The report of the Get Engaged Conference 2022 at AUCA

June 29, 2022

Get Engaged: Student Action & Youth Leadership Conference is an annual leadership program run by Bard College that brings together undergraduate students to strengthen a global network of leaders and innovators who are working together to develop solutions to local and global challenges. The conference exposes students to a wide range of ideas and experiences to help them lead community-based projects more effectively. This year, the American University of Central Asia is hosting the conference for the first time in history and welcoming the largest cohort of students and coordinators from almost 20 countries over the globe.

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The conference's official opening was held on Friday, June 24 at AUCA CH hall. It was followed by Hackathon sessions, where participants got to know each other and together discussed their project development and implementation stages. Soon after, they prepared pitches and delivered them publicly on the scene.

During the weekends, Bishkek GetEngaged conference raised many critical workshops that are discussed in the contemporary world. They covered topics like Public Speaking delivered by Paul Marienthal, Bard College; Visual Storytelling by video presented by Seamus Heady, OSUN/Bard College and Nurzhamal Karamoldoeva, American University of Central Asia (AUCA); Project Development delivered by Faiza zu Lynar, Bard College Berlin (BCB); Recruiting: Volunteers and Participants by Flora Raszio(CEU) and Shadin Nassar (Al-Quds Bard University) and such. The workshops were followed by individual presentations of projects, where the participants presented their solutions to challenges in the following spheres:
Climate & Sustainability, Arts, Education, Inclusivity and Leadership, Gender Equity, Human Rights, etc.

The organizers also put thought into the entertainment part! On Saturday afternoon a basketball game was organized for children with disabilities. Participants of the conference as well as volunteers took part in the game. On Sunday afternoon, participants were introduced to Kyrgyz national games such as archery, fencing, and knucklebones. Right after, they visited the ethno-complex Supara to enjoy the national cuisine, arts, and nature.

On Monday, June 27, after various seminars addressed developing a team, funding a project, and linking a project to research, a poster session held place at AUCA Forum, 1st Floor.

The conference shed light on modern innovations in different civic spheres. Participants presented a wide range of projects that have a social and ecological impact and have the potential to scale globally. Some of the examples of the projects: Automated trash sorting; Education through interaction; Fight against The Femicide; Prevent Child Labour through Technology.

Today is the fifth day since the start of the conference. From now on participants and coordinators will enhance their project in Issyk Kul. The development of the conference was as follows.

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