Kyrgyz teen elected to youth council in French town

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (MNTV) — A Kyrgyz teenager, Nestan, has been elected as a deputy to the municipal youth council of the French town of Sommieres, her father said, in a development highlighting growing youth participation in local governance abroad.

Samat Kushbek, Nestan’s father, announced the news on social media, saying his daughter received a certificate and a scarf bearing the French flag from the town’s mayor following her election, according to Kabar.

Kushbek said the family encouraged Nestan to view the role as an opportunity to gain experience that could one day benefit Kyrgyzstan.

“You are a Kyrgyz girl, and your experience from this young age can contribute to making Kyrgyzstan one of the leading countries in the world,” he wrote, adding that he and his wife, Ainura, urged their daughter to pursue her goals with confidence.

In comments to local media, Kushbek explained that municipal youth councils in France are advisory bodies established by local governments to engage children and young people in civic life. The councils, which began in France in 1979, introduce students to practical politics and provide a platform for young residents to propose initiatives to improve their communities.

In Sommieres, five schools participated in student elections, resulting in the selection of 17 youth deputies, he said. The council meets monthly with the mayor, gathers ideas from young people and develops selected proposals into projects for consideration by the main municipal council.

Kushbek said Nestan proposed five development projects for the town during her campaign and is now expected to help implement them as a deputy.

Drawing a comparison with Kyrgyzstan, he said similar youth participation could benefit cities and villages by allowing schoolchildren to share ideas with local councils.

“Sometimes children notice things adults overlook,” he said, citing suggestions related to playgrounds, sports facilities and music clubs.