A presentation by Prof. Saikal Ibraimova from Osh State University, Kyrgyzstan.

Attitudes toward different types of people begin to be formulated at a young age. In regions with ethnic strife, children absorb negative cues from their families and communities about the “other” group and grow up to perpetuate this lack of tolerance. In the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan, ethnic tensions between Kyrgyz, Uzbeks and Tajiks are especially pronounced in the Fergana valley where all three groups live. The Magic Journey, an early childhood development program in Kyrgyzstan, aims to improve attitudes toward diversity. Dr. Saikal Ibraimova’s research assesses the impact of The Magic Journey in transforming children’s attitudes and the implications for conflict prevention.