The participants were motivated and eager to take part in 3 days workshops consisting of panel discussion, simulation game and evaluation round. Overall the reaction was very positive and our trainers were asked to implement this project in other parts of Kyrgyzstan as well. Local authorities in Jalalabad, nevertheless, were not as supportive and keen as the participants. During 3 days’ workshop in Jalalabad the local security officers questioned our trainers in Kyrgyzstan with the accusation of ‘foreign agent’ status. All this because Kyrgyz parliament has passed a bill that impose a ‘foreign agent’ status on NGOs receiving funding from abroad. Eventually local security officers did not find anything ‘suspicious’ in our non-formal education workshops and our trainers were able to finish their work.
Such law creates a barrier in the peacebuilding and development work in Kyrgyzstan, both for locals and internationals. We hope that this law will not last long and we would be able to partner with Kyrgyz colleagues without obstacles.
