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Get Engaged 2022: Developing Community Projects and Strengthening the Network In Person

Students and mentors from Get Engaged 2022 pose for a group portrait at a festive night out in Bishkek.
The Ninth Annual Get Engaged Student Action and Youth Leadership Conference, organized by the OSUN Civic Engagement Initiative at Bard College in partnership with the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), was a rousing success. Held from June 23-30, and hosted by AUCA on their beautiful campus in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the conference brought together 55 undergraduate student leaders and 33 mentors from 17 OSUN universities and 28 countries.  ⁠

For the first time in two years, students, faculty, and staff met in person to discuss the civic engagement projects students have been developing and implementing in their respective countries. Students learned new skills, honed leadership styles, and networked with likeminded innovators who are collaborating with community partners across the globe to develop solutions to pressing local and global challenges.

On the first day of the conference, students broke into groups for a “hackathon” to develop ideas for new civic engagement projects focused on gender equity, access to education, digital civic networking, mental health awareness, and print journalism. The results were pitched before a panel of reviewers who considered them for further development by OSUN.
Lorraine Makuyana, Global Engagement Fellow at Ashesi University, prepares a poster describing her project for a networking session. Photo courtesy of AUCA.
Lorraine Makuyana, Global Engagement Fellow at Ashesi University, prepares a poster describing her project for a networking session. Photo courtesy of AUCA.


Throughout the duration of the conference, students shared presentations about their civic engagement projects they are implementing in their communities, with many focused on expanding access to education and professional skills in marginalized communities; ecological innovation; mental health interventions; political action; oral history and more. Participants offered critical feedback on the projects, drawing on parallel experiences in different locations to provide helpful guidance and support.
Saliya Khurova of AUCA (right), participates with two other students in a demonstration of Basketball for All, her project working with local children with Downs syndrome and autism. Photo courtesy of AUCA.
Saliya Khurova of AUCA (right), participates with two other students in a demonstration of Basketball for All, her project working with local children with Downs syndrome and autism. Photo courtesy of AUCA.


Stimulating workshops were conducted by faculty and staff mentors on visual storytelling, project development, cultural fluency, self-care, fundraising, and leadership training, among others. Informative panel discussions, project demonstrations, and networking sessions rounded out the professional aspect of the week-long conference, while rousing icebreakers, social gatherings, and participatory events, such as traditional Kyrgyz nomadic games and museum outings, contributed to the equally important cultural and community-building aspects of the conference. Access the conference program to see the full week of events.
Bessy Marie-Aure Jeudilus of UHELP, participates in Nomad Games. Photo courtesy of AUCA.
Bessy Marie-Aure Jeudilus of UHELP, participates in Nomad Games. Photo courtesy of AUCA.
 Kyrgyz national television covered the conference, giving a glimpse of its spirited and thought-provoking nature.

OSUN, its indispensable partners and outstanding students are already looking forward to meeting again next year, to continue strengthening and building our global network of bold, groundbreaking young leaders. Stay tuned for more stories and videos from the conference.

Post Date: 07-06-2022