Certain views on the implementation of state youth policy by state authorities

The implementation of state youth policy by state authorities should be based on the following principles: democratic attitudes toward youth, respect for the rights and freedoms of young citizens; progressiveness and innovation; purposeful, realistic, and rational actions; universality – covering all youth regardless of gender, nationality, social status, or religious affiliation; differentiated approach considering social stratification and age; targeted protection and support for socially vulnerable youth, including children with disabilities, orphans, children from large and low-income families [1; 2].

These fundamental principles of youth policy should be taken into account by central and local legislative and executive authorities and serve as one of the main criteria for evaluating their work concerning the development of the country’s youth. Adherence to these principles gives state youth policy coherence, realism, and comprehensiveness, ensures necessary historical continuity, and creates a unified methodology and guidelines for implementing its main directions [3].

The pace of Tajikistan’s progress toward democratic transformation depends on the position of youth in sociopolitical life, their confidence in the future, and their activity. Young people must be ready to face global challenges. In the context of globalization and forced migration, youth are called upon to act as bearers of tolerance ideology, developers of Tajik culture, and strengtheners of intergenerational and interethnic relations. Indeed, the main task and goal of state measures for youth is, above all, to strengthen their sense of trust and confidence in the state, which provides them with a better future. On this basis, feelings of patriotism and pride in nation and state emerge.

Under current conditions in Tajikistan, after the successive implementation of state strategies and programs for youth, it is evident that most young people are active, possess high intellectual ability and good health, and these characteristics positively distinguish them from other population groups. Young people adapt quickly to new living conditions. At the same time, society faces the need to reduce the costs and losses the country incurs due to problems related to youth socialization and their integration into a single economic, political, social, and cultural space [4].

Analysis and forecasting of Tajikistan’s development conditions, as well as youth problems in the coming decades, have created a demand for developing a new strategic approach to state youth policy.

State youth policy in the Republic of Tajikistan is implemented considering Tajikistan’s socioeconomic and political development trends in the following priority areas: engaging youth in social activities and informing them about development opportunities; developing youth creative activity; integrating youth in difficult life situations.

State youth policy aims to unite state and non-state organizations, implying interagency cooperation to: engage youth in public life, develop independent living skills of young citizens, inform all youth about their development opportunities in Tajikistan and the global community, and introduce opportunities for personal development available in the country, allowing youth to more fully realize their potential and strengthen confidence in their abilities and future; support youth activity and achievements in socioeconomic, sociopolitical, creative, and sports fields, providing opportunities for self-expression, realization of their potential, and due recognition; engage youth who face difficulties integrating into society, such as people with disabilities, graduates of orphanages and special education institutions for children with developmental disabilities and closed-type institutions, victims of violence, military operations, and natural disasters, refugees and migrants, former prisoners, representatives of indigenous peoples and minorities, as well as youth and families in socially dangerous situations, and the unemployed [5-7].

Such a system of priority areas of state youth policy improves the situation of youth, increases their contribution to the country’s competitiveness, and simultaneously compensates for and reduces the consequences of mistakes objectively characteristic of youth. Youth policy should promote intergenerational continuity and protection of national culture, producing patriotic citizens capable of showing national and religious tolerance toward other peoples and creating a friendly society throughout the country.

One of the tasks of youth policy is to develop creative abilities, self-awareness, self-management skills, and a comprehensive understanding of social processes occurring in society, contributing to the formation of competent youth. Youth participation in public associations and organizations stimulates work motivation and high entrepreneurial activity, as well as the development of skills and social roles in the context of rapid globalization and the formation of the information economy.

Regarding youth and adolescent education – since their value system, worldview, and life principles are acquired primarily through education – the implementation of any state youth programs is carried out through educational institutions. As Tavakalova M.K. notes, there is a dialectical relationship between education and the formation of youth’s value systems and tendencies. Therefore, attention must be paid to reforming general and higher vocational education [8-10].

State activity is implemented based on global experience in actively engaging youth organizations in public life at national and international levels. The range of youth organizations is diverse, operating in various spheres of social life, including public, political, social, environmental, and cultural organizations. They have different goals, sociopolitical orientations, and activity directions, but their main tasks should be improving and optimizing state policy and advancing youth interests.

The State Program for Youth Development in Tajikistan is closely linked to a number of state programs and concepts related to youth life and activity, including:

• National Education Development Strategy until 2030;
• Action Program for Information and Communication Technologies for General Education Institutions (2018-2022);
• National Program for Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle (2022-2026);
• Vocational Education Development Concept;
• National Education Concept (approved in 2006).

The National Education Concept focuses on national education, self-awareness, patriotism, respect for history and national values. The National Youth Development Program and the National Education Concept share common goals and complement each other [11; 12].

The Healthy Lifestyle Promotion Program for 2022-2026 aims to improve health, prevent negative phenomena (drug addiction, infectious diseases, etc.), and engage youth in sports. The Concept of State Policy of Tajikistan in the Sphere of Religion was adopted to protect independence and stability, ensure freedom of conscience, prevent religious hatred and enmity, and foster secular and tolerant worldviews among youth. All these programs are directed toward youth and their needs, covering various aspects of their life and activity. However, the main problem lies at the level of practical realization and actual implementation of these programs in society, requiring attention to implementation mechanisms and methods.