Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 11 June 2025, Secondary School No. 110 in Tashkent hosted an international conference marking the conclusion of the Republican educational program “Health Routes”, Uzbekistan’s national segment of the global Nestlé for Healthier Kids initiative.

The event brought together more than 80 participants, including representatives of relevant ministries, educators, and education experts from all regions of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and invited guests from Kazakhstan and Russia.

The “Health Routes” program is implemented in Uzbekistan with the support of Nestlé, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, and the Republican Education Center. Its primary goal is to instill healthy lifestyle habits and environmental awareness in schoolchildren from an early age.

During the conference, participants reviewed the results of the 2024–2025 academic year and discussed plans to further integrate the program into the national curriculum. The initiative currently involves schools in Tashkent, all 12 regions of the country, and Karakalpakstan, reaching over 12,000 students annually. Pupils are introduced to the principles of healthy eating, physical activity, and environmental care through specially designed lessons and events.

Since 2024, an eco-awareness module has been added to the program. Students participated in drawing contests and visited interactive retail tours to learn how to choose healthy products and practice environmental responsibility.

A highlight of the conference was the presentation of best practices. Coordinators shared successful strategies for engaging educators in the program, while teachers demonstrated personalized approaches to instill good habits in students and teach the fundamentals of balanced nutrition and ecological responsibility. International participants contributed insights from similar initiatives in their countries and suggested improvements for teaching methodologies.

Sardor Radjabov, Deputy Minister of Preschool and School Education, emphasized the importance of the program: “Today’s conference reaffirms that caring for children’s health must start early. The ‘Health Routes’ program has proven its effectiveness, and we plan to expand its reach nationwide.”

Dilshoda Norboeva, Director of the Republican Education Center, noted: “We are seeing positive behavioral shifts — children are becoming more aware and proactive. This is a long-term investment in the health, resilience, and future of the nation.”

Sergey Lysyuk, General Director of Nestlé Uzbekistan, added: “For Nestlé, participation in educational initiatives is not just corporate responsibility — it is a strategic investment in a sustainable future. ‘Health Routes’ has become a successful model of collaboration between government, business, and the education sector. We will continue supporting such projects through the global ‘Nestlé for Healthier Kids’ initiative, helping millions of children grow up healthy and happy.”

The conference also included a specialized training session for teachers led by a subject-matter expert. Educators explored methods for preventing professional burnout, better understanding today’s generation of students, and improving communication. They also learned public speaking techniques and elements of theatrical performance to enhance student engagement.

Hands-on exercises helped educators consolidate their new knowledge and expand their professional competencies, equipping them to deliver impactful, student-centered learning experiences.