FIRST RESULTS OF INTERACTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR STUDENT BIRD WATCHING CLUBS IN UZBEKISTAN

The project of interactive education program for student bird watching clubs in Uzbekistan aims to improve the knowledge and abilities of students in the field of environment. It is directed to preparing specialists for nature conservation by implementation of educational program in five university student clubs, where students learn more about nature conservation in Uzbekistan in an alternative way.

On March, 2011 an Education kit, including 24 interactive learning sessions on 6 CDs and a how-to-use manual were developed, published and distributed. The sessions were structured in modules: "Computer skills", "Preparing of report", "Biodiversity of Uzbekistan and its conservation", "NGOs and mass media cooperation & Development of club", "How to watch birds and how to be a good birdwatcher", and "Fundraising for NGO and student clubs". Student leaders of five bird watching clubs, located at Faculties of Natural and Biological Sciences in Uzbekistan were prepared to act as trainers of their club members. On March-May, 2011 more than 80 students from Universities of 5 regions of Uzbekistan actively participated in studying of materials of the CDs. The first PR-materials such as folders and notebooks with RSGF's logo were published in house style.

On June 16-20, 2011 in Tashkent, in the office of Uzbekistan Society for the Protection of Birds (UzSPB) the student training took place. 15 students - the members of UzSPB student bird watching clubs from Samarkand, Bukhara, Kokand, Nukus and Tashkent took part in the training. The subjects of the training were: "Fundraising for NGOs and student clubs" and "Using of AviCA database". Fundraising is the main way for getting funds for activities of non-governmental organization and student clubs in the whole world. Fundraising is of great importance in the work of modern specialists for non-governmental and governmental nature conservation organizations. The training was directed to leaders and most active members of each student clubs which will act as trainers of their club members.

On interactive sessions of the training students understood what fundraising is and viewed different ways of getting funds. Working in groups, participants of the training found out what project and project proposal is. They also knew about local and international founds and organizations which support projects. Students studied all stages of project work: from searching for idea to preparing of final report.

The second day of the training started from analysis of project proposals by specific examples taking into account regulations for project proposals of local and internatioal foundations. Students analyzed structure and guidelines of project proposals to Uzbekistan local Governmental Found, Rufford Small Grants Foundation as well as international programs CLP and BirdFair comprehensively.

Games and practical exercises promoted students to master the art of project proposal writing. Working in groups students were looking for ideas and writing their own projects. The knowledge and abilities obtained on the training students can use just in the near future. On the training UzSPB announced the contest for 2 best student projects.

Moreover, on the training students acquainted with AviCA database - the Central Asian module of the Internet-based database about birds, their science and distribution www.wordbirds.org. Students studied how to register this database and enter data of their own observations. During the breaks members of "Phasianus" student bird watching club at the National University of Uzbekistan share their experience of celebration of the World Wild-Life Conservation Day in Tashkent. In this year, after studying session about environmental actions and campaigns, members of the club carried out a "Date with nature" in Botanical garden in Tashkent on June, 5. Leader and members of this club presented detailed strategy of this date celebration to other participants of the training for its further using in regions.

In the framework of the training the premiere of the movie "Save our species" took place which was produced by UzSPB within "Save our Species & Conservation Leadership Programme project". According to feedback the training got appreciation and excellent mark.

For short videos and more photos from the training, please, contact Oleg Kashkarov oleg.kashkarov@iba.uz.