Adult education is a key factor for sustainable development of society, and in the Kyrgyz Republic special attention is paid to this area. The annual Festival of Adult Education held in 2025 on 17-18 April in Jalal-Abad, organized by the Kyrgyz Adult Education Association (KAEA) with the support of DVV International, Jalal-Abad Municipality and the Association for the Development of Education in Kyrgyzstan (AROK) has become a significant event in the field of non-formal education. Carried out in the format of a relay race through different regions of the country, this educational project combines a wide range of activities aimed at popularizing the concept of lifelong learning.
The main goal of the festival is to raise public awareness of the importance of adult education and stimulate the personal and professional growth of citizens. To achieve this goal, the following key tasks have been identified:
- Providing wide access to information about existing educational opportunities for the adult population.
- Creating an effective space for sharing best practices and demonstrating innovative educational programmes.
- Active popularization of the idea of lifelong learning as an integral element of successful life and development of society.
The festival is a platform that combines elements of an educational fair, a professional forum, a cultural celebration and an open dialogue platform. It is addressed to all those who are interested in their own development and are involved in adult education. The uniqueness of the festival lies in its focus on lifelong learning and development, which contributes to the expansion and strengthening of the idea of lifelong learning in Kyrgyzstan.
The festival programme included:
- a fair of educational services and vacancies;
- master classes;
- cultural and entertainment events, concerts and competitions;
- excursion to the enterprise;
- round table discussions on the topic ‘Accessible education for adults: ways of development in the regions of Kyrgyzstan’.
The Festival was supported and attended by representatives of government agencies, Jogorku Kenesh KR(Parliament), local government, Adult Education Centers in public libraries, employers, representatives of business structures, city population, youth, educational institutions, as well as partners from international organizations.
The Festival of Adult Education is not just an event, but an impetus to the development of Kyrgyzstan, opening doors to knowledge and new opportunities for all.