On Oct. 5, a ceremony, dedicated to launching of a new digital platform U-Report, was held in Tashkent, Kun.uz correspondent reports.

The event was attended by representatives of state, public and international organizations, as well as schoolchildren, college and university students and members of the Youth Union of Uzbekistan.

The U-Report project is being implemented by UNICEF and the Youth Union of Uzbekistan jointly with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis and the Ministry of Public Education. Ucell Company is also actively supporting the project.

This interactive platform allows young people and the government to move closer together.

Furthermore, it encourages youngsters to participate in the discussion of key issues that are relevant to their lives. Within the framework of the project, they will take part in votes via Telegram, Facebook and other social networks.

The results of surveys can be used in decision-making processes by the government authorities, Youth Union of Uzbekistan and the Parliament.

“The project plays an important role in socio-political development of Uzbekistan. When young people see that their voices are taken into account, they feel a strong sense of belonging to the community they are living in,” Sascha Graumann, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan noted.

This platform is used in 49 countries of the world and Uzbekistan is the first Central Asian state to launch this innovative project.