Education, good jobs, improved healthcare, social equality, youth empowerment, and private sector development were among the issues highlighted by the three winning entries from young bloggers in a competition run by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Tajikistan.  ADB Vice President Bambang Susantono awarded the winners in Dushanbe on August 19.

According to the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM), the competition, held in conjunction with the ADB’s 50th anniversary, received 14 entries from Tajik bloggers aged 18-25 exploring the theme “What Does Development Mean for the Youth of Tajikistan?”  The winning entries will be published on the ADB-Tajikistan Facebook page.

“I would like to thank all participants for joining the competition and congratulate the three winners,” said C.C. Yu, ADB Country Director for Tajikistan, who headed the panel of seven judges including ADB staff and a representative of the international youth organization AIESEC.  “We were impressed by the entries which showed a clear understanding of Tajikistan’s development challenges and opportunities, as well as the importance for young people of receiving a good education.”

First prize went to Maqsoud Hasanov, 22, who penned a blog underlining the importance of inclusive growth and youth employment.  “As part of the youth of Tajikistan, I personally believe that sole economic growth does not represent true development if there is absence of equity in the growth process”, he wrote.

In second place was Doriyush Soliyev, 20, who stressed the need to develop industry and agriculture and to minimize tax barriers for developing the private sector.

The third-placed blog by Shahnoz Muhammadiyeva, 23, highlighted youth empowerment and engagement.  “For me, development is an opportunity to make my country a better place,” she wrote.

All entries were judged on their relevance to the competition theme, as well as on logic and clarity, originality, and English-language skills.

Since Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, ADB has approved over $1.4 billion in concessional loans, grants, and technical assistance to the country.  ADB’s current partnership strategy with Tajikistan focuses on improved connectivity, energy security, and private sector development.