DUSHANBE, June 12, Asia-Plus - On June 8-11 the American Councils for International Education in Tajikistan organized and hosted an exciting symposium funded by the U.S. Department of State for more than 80 alumni of U.S. high school exchange programs Future Leaders Exchange Program and Youth Exchange and Study Program (FLEX and YES) from Kazakhstan (6), Kyrgyzstan (10), Turkmenistan (3), Uzbekistan (4), Tajikistan (30), Bangladesh (4), and Afghanistan (23).  This is the first time such an event has been organized in this region, according to information from the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe . 

The four-day symposium entitled "Respecting Diversity and Building Tolerance: Learning From Each Other" was held in the Varzob district, Tajikistan .

Alumni from the FLEX and YES programs focused on and discussed the themes of cultural diversity, tolerance, conflict resolution, and anti-terrorism.  During the conference, alumni developed their skills in designing and implementing projects based on tolerance, anti-discrimination and respect for diversity.  Together with the trainers, they addressed such key issues as cultural identity, discrimination, social exclusion, cultural diversity and majority-minority relations.

They had the opportunity to actually develop innovative local youth projects based on diversity and tolerance building, which will contribute to a better understanding and acceptance of minority cultural groups and of their rights, and which will generally improve community relations.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Paula Marie Seniors, Professor in African American Studies of New Jersey College, who is visiting Tajikistan and made a presentation on African American and Native American inter-ethnic coalitions, assimilation, and diversity in the United States .