OSCE promotes green mobility and environmental awareness at the III Cycling Marathon for preschool children in Khiva

On the eve of International Children’s Day, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) co-organized the III Cycling Marathon for preschool children on 31 May 2023 in Khiva.

The third edition of this yearly initiative gathered 120 children and was attended by high-level officials, including the First Deputy Minister of Preschool and School Education, the Deputy Minister of Youth Policy and Sports, the Deputy Governor of the Khorezm region, the Governor of Khiva city, as well as the Secretary General of the Uzbekistan Cycling Federation.

The event aims to engage children from an early age in regular physical exercise, and promote cycling and healthy lifestyles among the population. By involving the new generation in cycling culture and green mobility, the PCUz seeks to foster environmental education and include cycle training for children in pre-school education.

Prior to the competition, the PCUz supplied 500 balance bikes to pre-school facilities in Khiva, while teachers and physical education instructors were trained to teach pre-school children how to cycle in compliance with international standards.

For several years, the PCUz has been promoting green economy and sustainable development by integrating environmental education into the national pre-school education curriculum, with the programme “The Earth is Our Common Home”.