On May 31, 2005, the EU/UNDP supported project “Enhancement of Living Standards in Namangan region” organized a journalist briefing on the Millennium Development Goals. The MDGs are a set of development goals that the Governments of the world, including Uzbekistan, have pledged to achieve by 2015.

The project intends to align UNDP operations in Namangan region behind the government strategy to improve living conditions and achieve the MDGs at national, regional and local level. During the briefing regional media representatives from 25 regional newspaper offices and 2 TV were informed on the project activities and discussed the media role in informing society in Namangan region on how the “Enhancement of Living Standards” project and the MDGs can make a concrete difference in people’s lives.

Project staff and journalist exchanged views on future project interventions to help 50 selected communities in the three districts of Chartak, Kasansay and Mnigbulak communities to help themselves in their development and rehabilitate social infrastructures. Also, they discussed a calendar of events to cover issues related to the adaptation of MDG to local needs and ELS project activities. Events on the list ranged from competitions on the best article on regional and local development to documentary films and support to events promoting social and economic development.