In view of the upcoming International Youth Day on August 12, the World Bank Country Office in Bishkek organized a 2-day Youth Engagement Program at the Kyrgyz Development Information Center on April 17-18, 2009.

The event brought together 60 young people 15–20 years of age who were selected on a competitive basis by participating schools, young teachers, and winners of the National Youth Essay Competition.

The goals of the event were to:

• Promote the Kyrgyz Development Information Center as a "one-stop-shop" on development issues and a platform for dialogs, debates and knowledge sharing;
• Provide place for young people to exchange ideas and discuss ways and mechanisms for youth participation in the development and decision-making processes;
• Create a culture of tolerance among youth groups.

The event was held both in-doors and out-doors. Participants got acquainted with the World Bank activities in the Kyrgyz Republic, Bank's information resources for youth, and got a chance to develop their skills in communications, leadership, conflict management, and teamwork.

Commenting on the event, one of the participants, said, "This event was very useful for learning more about the World Bank activities in the country. Young people from different schools and universities got an opportunity to interact with each other, exchange opinions, and became one team, one family. It is really cool!"