Street Law Expands Work Across Uzbekistan

In just three short years, Street Law has expanded our work in Uzbekistan from a single program to multiple program sites across the country.

Since 2018, Street Law has collaborated with Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL) in Uzbekistan to develop and support their Street Law program in which law students teach law to secondary school students. In that time, the TSUL program has grown from a small upstart project to a large and impactful initiative.

Because of our work, hundreds of law student volunteers have now taught practical law-related lessons to more than 2,000 school students across Uzbekistan. The program has received recognition and support from the highest levels of the Uzbek government.

With the success of the initial program in Tashkent, Street Law and TSUL were eager to expand the program to the other regions of Uzbekistan, from the Fergana region in the east, all the way to the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan in the west.

By tapping in to TSUL’s network of regional “law colleges” located in each of the 13 regions of Uzbekistan, Street Law and TSUL were able to expand the Street Law initiative and innovative teaching methodology around the country.

Through a series of virtual trainings, Street Law and TSUL introduced the concept and methodology of Street Law to selected faculty directors at each of the 13 law colleges.

The trainings were facilitated by Judy Zimmer, expert consultant and former deputy director at Street Law, and Botirjon Kosimov, TSUL Street Law program director. The workshops demonstrated interactive teaching methodologies and lessons and allowed space for the new program directors to ask questions and troubleshoot issues or challenges.

This past February, law students were recruited, forming partnerships with local law schools, and training law students from seven of the regional colleges to teach lessons in local schools all over Uzbekistan.

Over the past three years, the Uzbek government has remained a dedicated supporter of Street Law’s mission. So dedicated in fact, that Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev issued a decree calling for the widespread implementation of Street Law across the country in both primary and secondary educational institutions.

Ultimately, however, this program has succeeded not only because of the dedication of the Uzbek government, but the dedication of hundreds of Street Law community partners and volunteers across Uzbekistan.

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Learn more about Street Law’s International Programs.

Image: Law students at Tashkent State University of Law attending a Street Law training event.