OSH, Kyrgyzstan -

A forum dedicated to the International Tolerance Day was held at the political education hall of the Osh regional administration on 26 November 2010. The event was organized by the Osh regional administration upon the initiative of the Advisory Board of Osh region with the support of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) and the Peace and Development Program of the UNDP office in Kyrgyzstan.

The aim of the forum was to contribute to building confidence and maintaining stability in the region through promoting the ideals of tolerance and cultural diversity among the ethnicities living in the Osh region and the city of Osh.

Over 400 participants attended the forum including officials of the Osh regional administration, representatives of the Ministry of Youth of Kyrgyzstan, women's unions, national cultural centers, the clergy, educational institutions, and cultural figures, representatives of NGOs, the media and UNDP Kyrgyzstan.

Welcome speeches were delivered by Mr. Vladimir Pryakhin, Advisor of UNRCCA, Mr. Suyun adji Kalykov, representative of the clergy, Mr. Mars Aliev, Director of the "Adep bashaty" progressive public foundation and Mr. S. Sh. Dzheenbekov, Governor of the Osh region.

The Forum adopted a resolution which includes an appeal addressed to the youth of the Osh region to keep peace, stability and interethnic accord and a call for increasing the role of youth in the social and economic life of the region.

Participants were also presented with souvenirs symbolizing tolerance and peace.

The Forum concluded with a concert (patriotic songs, dances) performed by local folklore groups from various ethnic groups.