Event: Utah students host 14th annual IMD celebration
The Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at Utah Valley University (UVU), hosted its 14th annual International Mountain Day (IMD) celebration on 4-5 December 2023.
The event was led by Stephan Atkinson, UIMF President, through the Student-Engaged Learning (SEL) model, together with the Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Aida Kasymalieva. The SEL model encourages students to work together as a group, to solve real-world problems with the mentorship of a faculty member.
The visit was organized as: 1) a follow-up to the joint advocacy campaign for mountain women and girls, through SEL, by the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations and UIMF members at the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March 2023; 2) a preparation for the joint advocacy efforts at the upcoming 68th session of the CSW in March 2024; and 3) an opportunity to facilitate contributions from UVU faculty and students through academic research to the activities of the Group of Friends of Mountain Countries, which the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN chairs.
On 4 December, Ambassador Kasymalieva raised an awareness about the "Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions" during meetings with officials and business representatives from the State of Utah. She spoke on the same topic before faculty and students at UVU on 5 December 2023. The distinguished guest also highlighted ties and increased educational exchanges between UVU and academic institutions in the Kyrgyz Republic. She emphasized the important role of the SEL model in building partnerships, and catalyzing positive change in both mountain regions.
By jointly observing IMD, Rotaractors from UVU, the Nomad Club in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic, students from Asbury University, Kentucky, and from Osh Technological University, the Kyrgyz Republic, demonstrated to Ambassador Kasymalieva their commitments and abilities to jointly advocate for mountain women, families and communities. She welcomed developing ties between Orem-Lindon Rotary Club, and Rotarians in Bishkek and Osh, the Kyrgyz Republic. Ambassador Kasymalieva presented certificates for contributing to the sustainable mountain develompment advocacy initiatives during 2023 to UVU faculty, students, and local community representatives. The visit of the distinguished digngitary was sponsored by UVU’s Office for Global Engagement.
News by Stephan Atkinson, UIMF President
Photo: ©Jokudu Winnie Jada