Visit of Her Excellency Mrs. Marilyn Josefson, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic

December 12, 2023

#ICP

On Friday, the 8th of December, AUCA was honored to host Her Excellency Ms. Marilyn Josefson, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic. This visit was part of the Ambassador Talks Series, organized as part of a series of events by the ICP Department. The event was marked by an insightful presentation on the Erasmus+ program and a speech by Ms. Josefson on the cooperation between the European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic.

The event commenced with a presentation by the Erasmus+ coordinator, who provided an overview of the various educational opportunities in Europe available for graduate students through the Erasmus+ program. The presentation highlighted the benefits of studying in Europe, including access to high-quality education, numerous scholarships, cultural exchange, and personal growth.

Following this informative session, AUCA President Dr. Timothy O'Connor warmly welcomed Her Excellency, Ms. Marilyn Josefson. The president also stressed that an outstanding person visited AUCA today and expressed great gratitude for the work Ms. Josefson is doing in Kyrgyzstan.

In her speech, Ms. Josefson shared insights into her background and experience as an ambassador, shedding light on her journey and commitment to fostering diplomatic relations between the European Union and its partner countries. Ms. Josefson then delved into the cooperation processes between the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Union, emphasizing trade, development assistance, human rights, and democratic governance.

However, one of the most important topics that was touched on during the speech was the Spotlight Initiative, which the European Union, United Nations, and Kyrgyz Republic implemented. This Initiative aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. Similar programs are being implemented in more than 30 countries around the world. Ms. Josefson clearly stated that violence against women is unacceptable in any form, and this is our common goal to overcome this challenge.

After her speech, students of AUCA eagerly began to ask questions about the work of the European Union, human rights issues, and even questions concerning the defense. This momentous occasion brought together students, faculty members, and staff to engage in meaningful discussions about international cooperation and educational opportunities in Europe.

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