Dialogue with a mining company in Kargalyk

Kargalyk aiyl aimak is located in the mountainous area of Jalal-Abad region. In addition to conflicts due to limited resources (water, land, pastures), conflicts in Kargalyk, often arise between the local residents and mining companies due to the lack of communication between the local self-government bodies, residents and companies.

In order to increase the level of awareness, skills of conflict sensitivity among proactive youth, the “Tilektesh el” Public Association has developed the “Yntymaktuu Zhashtar - Aimaktyn Kelechegi” (Peaceful Youth is the Future of our Region) initiative to reduce social tension in Kargalyk.

This initiative is aimed at raising public awareness of the role, powers and methods of communication with local self-government bodies, increasing the capacity of the local kenesh (village council) to analyze and prevent conflicts, participate in mediation, apply conflict-sensitive approach in interaction with the local residents, increasing the potential of young people to prevent conflicts, improve political literacy, conflict sensitivity and tolerance, and, finally, in organizing meetings of local activists with employees and management of the mining company.

The training for school students was organized together with the League of Education to show the importance of the electoral process, participation in elections, and volunteering. "We even created youth divisions in 4 schools. Now they independently participate in the social life of the village of Kazarman: they go to community cleanups, participate in concerts. I am glad that we have "revived" our youth," says the Head of the initiative - Ilgiz Bektemirov.

In addition, “Tilectesh el” held sports games for social teambuilding with 19 teams participating, 180 players in total, and about 100 spectators.

However, the main problem in local society was the numerous rumors surrounding the mining company that increased public tension.

"It was a great victory for us to hold a round table and a training discussion between Makmal Gold company, the region administration, village administration and the local residents," Ilgiz says, "as a result, we have listened to arguments of all parties, having found that Makmal Gold Company, despite the high level of information transparency, does not provide the results of the work much and local self-government bodies, in turn, poorly inform the local residents about the possibility of getting access to information. Tension between the local residents and the company began to increase due to the lack of accurate information. People said, "We don't know what the company is doing and used slogans such as "This company should be closed!". Therefore, after this discussion, we conducted an awareness training for the company's employees, representatives of local authorities and activists. Also, all participants provided explanations about the company's work at a local radio station."

The mining company agreed and organized an excursion to the plant for local activists.

"Previously, people did not see how the company and the plant works, and believed in various rumors – for example, that only Chinese citizens work there. At first, the company's management was distrustful of the excursion, because there was a fear that the visit to the plant could escalate into a conflict, but the regional administration and law enforcement agencies were able to ensure the necessary atmosphere and took all necessary measures for the excursion. At first, the activists went to the plant with distrust, but after visiting the company itself and getting acquainted with its work, they were convinced that our local guys really work there."

This work was done by the “Tilektesh el” Public Association within the framework of the “Yntymaktuu Zhashtar - Aimaktyn Kelechegi” initiative. The initiative is funded by the “Yntymaktuu Zhashoo” project.

International Alert, together with the Development Policy Institute and the National Mediation Center, is implementing the “Yntymaktuu Zhashoo” (Living in Peace) project. The project is being implemented with the support of the European Union.