Alternative is always out there, Just the choice needs to be done

            It has been two years already when in the beginning of summer calm and measured off life one of the capital’s park named after Bobur becomes full of  laughter, music, sport appeals and enthusiastic exclamations. In 2007, for example, together with the children's concerts, funny competitions and quizzes on the football field were passed serious battles of four youthful commands from those nearby makhalla. And this year numerous visitors of park this day were amazed  with representatives of the extreme sports: baykers, rollers and skaters who who demonstrated their experience, courage and physical training, popularizing thus a healthy life style. It is necessary to indicate that such kind of events for the studying youth are very interesting, and they wait for these events.
              This youth party, outwardly so similar to many others, distinguish from them by interactive quizzes, competitions and games that bring certain and very important informative character. This youth social action is called “We are for a healthy life style, we don’t have time for other things!” Its purpose - to attract young people to a healthy life style, issues of HIV/AIDS, environmental protection and ecology. Initiator of conducting such popular youth events - Social Initiatives Support Fund (SISF).
            Together with its partners - CYI “Kelajak ovozi”, “Population service international” (PSI) and UNDP agency “UNAIDS” - SISF second year carries out this informal action in accordance with one of the directions of its activity. As youth learn the proposed material during the interactive competitions anonymous questionnaire and the most active participant gets prizes. With help of informal methods participants of the youth event obtained necessary information about HIV/AIDS and that carrying a healthy life style the best strategy of struggle against this harm.
           It is no secret rapid growth of drug consumption in the republic and dissemination of HIV/AIDS among youth. Unfortunately, 15-25 aged youth are under the risk. In order to decrease risks and to protect youth against it SISF  initiated in 2008 project “Healthy youth”. In the line with capital this event conducted in the Fergana valley, Bukhara, Navoi, Samarkand and Karshi cities. With help of seminars, consultations and youth social events youth received information on the social and medical problems related to drug use. As a result - changing attitudes of young people from risky - to free from smoking and drug consuming, as confirmed by the results of the questioning conducted among participants of the youth actions both in Tashkent, and in other regions of republic. For example, level of knowledge of participants of the action in Fergana in July, 2008 has increase almost for 60 %. However, the same positive dynamics was observed everywhere. According to the volunteers participating in carrying out of events, nobody pressed on youth from risk groups. Volunteers only attempted to demonstrate, what are the drugs, and what, for example, - is sport. And in this case they said: “It is your choice:  choose what is best for you”
             Conducting youth events in the cities of Uzbekistan in summer was forewent by seminar- training, held in Tashkent with the assistance of PSI/CAPACITY and local NGOs. PSI had already promoted to the measures undertaken by the state for the forming of physically and spiritually healthy generation for several years. The trainers of this international organization work with the youth groups of risk in different regions of Uzbekistan.
           Seminars and youth events under of Social Initiatives Support Fund have allowed to get activists among risk groups in each target region. The Movement “We are for healthy life style, we do not have time for another things!” will be continued in other regions of Uzbekistan.