A regional forum is taking place in Tashkent today, dedicated to the presentation of the media strategy developed within the Project for consolidating efforts to strengthen friendship, ensure interethnic accord and religious tolerance, and to build an attitude of rejection towards radicalisation and extremism in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Among the objectives of the media strategy, developed with the participation of experts from three countries, is to bring together the efforts of state structures and civil society by strengthening the media within a holistic and coordinated approach to countering the spread among young people of extremist ideas that lead to radicalisation, interethnic strife and terrorism. It is planned to draw on state and other sources of funding for its implementation, on grants within the countries, and on support from international foundations and organisations.
National and foreign experts, representatives of state structures, civil society institutions, young people, the media community and NGOs are taking part in the forum.
The participants will discuss current aspects of promoting mutual understanding, strengthening friendship and good-neighbourly relations, religious tolerance and the prevention of radicalisation, raising awareness of the roots of violent extremism, and building the capacity of local civil society and the media community in the border areas of the three countries — Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
