Over sixty young people from across Tajikistan, including Dushanbe, districts subordinate to the center, the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), Khatlon, and Sughd provinces, have gathered at the National Library of Dushanbe to celebrate the Youth Day.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Resident Office in Dushanbe says it was an opportunity for young people to exchange experiences, get inspired by fellow young entrepreneurs and social activists, and learn about internship and job opportunities from the members of the Coalition of Employers.
The event was reportedly organized in the framework of Local Impact, a partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and was part of engaging youth in the project initiatives and creating learning, internship, and job opportunities for youth through its Youth Entrepreneurship and Employable Skills (YES) Program and the Coalition of Employers initiative.
“It is very encouraging to see young boys and girls from different parts of our country actively sharing their experiences, learning from their peers, potential employers on internship and employment opportunities. In strong collaboration with ministries and agencies and USAID we try to create an enabling environment for young people across the country to thrive. We highly value our constructive partnership with Tajikistan Government agencies and USAID to improve the quality of life of people in Tajikistan,” said Javlon Hamdamov, Head of Programs at AKF.
The first part of the event included presentations by young entrepreneurs from across Central Asia, including Azizjon Azimi, Founder of Zypl.ai, Sabrina Muzaffari, Eco activist, Umed Rahimov, Founder of Tajwork, Sevara Rustamova, Director of Bibihanim Gold Services, and Pulod Amirbekov, Senior Coordinator for CoE on opportunities for youth in IT, business, eco-activism, and labor market. Participants were able to ask questions and share thoughts with the speakers.
The presentations were followed by a job fair, where members of the Coalition of Employers, including Avesto Group, Tcell, Pamir Energy, Micro Loan Organization “Rushdi Kuhiston”, Alif Academy and Ilmkhona Skills Accelerator shared information about the employment and training opportunities for youth. The participants were able to do networking, discuss job and internships requirements and participate in mock interviews. As a result, 15 participants of the event secured training and internship opportunities with the employers and skills providers. Local Impact will co-fund these opportunities with the Coalition of Employers’ members.
“It was a unique event for me, because while connecting with employers and skills providers, talking about my interest in securing an internship, I did not even think that they will provide me with this opportunity. When at the end of the event, my name was in the list, and a certificate was awarded, my happiness was beyond. Now, I have a chance to get experience at Rushdi Kuhiston, find a job and support myself and my family,” highlighted Orif Majnunov, from Khorog, GBAO.
The event was concluded with final remarks by the First Deputy Chair of Youth and Sports Committee, Shabnam Rahmizoda, Matt Curtis, Deputy Director, General Development Office USAID/Tajikistan, Abdughaffor Rahmonzoda, First Deputy Minister of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Population of Tajikistan, and Kishwar Abdulalishoev, CEO of AKF Tajikistan.
This kind of event forms part of AKF’s initiative on investing in human capital, expanding opportunities, and improving the overall quality of life of communities in Tajikistan.
The Local Impact: A Transformative Partnership in Asia and Africa project is implemented by the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF).
