogue: Do It Yourself Talks was held in the Serena Hotel.

The project aims to improve enhanced participation, accountability, inclusive policy – making and livelihood opportunities for young people, including those with disabilities in Shakhritus and Kanibadam districts.

A platform was provided for the interaction of young people from remote areas and the Dushanbe city, including people with disabilities with potential employers, successful entrepreneurs of the country and the opportunity to create an inclusive society with youth, to talk about the project work results and the youth themselves, and to expand knowledge and understanding of inclusive society needs.

The most active youth of the project from Kanibadam city and Shakhritus district, including PWD, were invited to Dushanbe.

Ms. Zulfia Davlatbekova, Programme Manager, EU Delegation in Tajikistan delivered a welcoming speech to the guests and participants of the event. In her speech, Ms. Zulfia Davlatbekova stressed that improved youth participation in social and civic life, including their involvement in the relevant decision-making processes and contribution to inclusive growth and sustainable development is one of the high priorities of the European Union. She also mentioned that the European Union pays special attention to and makes a significant effort when it comes to mainstreaming digitalisation and modern technologies in its development cooperation and policies.

In the first part of the event the feature films based on real stories of young people, including those ones with disabilities, were screened for the first time. All films were produced with financial support of the European Union. After screening films, the audience was able to personally communicate with the actors of the films and get acquainted with their stories.

Then the participants met with Akbar Karimov, who, despite his eye problems, was able to achieve success in playing various musical instruments. Furkat Mirpochoev, Director of the Information Technology Department of the State Statistics Committee, spoke about the importance of digitalization and decision-making.

A youth team from the Shakhritus district led by Fakhriddin Safarmamadov spoke about their successes in the framework of the project, which resulted in the creation of youth public organization called “Oyandasoz”. Also, Dilshoda Sattorova, the winner of the “Successful Startup Project” contest from Kanibadam, spoke to the guests and participants of the event and Abdusalom Rabikhov, program manager of the “Peer to Peer” NGO about the Y-Peer youth network in Tajikistan.

The speakers talked about their path to success and motivated young people to take action and make decisions.

In the third part of event, Mr. Komron Fayzulloev, Representative of International Relations Department of the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan delivered a welcoming speech to the participants of a job fair and expressed his gratitude to the organizers and donors of the project for cooperation and their contribution for better future of youth, including PWDs.

Then the job fair was held in the lobby of the hotel with the participation of such well-known companies and organizations as Coca-Cola, Avesto group, Serena Hotel, Tcell, Ilmhona and “Peer to Peer” (Y-PEER) NGOs, Upgrade, Alif Bank, First Microfinance Bank of Tajikistan and “FINCA Tajikistan” MDO.

In total, 12 employers from Dushanbe and other regions of Tajikistan сame up with job offers. All applicants were able to communicate with representatives of companies, learn everything about organization of work and working conditions. The job fair provided participants an opportunity to choose a profession and an independent future.