Legal literacy and development of children`s rights competition took place in Dushanbe

Dushanbe, 15-16 May 2024– Under a joint initiative of the Government of Switzerland and UNICEF “Realizing children’s equitable access to justice in Tajikistan", and in partnership with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the partners are conducting a competition entitled “Legal literacy and development of children`s rights". Twelve universities in Dushanbe participated in the competition.

The two-day competition was designed to increase students' awareness of their legal rights and the importance of respecting the rights and freedoms of others. It encourages independent learning, enhances analytical and legal writing skills, and promotes critical thinking among students.

The competition consisted of three sections. In the first section, teams from twelve universities competed at the Academy facilities to test their knowledge and skills in areas such as the Constitution, legislation application, and the rights of the child. In the second section, students from across the country were invited to submit essays on child rights protection, including diversion of juvenile offenders, for review by the commission. In total, 28 essays were received and reviewed. In the third section of competition students were creating brief video segments (lasting no longer than five minutes) addressing topics such as child rights protection and prevention of child offenses. The students had been very enthusiastic in their responses, and 25 videos were received.

“When my name was announced as the winner in the “informative essay” category, I felt incredibly excited and happy. Going up on the stage, I realized that my hard work and efforts were appreciated. Receiving the award from the jury was an unforgettable moment for me. My essay on “Supporting the non-application of criminal justice to juveniles who have committed minor crimes” was recognized as informative and I am proud to have been able to contribute to the discussion of an important topic,” said Madina Halimova, student of Tajik National University, Faculty of Law.

Towards the end of the competition, all the participants were awarded with prizes to encourage further participation and self-learning. The event was organized with the support of the Swiss Cooperation Office and UNICEF in Tajikistan.

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About Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan

Within its Cooperation program for Central Asia (2022-2025), Switzerland focuses on supporting economic, social and democratic development, promoting an integrated and regional approach in the complex field of transboundary water management, strengthening economic ties and promoting good governance.