The National Student Essay Competition is being organized annually by the UN Country Team in Uzbekistan and it became as a tradition. The competition aimed to raise awareness of students on the Millennium Development Goals in Uzbekistan and promote the spirit of volunteerism and community service among young people. Essay competition topics ranged from bringing economic growth benefits to young people, the analysis of gender equality benefits, the promotion of health education among young people and elimination of discrimination to people living with HIV/AIDS in Uzbekistan. This essay competition gave a unique opportunity to young people to express their opinions in various development topics, identifying the most priority areas that should be implemented in local levels with youth action and support.

This year essay competition reached young people from regions of Uzbekistan and totally 125 entries were received in three languages: English, Uzbek and Russian. The most popular topics were noticed as gender equality, health education, stigma and discrimination to people living with HIV and adequate use of water resources in Uzbekistan. On each topic students from diverse educational background shared their views and discussed the implementation of these goals at local levels.

During the event, winners of National Student Essay Competition delivered presentations on their topics and outlined that such kind of competitions motivate students towards community service where their opinions and actions are needed. The UNDP Resident Representative/UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Mr. Fikret Akcura noted that youth participation in the community life is vital to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in Uzbekistan. He also stressed the point that United Nations Office in Uzbekistan would continue to reach youth in rural areas through improving access to internet technologies and implementing wide outreach campaigns on MDGs.

Moreover, participants of MDG Video-Spot Competition for children “Yangi Avlod” studio was also awarded with valuable prizes from United Nations Information Center. Their video-spot highlighted the importance of care attitude to the environment and youth action to save it for future generations.

United Nations Country Team in Uzbekistan has been actively supporting youth volunteerism and various youth networks through large and small scale projects and peer-to-peer education and information campaigns. This year is also crucial to make joint efforts more reachable to youth in rural areas. MDG Essay Competition was significant joint event where all UN agencies worked together to signify and emphasize delivering as one UN.

The following student’s entries were highly recognized and awarded in National Student Essay Competition:
• Son Oleg-“How to break down stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV?”;
• Nodir Abdusamatov-“My personal contribution in the fight against AIDS”;
• Nazrullayeva Mehriniso- “Healthy Family- Healthy Child: promoting health education among young people”;
• Kim Anna- “Healthy Family- healthy child: promoting health education among
young people”;
• Nazarov Ravshan-“Enhancing opportunities for young people in rural areas of Uzbekistan”;
• Sarvar Mamajanov- ““The benefits of gender equality for men and women in Uzbekistan.”;
• Bozorov Behroz- “The use of water resources in Uzbekistan and its impact on country’s development.”;
• Zakirov Elyor- “The role of ICTs in enhancing knowledge and opportunities for youth.”;
• Khudoqulov O’ktam- “The benefits of gender equality for men and women in Uzbekistan.”;
• Do’stmukhamedova Dilorom- “The benefits of gender equality for men and women in Uzbekistan.”;
• Qobil Khidirov- “ “The role of volunteerism in development: think globally, act locally.”

All winners of National Student Essay Competition on MDGs received certificates and prizes, such as a video-camera, photo-camera, and musical stereo and valuable special prizes from the United Nations Country Team in Uzbekistan.