Zhyldyz

Kyrgyzstan, SUSI 2017

Zhyldyz put her passion for debate into action as a critical thinking tool in a local high school in the Issyk-Kol region. Prior to 2016, she writes, there was only one national Television network in Kyrgyzstan. Zhyldyz believes the lack of media outlets, combined with poor internet connections in rural areas means students are not able to analyze and form their own opinions about the news. In response to this problem, Zhyldyz led a group of thirteen high school students through four days of intensive debate training. She taught them about different formats of debate and how to use analytical skills to form strong arguments. She also taught them how to organize their own debate clubs. As a result of her trainings, students learned the power of debate as a problem solving tool for global issues, how to view an issue from multiple points of view and how to speak their minds with confidence.

Zhyldyz presenting to a class of students.
Zhyldyz (standing) delivers a debate workshop at the #20 High School named after Ashymov in Issyk-kol region of Kyrgyzstan.

Mission

The Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) on Women's Leadership is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). ECA's mission is "to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly and peaceful relations.