PLAYING FOR A BETTER CENTRAL ASIA: INTRODUCING VOICES OF CENTRAL ASIA

PLAYING FOR A BETTER CENTRAL ASIA: INTRODUCING VOICES OF CENTRAL ASIA

Do you know what lies beyond the mainstream media’s headlines when it comes to Central Asia? Are you curious to learn more about the human rights issues in this region? If so, you should try out a new free game app, Voices of Central Asia.

The app has been created by the Central Asia Solidarity Groups (CAG), a non-profit organization based in Sweden working to promote active and inclusive civil society in Central Asia that supports human rights and social justice. The game is designed to raise awareness about human rights issues in the region. “The project was created to spread information about the region; what kind of organizations are there, and what type of topics and situations they are focused on – to spread and increase attention, and get more engagement from people”, says Tatiana Stebneva, who led and coordinated the process of creating the app. With its focus on questions related to gender equality, freedom of speech, migration, youth, environment, security and more, the app Voices of Central Asia aims to give voice to discriminated communities and shed light on local civil society initiatives.

Voices of Central Asia is part of information and advocacy work of CAG. Currently, Central Asia remains largely unknown to the European public. It is often overlooked and exoticized by international media, and when included, it is generally about gloomy causes – reinforcing a negative image of the region. “The app was made for Sweden to inform people about what is happening in Central Asia. But the app has now expanded its reach to other countries in Europe and Central Asia – spreading purpose and information related to our partner organizations”, explains Stebneva. The lack of awareness is reflected in the limited priority given to Central Asia by the general public, academia, and the international aid community, which leads to a lack of resources for the region. As a result, local civil society organizations struggle to get funding and support, while continuing to work with local communities and striving to influence decision-making processes.

For this reason, CAG takes a lot of effort in the organization’s information and advocacy project – to raise awareness about Central Asia in Sweden and beyond. “Using a game-based approach, Voices of Central Asia aims to encourage people everywhere to learn about human rights and Central Asia in an engaging way”, says Stebneva, and explains how the mission is to create a more informed and aware public that can take action to support local civil society organizations in Central Asia, and advocate for the human rights of marginalized communities.

The game contains seven storylines that invite players to take on the role of various characters, making choices that shape the outcome of their stories. The storylines are based on reports from local non-governmental organizations and CAG’s collaboration projects with civil society in the region, giving voices to the issues that they have raised. While navigating through the game’s stories, players are introduced to background information on each topic, which allows them to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the current situation in Central Asia.

Storylines have a big potential to influence people’s attitudes towards an issue, owing to their engaging nature. “With Voices of Central Asia we aim to bring attention to pressing matters, such as the problem of bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan and water scarcity in the region. The goal is to not only make sure that the serious message gets through, but to also keep the players invested and engaged”, Stebneva explains.

By stepping into the shoes of different characters through the game, players can experience perspectives and contexts different from theirs, which gives them a better understanding of the complexities of human rights challenges in Central Asia, and encourages the players to reflect on their own privileges and biases. “An example of this could be playing a storyline focused on the environment”, says Stebneva, and explains how Central Asia is one of the global regions which are most severely affected by climate change. When the players navigate through the life of a character living in an area particularly vulnerable to the impacts of this global crisis, they can get a better grasp of its urgency and consequences. “In addition to bringing attention to these issues, we also highlight the initiatives aimed at addressing them”, says Sebneva. For example, the game features organizations that CAG has been working with to tackle environmental issues, encouraging players to support these initiatives and bring positive change.

CAG plans to update the Voices of Central Asia app with additional storylines in the coming months and years, focusing on more issues connected to gender equality, environment and climate, security and resilience, and democratic youth organizing in Central Asia. The goal is to reach a broader audience to drive change and promote democratic Central Asia and a more just world.

Voices of Central Asia is available in English and Swedish and can be downloaded on both Google Play and the App Store. It is a useful resource for everyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the civil society landscape and human rights challenges in Central Asia. Visit CAG’s webpage if you would like to know more about the work of the organization. Tatiana Sebneva encourages people to try the app and grow their knowledge: “Play now and become an informed advocate for a better Central Asia!”

by Johan Blomqvist

The Listapad Film Festival became the main event of this fall.

The twenty-ninth film festival “Listapad” held from November 17th to 24th became a significant event of autumn and the film industry in Belarus. Such a large-scale event united a lot of film lovers, actors, directors and many others. The rich days of the film festival will be remembered by all participants and spectators who had the honor to be the first to watch the films.

A multi-genre program. Rich festival days, master classes, creative meetings, briefings. Interest in documentary films. This year’s show of animated films for the youngest ones aroused special interest: kids missed going to cinemas after the pandemic, and adults appreciated how animation and the use of neural networks have advanced. Pakistani Movie Day was held with the support of the Embassy of Pakistan. The screening of the movie “Kamli” was attended by the Ambassador of Pakistan – Sajjad Haider Khan. Days of Kazakhstan Cinema” and “Days of Uzbek Cinema”, screening of wonderful films of Russian directors and “ashes of the USSR collection” took place. The work of the jury was at the highest and professional level.

A breakthrough was the picture of a young and talented filmmaker – Kirill Khaletsky “Kinoshniki”.

Director of Belarusfilm Yuri Aleksei, while communicating with the directors, emphasized the desire of young people to develop and do everything for the benefit of the country and the film industry.

On the twenty-third day in the cinema “Tsentralny” there was a screening of the film “Khitrovka.Sign of Four”, which was presented by Alexander Oleshko, who came specially for the sake of the film festival, noting that every time he was glad to return to his beloved Belarus. Warm communication with the audience and stories brightened the end of the competition day.

The press conference in the press house gathered media and journalists from different editions and TV channels. During the communication Irina Driga (representative of the Ministry of Culture on the film industry) emphasized that it is worth developing and continuing to help young people discover their talents, as well as that the film industry is coming back after the pandemic.

The festival is notable for the fact that for the first time the Republic of Belarus and the People’s Republic of China signed agreements on cooperation and filming of a movie. Actor and producer Lei Hanyu was honored by the director of Belarusfilm Yuri Aleksei.

On November twenty-fourth the closing ceremony of the festival took place. All the busy days flew by quickly enough and here in “Doi Kino” the invited people gathered to enjoy the evening and the atmosphere, live music, photo zone, communication and new acquaintances, communication with the media and journalists, beauty around, and most importantly the announcement of the winners, which everyone was looking forward to.

Winners of the main competitions of Listapada:

Grand Prix “Gold of Listapad” for the best film of the film festival was awarded to “Tailor from Brooklyn” (Russia, directed by Evgeny Serov)

The Audience Award for Best Feature Film went to “Kamli” (Pakistan, directed by Sarmad Sultan Khusad).

The prize for the best movie was awarded to “Kamli” (Pakistan, directed by Sarmad Sultan Khusad). The Emperor” (Russia, directed by Alfiya Khabibullina) received the V.T. Turow Award for Best Film

Ada” (Russia, directed by Stanislav Svetlov) won the Audience Award of the “Cinema of the Young” competition.

The prize for the best film of the Animation Film Competition went to In the Shadow of Cypress (Iran, directed by Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi).

The prize for the best non-fiction film was awarded to “God, I Feel Thy Approaching” (Russia, directed by Nikolay Burlyaev, Dmitry Chernetsov).

The Audience Award was given to the movie “By the Experimental Way” (Russia, directed by Vladimir Golovnev).

We congratulate the worthy winners and look forward to an even bigger and cooler thirtieth Listapad Film Festival.

THE FUTUREOF HIGHER EDUCATIONIN CENTRAL ASIA

THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

After World War II, a massive expansion of higher education took place. What had traditionally been a privilege for a small percentage of the population gradually became an expectation for the majority, and by now almost two thirds of working-age Americans have some education beyond a high school degree. The skills of university graduates allowed them to join an expanding knowledge-based economy, and a BA degree became a ticket to the growing middle class. Without anyone fully noticing, however, the higher education system changed character. Most students enrolled not because they wanted to think deep thoughts about fundamental issues, but because they needed marketable skills and a credential. Universities catered to these desires because the resources brought by a lot of students allowed them to expand their faculty and research base.

by javier trueba

@ javier trueba

Effectively they made a Faustian bargain – we give you skills that pave the way for employment and call it education; you put up with a small amount of fundamental knowledge in exchange for a credential that provides you with an economic leg up. It worked if most graduates could monetize their degrees. But as this has become more difficult, Americans are asking whether the cost of higher education is worth it, and enrollments are beginning to fall.

America’s lead was followed in many countries, taking various approaches. While the USSR also expanded the availability of higher education, it carefully controlled access, attempting to ensure that graduates could be absorbed by the economy. Although in the centrally planned but stagnating late Soviet economy a university degree did not necessarily provide great material advantages, it did confer social status and was highly prized. Recognizing the pent-up demand for higher education after the collapse of the USSR, most former Soviet republics allowed the system to expand enormously, with limited oversight. This led to significant increases in enrollments but did not produce commensurate economic benefits, neither for societies nor for individual graduates.

Beyond economics, three other global factors play into skepticism regarding the value of a BA degree: 1) the rise of sectors of the economy that do not demand a BA for entry — IT most visibly; 2) the accessibility of on-line courses that teach specific skills; 3) the global pace of change that causes students to doubt whether they should sit in one place for a long time.

In my view, the result of these trends will be a sharp split in post-high-school education trajectories, not just in Central Asia, but throughout the world. A small minority of the most ambitious students will wish and need to receive an updated version of the deep and fundamental education that universities traditionally provided. This education will not focus on skills and knowledge (although it will inevitably provide both) but rather on a deep understanding of the world and its complexity, on the ability to ask tough questions, to find unexpected answers. Students will “waste” a lot of time exploring various possibilities, and their education will only begin with a BA degree. The payoff will not be immediate, but if such programs are well implemented, they can potentially create a group of enlightened leaders who can solve the “wicked” questions plaguing humanity. Innovative projects to provide this type of education are currently ongoing, and I personally have been asked by Arsen Tomsky, founder of the company inDrive, to create one – inVision U will be up and running by 2025, beginning in Kazakhstan and then in multiple countries.

Most students, however, cannot benefit from this kind of education, nor can societies afford to provide it. Instead, students want useful knowledge and skills, and they need to be able to put them to work quickly and efficiently. For this purpose, the higher education system needs to stop producing ever larger numbers of BA graduates, but rather to build well-thought-out two-year programs that provide students with a skill set that allows them to join the workforce, create their own small and medium-sized enterprises, and grow and develop going forward.

My own experience creating and developing Compass College of Art and Design Professions in Bishkek (https://compasscollege.art/en ) shows how this can be done. A college in the former USSR offers three-year programs and accepts students after the 9th grade (at around age 15). Year one provides an accelerated path to complete high school, combing the final two years into one; it is followed by a two-year professional program. This is akin to a US associate degree program but is better, as we can use the high school year to open students’ minds and focus their attention on their future profession. We have discovered that if we offer a creative high school curriculum that concentrates on how to ask questions, how to think, analyze and present ideas, and how to use contemporary technology to find answers, we can quickly move students into design programs, allowing them to graduate at age 18 with imagination, curiosity, and highly marketable skills. They can enter the work force, start their own business, or skip one year of a European style three-year BA program or two of a US style four-year program should they choose to continue studying. Our programs are popular with students and parents because they do not waste time and they produce tangible results. While programs like this are not suitable for every field, most academic fields could be broken up into 2 + 2 blocks.

A major expansion of programs of this sort, with a clear credit transfer scheme for those who have a desire to eventually pursue a BA degree would be extremely beneficial for Central Asian countries. Kyrgyzstan, for example, which currently has approximately 250,000 students enrolled in mostly unproductive BA programs, would be able shrink them by around 60%, encouraging most students to participate instead in three-year open enrollment programs after 9th grade. Only a subset of the most ambitious, hardworking, and talented would later go on to bachelor’s level education. This approach would allow the state to invest its higher education resources more strategically, produce graduates whose skills and knowledge are linked to actual economic needs, and significantly amp up the intellectual requirements for those who ultimately wish to pursue a BA. There are many hurdles to overcome to achieve this outcome. But the work must be done to solve the significant mismatch between what the educational system needs to do to build the future economy and the current expectations of parents, students, and society.

by Andrew Wachtel Co-founder Director, Compass College,
Director of Educational Programs, inDrive Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

OCA #49 People edition Interview with MUKHAMEJAN ZEINELKHAN

OCA #49 People edition Interview with MUKHAMEJAN ZEINELKHAN

TRADITIONAL KAZAKH EMBROIDERY “KESTE” AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work
Mukhamejan Zeinelkhan: I’m Mukhamejan Zeinelkhan, an artist. Born in Batam-Ulgiy region, Mongolia. Before school , l grew up in the countryside with my parents. I graduated from high school in 1974 and entered the Fine Arts school in Ulaanbaatar, graduating in 1978. I was taught by very talented teachers. The teachers who taught me at that time are now the leaders and masters of the Mongolian fine arts. The conversations of my teachers with students about creativity and what they taught us left a deep mark on my creative path. D.Amgalan – National Artist of Mongolia, Honoured Worked of Mongolian Art Purevsuh, Olziihutag, and my class teacher Ya. Tuyaa. One of them is a teacher of compounds, the other of painting and practical plain-airs for artists. And my other teachers are, of course, the history, legends and epics of my Kazakh people. For more than 30 years as an artist, I have been reviewing the forgotten Kazakh Art “Keste ‘’ in addition, l taught traditional art at the Academies of Arts and Art college. Many of my students are currently performing their art with the art of “Keste’’ and participating in exhibitions. My students Zeinelkhan Botakoz, Assel Abilkhay are famous among young artists for their unique handwriting.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?
MZ: My creatime path began with the rich traditional crafts of the Kazakh people, including “Keste” embroidery, it was necessary to bring it closer to modern art. To adapt to a new direction, while retaining the features of the traditional embroidery art, which is almost lost. My first work, to the attention of an art critic.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2022-2023?
MZ: In 2022 years I became a “Diploma Winner “ in the nomination of Decorative Applied Artist at the UMAI NATIONAL Prize.
In 2022, my work was published in the leading Art-Catalog “The Great Steppe Treasury” in London. In addition, I became the owner of the “KENSINGTON” diploma under the international program EAF Art REZIDENCE PROGRAM 2022-2023. I am also a member of the Eurasian Creative Guild.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?
MZ: In 1992 I moved to my historical homeland, to Kazakhstan, where the most successful periods of my work began. The traditional art of “Keste” (embroidery) opened a new breath in me. Now “Keste” (embroidery) is a modern genre in Kazakh art. Raikhan Yergalieva, a well-known Art-science Kazakhstan doctor, says about creative path: “It’s not simple in our temptations time after all research and delights of 20th century art to find your unique creative way among the many beaten tracks. To create a new art direction for modern culture especially seems almost unreal. However, it turns out that even now, when we often remember the words that “nothing new for the moon”, there is still opportunity for unique artistic discoveries. And this, of course, pleases, This helped me to step on the new international and application of traditional Kazakh crochet embroidery techniques, and then create on this basis a new direction, or even a kind of fine art. Most likely, it is an open-minded approach to the tradition, the new brave and unexpected view of things, the painstaking hard work and certainly the “smallness “ without which it is impressive – an artistic talent and taste.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?
MZ: The Eurasian Creative Guild came to us bringing together talented artists. This opened the way to a deep acquaintance with the art of England. The publication of my creative work in London leading Art Catalog has changed my creative life. We have a dream in the future to present our work to the care that our dream will come true.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?
MZ: My task is to raise the traditional Kazakh embroidery “Keste” at the international level.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?
MZ: I wish the members of the Guild and colleagues great creative success!

BELARUS’ EDUCATION POLICYFORGES A NEW PATH

BELARUS’ EDUCATION POLICY FORGES A NEW PATH

In the Republic of Belarus, education is the basis of statehood; it ensures the reproduction of personnel and forms high quality of human capital.

Belarus has managed to develop the best traditions of the Soviet education system, while also balancing healthy conservatism and innovation. The country adopted the Education Code and developed the Conceptual Approaches to the Development of the Education System in the Republic of Belarus for the period up to 2030. The policy implemented in Belarus meets current demand in society for practice-oriented education as a condition for the subsequent competitiveness of the graduate.

In the media education is being positioned as an institution that plays an important role in the development of society through the prism of the transfer of knowledge, skills and values from one generation to the next. A large number of students are an evidence of the demand for education: 238 500 students and undergraduates received higher education in 2022/2023 academic year, 108 900 students received specialized secondary education, and 60 500 students received vocational education.

Progressive evolutionary development, constant mastering of modern approaches in combination with attractive tuition fees contribute to the popularisation of Belarusian education among foreign citizens. A significant rise in the number of foreign students has been seen from 26 000 in 2020 to 33 000 in 2022. This testifies to the recognition of Belarusian education in the world. At present, national universities are implementing more than 200 joint educational programmes with foreign higher education institutions. Interaction with China is actively developing – currently, there are about 550 cooperation agreements between Belarusian and Chinese universities.

As of 1 January 2022, the following Belarusian institutions were among the 5 thousand best universities in the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities (webometric ranking of universities by the Cybermetrics research group, which is part of the Spanish National Research Council): Belarusian State University (806 position), Belarusian National Technical University (3377th position), Francisk Skorina Gomel State University (3746th position), Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (3751 th position), Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno (3905th position), Belarusian State Medical University (4107th position), Grodno State Medical University (4775th position), Polotsk State University (4791th position), A.S. Pushkin Brest State University (4926 position), Belarusian State Technological University (4954 th position).

The 2022 QS World University Rankings (rankings of universities compiled by the British company Quacquarelli Symonds) include the Belarusian State University (295th position) and others in respectable places.

The Republic of Belarus continues to implement the course of adaptation of future generations to the latest trends in the educational and economic space, while preserving its national features and accumulated experience.

by Dmitry Shchepachev, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.,
Embassy of Belarus in the UK
The article is based on materials provided by Belarusian Institute for Strategic Research

OCA #49 People edition Interview with KARINA MULIAR

OCA #49 People edition Interview with KARINA MULIAR

MY GOAL IS TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK ABOUT HUMAN VALUES

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work
Karina Muliar: I was born and raised in Chisinau, Moldova. Graduated from the Kishinev Academy of Arts. In 1991, the family emigrated to Israel.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?
KM: I started writing short stories in 2010. Classical literature served as an example for me. Of modern authors, the style of Arkady Arkanov and Victoria Tokareva is close to me.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2022-2023?
KM: Publication of my next book “Without Details”.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?
KM: My attempts to give sound to words.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?
KM: Online meetings with Guild members, participation in contests, judging. The friendly and respectful attitude towards all members of the Guild is very attractive. I look forward to further cooperation.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?
KM: My goal is to make people think about good and evil, love and hate and other human values.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?
KM: I wish them more good stories, health, and happiness.

PARTNERSHIP FOR A NEW UZBEKISTAN

PARTNERSHIP FOR A NEW UZBEKISTAN

The British Council has been supporting systemic education reform and cultural relations between Uzbekistan and the United Kingdom for the last quarter of a century since the signing of a formal bilateral agreement with the Government of Uzbekistan in October 1996.

A key focus of the reforms over the past few years has been on the quality of education and its relevance to the needs of the growing market, more holistic approaches to reform, widening access to education opportunities, teacher education as well as English language teaching and learning.

2023 was announced by the President of Uzbekistan as the Year of Human Care and Quality Education and a number of new strategic directions for education sector development are being developed, including the Uzbekistan Partnership Compact for Education Reform, which was signed by all development partners in April 2023.

These priorities are shaping the British Council’s programme in Uzbekistan.

As part of the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships programme in Uzbekistan to contribute to large-scale higher education reform, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan we launched a University Governance policy discussions series. The series aims to explore different dimensions of higher education governance, drawing from Uzbekistan’s and the UK’s experience to benefit national higher education governance system and structures.

This series, that has brought together around 500 academic leaders from all over Uzbekistan, focuses on higher education development priorities for Uzbekistan and covers the fundamental principles of Higher Education governance with a focus on a typical university governing body structure, its membership and national regulation. It also focuses on key relations between executive and Governing Boards and shares rectors’ and CEO’s perspectives on how the Governing Boards contribute to quality assurance and vision for university development and discusses the role of academic governance via academic boards. The series included the national Round Table on Nurturing Governance Culture in Universities on February 24, 2023 and focused on building and growing a governance culture and discussed how all stakeholders build and sustain effective governance within and across universities.

On May 7-10 2023 a delegation from Uzbekistan, including the Minister of Pre-school and School Education (Hilola Umarova), First Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovations (Komiljon Karimov), Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies (Rustam Karimjonov) and the Director of the British Council Uzbekistan (Denise Waddingham) attended the Education World Forum in London – the world’s largest gathering of education and skills Ministers and education leaders. The visit programme included meetings with the UK’s education ministers, leadership of the British Council and the World Bank, heads of leading education institutions such as QAA, Advance HE, Ofsted, Cambridge Partnership for Education, Norwich Institute for Language Education and more than 20 UK higher education institutions as well as the opportunity to meet education ministers of other countries.

2023 has been the final year for the British Council’s Creative Spark five-year regional initiative to support international university and institutional partnerships to develop enterprise skills and creative economy through partnership with the UK. The programme in Uzbekistan was developed in response to large scale national reforms in economy and education and to support the national creative sector and a demand for entrepreneurship training leading to wealth and job creation.

At a national level the programme worked in close partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, El-Yurt Umidi Foundation, Art and Culture Development Foundation under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and major higher education institutions in Uzbekistan to develop innovative approaches to creative entrepreneurial education and make it relevant to the needs of the growing market. Over 5 years partnerships have been made with Goldsmiths University London, London Metropolitan Univerity and Queen Margaret Univeristy.

As a result of the programme, a Quality Practice Framework was developed, bringing together the work and best practice shared by Creative Spark partnerships, aiming to introduce creative enterprise education to universities in Uzbekistan. The Big Idea Challenge and Entrepreneurial University Awards schemes offered higher education students and academics, as well as young entrepreneurs, opportunities to develop and present their project ideas and get recognition for excellent business start-up or education reform work in their institutions.

Under the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships programme in Uzbekistan a college partnership was developed in 2022-2023 between Lincoln College, UK and two Uzbekistan technical colleges – Fergana City Vocational School and Tashkent Technicum of Economics and Industry. The partnership focused on quality assurance in vocation education and explored self-assessment reviews and planning documents used by the colleges in the UK. As part of the project in February 2023 Uzbekistan colleges and representatives of the Ministry visited Lincoln College to explore quality assurance processes and to share good practice. On May 14-20, 2023, Lincoln College visited Uzbekistan to engage with senior college managers as well as academic staff and practitioners around quality assurance and new teaching approaches to develop an action plan for further cooperation. On May 18, 2023, Lincoln College and Tashkent Technicum of Economics and Industry signed an MoU around further partnership and met with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations to explore wider partnership opportunities with the vocational education sector in Uzbekistan.

In 2022 to support higher education reform in Uzbekistan and to contribute to the development of inclusive higher education, the British Council, Westminster International University in Tashkent and the University of Westminster in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan with support from the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan launched an Inclusive University initiative. A 2022 conference looked at the issues related to women’s empowerment and girls’ education, access to education for people with disabilities and those from low-income families. The Conference themes included: The Inclusive Curriculum, Inclusive Higher Education Leadership Development, Inclusive Student Support and Skills Development as well as Inclusive Institutional Culture.

As a result of the Conference, a national Inclusive University working group under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan was established to share good practice and coordinate the efforts around more inclusive higher education provision specifically focusing on:
Embedding inclusion in university strategies
Shaping a more inclusive curriculum
Providing more relevant student support.

The group will take a systemic and consultative approach and among immediate steps, in 2023, has started a mapping of major inclusive education stakeholders and will aim to develop a Good Practice Guide based on the best national and international experience.

Making universities more inclusive will help attract talent, create an inclusive culture for all, diversify thinking and approaches, promote innovation and growth, diversify communities and create opportunities.

English Reform is central to work of the British Council in Uzbekistan. We continue to support reform of national pre-service teacher training (PRESETT) for future English teachers. To date 17 Universities in Uzbekistan teach to the modern curriculum developed in partnership between the Ministry of Higher education, Science and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the British Council.

The British Council plays a convening role as co-chair with the Ministry of the English Reform Steering Group which aims to ensure a holistic approach to teacher education and the main drivers of reform, and to connect the Ministry to influential ELT networks, institutions and professionals.

Creative Economy
Beyond education, the British Council’s arts and culture work includes supporting government of Uzbekistan efforts to introduce measures to support the growth and sustainability of cultural producers and creative businesses. More recently this has included specific measures to support the tourist industry and the traditional arts and crafts that help to underpin it, and to develop the night-time economy. As a contribution to this long-term process, the British Council commissioned a mapping of creative industries in Uzbekistan. The report offered a number of recommendations, highlighting in particular the need for more comprehensive mapping and data for creative industries, the need for a broader skills strategy (focusing especially on business, marketing and producing skills), and the need for more systematic co-operation between government and the creative industries. This study will inform the programme and themes of the upcoming World Creative Economy Conference, which will be held in Tashkent in 2024.

We support arts and creative industries in Uzbekistan with our own Creative Producers programme. It started in 2019 after a need was identified by the cultural sector in the country to have skilled arts practitioners who could go beyond their usual managerial duties. Throughout the past four years, UK trainers have worked with more than 30 emerging creative producers to develop a group of professionals who feel empowered to encourage artistic experimentation and work across artforms.

These are very exciting times in Uzbekistan, and we are delighted to work with our excellent partners and networks in the UK and Uzbekistan to create new opportunities for young people to realize their potential, to succeed and to shape the future.

by Denise Waddingham, Director, British Council Uzbekistan
by Jamilya Gulyamova, Deputy Director, British Council Uzbekistan.

OCA #49 People edition Interview with AL ZATURANSKY

OCA #49 People edition Interview with AL ZATURANSKY

MY GOAL IS TO SPEAK TO MY READERS AT EYE LEVEL

OCA Magazine: Please tell us about yourself and your creative activity/work.
Al Zaturansky: I am first of all a writer. Life doesn’t always allow us to fulfill our childhood dreams. Both of my parents were doctors and they wanted me to be a doctor as well. My new country, Israel, specifically wanted me to become a military doctor, and that is what I did. My dream, however, was always to become a writer, so that is what I eventually did. The main theme of my novels is the human being. I feel the joy, suffering, failure and revival of my characters along with them. As Gustave Flaubert once remarked, “Madame Bovary is me.”

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?
AZ: The urge to tell stories that came together with the faculty of speech. The urge to write stories came as I learned how to write. The decision to become a writer came when I immersed myself into the psychological depth of Dostoyevsky’s characters. As Dostoyevsky once remarked, “beauty will save the world.” Not the physical beauty, but the beauty of the human soul. Dostoyevsky became my role model in literature.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2022-2023?
AZ: I would say my short plays: “The Old Man and the Doctor” and “Crossroads,” which gained recognition at the “All the World’s a Stage” international competition. I would also mention my novel “Loving an Autist”.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your artwork unique?
AZ: All of the characters in my novels are realistically depicted, and each one has his or her well defined personality. What stands out in my work is that there isn’t one main character, they are all equally significant. Additionally, the end of my novels are always unpredictable and dramatic.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?
AZ: I took part in the prose competition of ECG in 2022 with my novel “Loving an Autist”. Without any doubt the ECG influenced my life, opened new horizons, and gave me hope that my novels will reach a broad audience and will enjoy recognition. What more could a writer wish for?

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?
AZ: My goal is simple: To speak to my readers at eye level, about their love, their disappointments, their faith and their perception of good and evil. I am looking for a dialogue that will give us, my readers and I, a higher understanding of ourselves.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?
AZ: I wish for all creative artists to master hard work with ease. I wish them a deep view into our time that changes every minute. They should always believe in success and never lose their Muse!

EDUCATIONIN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

EDUCATION IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

Education is one of Kyrgyzstan’s priority areas that will be a key factor in determining the development of the country. According to the UN Sustainable Development Goal until 2030, the provision of quality education is one of the most important components of development. Education in the Kyrgyz Republic is aimed at developing the abilities of its human resources, as well as performing two large-scale tasks. First, the preservation and further development of national identity, national values, cultural identity and diversity in the context of globalization. Secondly, integration into the world’s educational system, whilst retaining national identity.

In the context of globalization, the country’s education is already focused on training specialists who will be in demand not only in the domestic economy, but also in the global labour market. In this regard, the requirements for the quality of education are increasing in order to increase the competitiveness of the education system in the global educational space.

In recent years, the labour market has reacted quickly to the changes taking place in the world and places high demands on individual professions. These include professions in the following areas: robotics, biotechnology, IT technologies and nanotechnology. It is clear that it is urgently and decisively necessary to introduce cardinal changes into the education system. The whole world is looking towards “4.0 Industry” technology, where the boundaries of technological, digital and biological spheres will be levelled. “4.0 Industry” is the outcome of the third industrial revolution and the emergence of new innovations. For society to keep pace it must direct all efforts to develop its education system in a new direction.
In this regard, the Kyrgyz education system is increasingly faced with the need to improve computer literacy among teachers and students, improve educational infrastructure (taking into account digital technologies), strengthen distance and other forms of education through a changing technological environment.

With this in mind, most recently, on August 16, 2023, a new law “On Education” was adopted in Kyrgyzstan, which aims to reform the institute of education to improve the quality of educational services provided to the population. According to the law, among the principles of educational policy are the independence of education from political and religious institutions and the secular nature of education in state and municipal educational organizations.

The new law makes primary and secondary general education mandatory levels of education for citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic until the 11th grade. If a student wants to leave after the 9th grade, they must enroll in a college or technical school. In order to prepare competitive youth, to master specialized skills when graduating from a general education organization, specialized training is included in school education.

Kyrgyzstan is a state with a young and educated population, where 30% are children under 15 years old. Every fifth able-bodied resident of the country has a higher or incomplete higher education, every eighth person has a specialized secondary education. According to the UN, in 2025 Kyrgyzstan will reach its maximum population growth at 5.92%. Accordingly, from 2028 the maximum burden will fall on kindergartens, and from 2032 the maximum burden will shift to schools of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Accordingly, the demographic situation will exert increasing pressure on the development of infrastructure, which will require a proactive policy of building social facilities to maintain the coverage of children and the population as a whole to improve the quality of education. An increase in the number of students inevitably entails an increase in the burden on teachers, which creates the need for a proactive policy of attracting and training teaching staff not only in quantitative, but also in qualitative areas.

Currently, there are 2,353 schools in Kyrgyzstan, 191 of them private, the number of students from grades 1 to 11 is 1.4 million children. The number of teachers is just under 83,000.

As part of the large-scale state support provided in recent years, intensive construction of new preschool institutions, secondary schools and higher educational institutions has been carried out in all regions of the country, growth points are being formed, infrastructure, including technological infrastructure, is being developed, the most modern information and communication technologies, schools and universities are equipped with modern computer technology and multimedia teaching tools. In the context of the formation of an industrially developed economy in the country, special attention will be paid to the support of scientific and technical initiatives.

Much attention is also paid to the quality and qualifications of the teaching staff of schools throughout the country. The prestige and role of the teacher increases. For the first time since independence, the salaries of the country’s teachers have been increased by more than double and the government doesn’t stop there. There are clear plans to further increase both the importance and prestige of the teaching profession in both public life and material encouragement.

An example of a new type of education is the presidential Lyceum “Akylman” in Cholpon-Ata, where the best students from all regions of the country study according to the most advanced educational methods. There will be more such educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan.

Favorable conditions are being created to support and stimulate talented young people in the field of science and technology. A centre for young scientists has been created. International scientific cooperation continues to be important. The education of the younger generation in the spirit of mutual respect and respect for other cultures is carried out through the teaching of national culture and intercultural international dialogue.

As for the higher education system, it is a network of 63 higher professional institutions, of which the share of private educational institutions is growing.

As part of the optimization of the activities of state universities and specialties in Kyrgyzstan, the process of consolidation of higher educational institutions has begun on the basis of the unification of several higher educational institutions. For example, the leading British universities – Cambridge and Oxford – are quite large, concentrating huge financial, material and intellectual resources. A large university always means more opportunities to create laboratories, to attract scientists, to recruit scientific personnel, to increase the publication activity of teachers, to participate in major projects, to improve the financial situation of the university. As a result the number of state universities has decreased from 33 to 28 universities to improve the economies of scale.
Last year, 5 state universities of the country (KNU named after Zh. Balasagyn, KSTU named after I. Razzakov, KNAU named after K.I.Scriabin, KSMU named after I.Akhunbayev and OSH State University) received special status, including providing them with broad organizational, financial and academic autonomy. The ambition is the entry of universities into the top 500 international rankings within 5 years, the passage of international program and/or institutional accreditation, and the establishment of universities as research centers to stimulate economic development in relevant industries with the integration of education, science and production.

For its part, the State promotes the expansion of opportunities and access to education within the framework of more than 28 intergovernmental commissions, about 10 intergovernmental agreements annually provide Kyrgyz citizens with free education abroad. To date, solid ties have been established in the educational sphere with more than 70 countries of the world, including the UK. Kyrgyzstan is also becoming a regional educational hub. With a total number of students of more than 230,000 people, more than 80,000 of them are international students from more than 70 countries.
In order to integrate Kyrgyzstan more widely into the global educational space, the priorities are to further improve the quality of education, create and provide adequate infrastructure and educational services, improve the environment for foreign students, expand and develop interuniversity contacts with leading foreign universities.

His Excellency Mr. Ulan Djusupov
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

OCA #49 People edition Interview with LIUDMILA LARKINA

OCA #49 People edition Interview with LIUDMILA LARKINA

EACH PERSON FOR ME IS NOT A WRITTEN BOOK

OCA Magazine: Please tell us about yourself and your creative work
Liudmila Larkina: I am writing about the fate of Russian-speaking emigrants living in Australia. In Australia, there is a most valuable layer of Russian history, completely unexplored, covered with the dust of oblivion. Many Russians scattered around the world after revolutions and wars settled on the 5th continent. I record interviews with representatives of the first waves of emigration, whom I still managed to catch, archive their memories, analyze, and study. In 2009, I created the magazine “Australian lampada” – a chronicle of Russians in Australia, which is published to this day. I have published 18 books in the 20 years of living in Australia. All my books are not fictitious stories, novellas. A series of my books is called “Non-Fictional Stories from the Life of Russian Emigrants in Australia’’. My books are being translated into English at the State University of Queensland and in America. There are stories that have been translated into Italian and German. I also draw. In my paintings there are landscapes of Russia and Australia. There is a series of paintings “Temples of Russia”, which is very popular with Australians, and they buy paintings for their interiors.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your example/teacher?
LL: As a child, I loved to participate in poetry reading competitions. After one such inter-district, children’s competition, at which I read poems of my own composition, a correspondent from the local newspaper Svetly Put came to our school, and for the first time I gave him an interview about how I write poetry. My poems were published in the newspaper. I was very inspired by the attention of adults to my work, and I began to write more and more. My poems and stories were systematically published in local newspapers. During my student years, I was the editor of the student newspaper Juventus. Working as a researcher in Russian museums, by the nature of my activity, I had to write a lot of articles, reports, and describe scientific research about ethnography. Over time, I realized that I could not live without writing.

OCA: What do you consider your main achievement in 2022-2023?
LL: In 2023, I became a member of the International Eurasian Creative Guild and met many talented authors personally. I am very glad that the International Eurasian Creative Guild entered my life.

OCA: What do you think is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique and valuable?
LL: I really like to communicate with people. Each person for me is not a written book that needs to be written in time, to learn from the experience of a person who can leave with his knowledge and experience tragedies. It is important to have time to write down and pass on their wisdom to others. The experience of people is the most valuable thing we have. Studying the life of one family, we study the life history of entire generations. Their experience can prevent troubles, wars, catastrophes.

OCA: Please tell us about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) in which you have already managed to participate and how ECG(London) has influenced your life?
LL: In December 2022, the International Conference of the Eurasian Creative Guild was held in the Australian city of Melbourne, where I attended as a delegate, speaker, and became one of the winners in the Heritage nomination. I met writers, poets, artists from Israel, America, England, Russia, Uzbekistan and many other countries. This expanded the boundaries of communication, gave new strength, set new goals. I am very grateful to the creators and leaders of the creative guild for their work, for the inspiration they inspire, for the way they treat authors, literature, history, and publishing.

OCA: What is your motivation and what is your goal?
LL: My goal is to record Russian history in Australia while there are still people alive who can tell about it first hand. In my books, the story is about how emigrants built Russian Orthodox churches on the 5th continent, nursing homes, Russian clubs, schools, libraries, how they preserved culture, passing on love for the Motherland from one generation to another. Much can be learned from these people who have suffered terrible hardships, forced to leave their native lands after revolutions and wars, but have forever preserved their love for their Motherland and built their little Russia on the 5th continent.

OCA: What would you wish to members of the Guild and other creative people who are just starting their journey?
LL: I wish prosperity to the Eurasian International Creative Guild and your magazine. To all authors, artists of new creative finds. As long as there are such guilds and authors who are willing and able to create beauty, the World will live.

PRIMUS INTER PARES. KAZAKH ABLAI KHANUNIVERSITY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSAND WORLD LANGUAGES IS THE FLAGSHIPOF FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION

PRIMUS INTER PARES. KAZAKH ABLAI KHAN UNIVERSITY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND WORLD LANGUAGES IS THE FLAGSHIP OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION

INTERVIEW WITH SALIMA KUNANBAYEVA

For 80 years, the Ablai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages (KazUIRaWL), which has vast experience and a rich history, remains a leader in higher education, offering innovative solutions in the training of specialists. Dr Salima Kunanbayeva, the Rector, an Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and a member of the Academic Council of the University of Oxford, tells OCA Magazine about the university today.
OCA Magazine:
Your name is associated with the transformation of the Almaty Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages into the Ablai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages with its entry into the international educational space. How do you look back on this achievement?

Salima Kunanbayeva: Today, the university is a large scientific and educational complex specializing in training people in humanities, foreign languages and international profiles. This is the only university in the country that provides vocational training in 17 world languages. The range of specialties, primarily international ones, has been expanded, university faculties have been opened, and a cluster system has been thought out for the pedagogical direction of foreign languages, which includes a linguistic lyceum college, a college of international tourism, a college of international service and management, and a pedagogical college of foreign languages. Currently, the university has 7 basic faculties: the Faculty of Translation and Philology, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Management and International-Native Communications, the Faculty of International Relations, the Faculty of Oriental Studies, the Faculty of Additional Education and the Faculty of Economics and Law. Training at the university is conducted in 11 world languages; there are masters and doctoral studies.

OCA: The offered professions that can be obtained are undoubtedly still in fashion to this day – in fact “foreign language” professions are highly regarded, even more so today. How have your graduates fared since graduation?

SK: The main criterion for the activity of any educational institution is the demand for its graduates. Graduates of our university are competitive and in demand due to the high assessment by employers of the quality of their education. A qualified teaching staff, modern content of educational programs, the availability of a material and technical base and a well-thought-out organization of the educational process provide this quality. The demand for our graduates in the labour market is evidenced by the fact that more than 85% are employed within a year of graduation. We have many successful graduates, we are very proud of all of them. I will not list any by name, I will only note that they work in the presidential administration, the deputy corps of the Parliament, in international organizations, and in the embassies and diplomatic corps of various countries. Of course, among our former students there are many authoritative, talented teachers of foreign languages in the field of education.

OCA: If a young student enters your university. What opportunities do they open for themselves, in addition to the knowledge gained in the classroom and at lectures?

SK: The opportunity to try out research work in the form of various scientific societies and conferences, as well as the opportunity to participate in international native student exchanges and foreign internships. They are also provided with diverse cultural, sports, and leisure activities as part of their student life. The university gives students the exciting opportunity to live in university dormitories. Consultations on employment and holding career fairs, visa support for students leaving to study abroad, cultural programs for students and teachers from foreign partner universities are provided. Textbooks available to students and textbooks prepared by university teachers, monographs and collections of articles are also available.

The university is well equipped, with modern multimedia technology in use throughout. All lecture rooms are equipped with video demonstration equipment that visualizes any lesson. There are specialized language and multimedia classrooms with software, including software specifically for writers, which makes it possible to use the most modern information technologies. At the same time, we all understand that the level of a student depends not only on the services of the university, but also on their own contribution, on their motivation, diligence, and previous training.

OCA: Could you elaborate on what innovations you see developing within the university?

SK: Innovations affect every area of the university, because they are aimed at developing and implementing mechanisms that increase the real competitiveness of the university by improving the quality of all types of its activities. The main task of an innovative university is the high-quality training of innovation-oriented specialists. The training of specialists for the innovative economy requires the formation of an innovative environment of the university, including the appropriate qualifications and culture of its teachers. The University has developed and tested 4 innovative educational programs in teacher education, theory and practice of simultaneous translation and foreign philology. The basis of innovative educational programs is built on the principles of dual education as the interaction of two organizationally and legally independent spheres within the framework of officially recognized vocational training – production and higher education.

OCA: What kind of external connections are held with the business community?

SK: There is constant systematic work is going on here. For example, holding presentations of various companies at the university, carrying out research projects commissioned by companies, organizing business seminars, professional retraining and advanced training courses. We study the best domestic and foreign experiences.

For example, business or science parks are common in European countries. These are organized with the participation of local authorities based on universities premises equipped with the necessary equipment, which are rented to start-up companies. At the same time, universities provide these companies with access to their information resources, means of communication, and allow the involvement of faculty and students. These services cannot be classified as educational, but they provide universities with additional income, which is used to develop and improve the quality of educational services.

OCA: What do you see as the main aim and outcome of any university? Perhaps its graduates? Competitiveness? Prestige? Demand?

SK: The product of the university is its educational programs. An educational program is a complex of educational and related products and services aimed at changing the educational level and professional training of the consumer and provide them with the appropriate resources of an educational organization. Choosing a particular university, the student, in fact, chooses their educational program. The increase in education or qualification that a student hopes to gain because of mastering it is a measure of the quality of an educational program, so the programs of certain universities are more popular with consumers than other programs, even if the result is a standard certificate or diploma. The educational program is the product with which the university enters the market. After all, the university offers its educational programs both to their direct consumers – students and listeners, and indirectly, through its graduates, to the labour market. Thus, the consumers of educational services of the university include, on the one hand, students, and on the other hand, companies and organizations whose staffing situation the university seeks to satisfy.

OCA: Summing up our conversation, what therefore is the main mission of Ablai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages?

SK: The university carries out its activities in the interests of increasing the educational and intellectual potential of the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The university is the country’s leader for innovative development of the foreign language education system. It has an effective system of strategic management and trains highly educated, competitive, intelligent professionals in accordance with international educational standards.

We co-operate with a number of foreign universities within the framework of bilateral agreements. More than 300 people from among doctoral students, undergraduates and postgraduates are sent to foreign universities annually. The exchange of students is carried out especially intensively with the universities of South Korea, Germany, Russia, the Czech Republic, China and Malaysia. Student mobility to other universities might be manifested from 1 semester to 1 academic year, as well as summer schools, including education during the summer holidays. Foreign students also have the opportunity to study at the university on an ongoing basis, within the framework of summer schools, to study Kazakh and Russian languages at the preparatory department of the university. As part of the program to attract foreign scientists, the university invites professors from other countries to give lectures and conduct scientific consultations on doctoral and master’s theses.
The mission of the university is a contribution to the common task of forming a highly intellectual nation and providing the country with well-trained personnel. We are working hard through setting serious and ambitious goals.

TAJIKISTAN – AN ANCIENT HISTORY AND BRIGHT FUTURE

TAJIKISTAN – AN ANCIENT HISTORY AND BRIGHT FUTURE

Tajikistan has a long and rich history that dates back as early as the sixth century B.C. As a nation descended from Bactria and Sogdiana, its ancient culture and traditions set the groundwork for both ancient and modern civilization.

Tajikistan marked the 32nd anniversary of its independence this year. Notwithstanding Tajikistan’s young age, its colourful history, language, culture, literature and customs have contributed significantly to the development of ancient civilization in Central Asia and beyond.
During the sixth to fourth centuries B.C., the territory of modern Tajikistan was inhabited by Eastern Iranian peoples, and Bactria and Sogdiana were the most ancient states within the Achaemenid Empire. At the end of the ninth century, the first Tajik state, known as the Samanid state, was formed independently from the Baghdad Caliphate. These were the brightest times and the period of highest prosperity for the Tajik people.

Today, Tajikistan is a sovereign, democratic, legal, secular, unitary state with a presidential form of governance. Since gaining its independence, Tajikistan has pursued policies aimed at preserving and enhancing state sovereignty, maintaining national security, and fostering friendships, collaboration, and trust with other nations of the globe based on shared interests.

The “Open Doors” policy and the multi-vector strategy are the cornerstones of Tajikistan’s foreign policy. The country’s President, H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, stated in a recent speech to parliament that “the main principle of the Open-Doors policy, which we adhere to and implement in our foreign policy, is aimed at establishing and developing relations of friendship, good neighbourliness, partnership, and fruitful cooperation with foreign countries, international and regional organisations, and international financial structures.”

Tajikistan is recognized by 192 countries of the world, and diplomatic relations have been established with more than 180 countries. Furthermore, the country is a full member of major international and regional organizations and is a party to more than 170 international and regional treaties.

With a population of over 10 million, the country shows tremendous potential in a variety of sectors, from energy and industry to tourism and transportation as well as many other areas of the economy. Boasting a 7.5% GDP growth rate for 2022, a stable political atmosphere, advantageous geo-strategic location, business-friendly environment, a population largely comprised of individuals under 35, and plentiful natural resources, Tajikistan is set to experience ongoing economic success in partnership with its European counterparts.

Bearing in mind its unique historical background, its mountainous surroundings, glaciers and thousands of rivers, the government is devoted to long-term sustainable tourism development. The nation takes great pleasure in being a premier destination for world-class adventure and eco-tourism. Opportunities for hiking and mountaineering are plentiful and exciting. The importance of community-based tourism initiatives cannot be overstated, since they make it possible to grow tourism in rural regions in a way that incorporates and benefits locals.

The government is improving Tajikistan’s tourism appeal by giving infrastructure projects a higher priority, assuring services for human capital and making investments in the private sector.

There are over a thousand hotels in Tajikistan that cater to both domestic and international tourists as well as inhabitants of the country. Additionally, the country’s cultural and recreational parks and its vibrant fountains have developed into gathering spots for locals and tourists. Today, visitors to Tajikistan delight in the country’s sights, including its quaint and orderly streets, floral gardens built in a modern and traditional style, and, of course, the excellent Tajik hospitality.

The culture of the Tajik people goes back to antiquity. Most traditions and rituals that are being practised now and are still incorporated into Tajik culture have been preserved. Thanks to its lengthy history, Tajikistan has a lot to offer. Ancient Panjikent is arguably the most fascinating from a sightseeing perspective. Constructions for homes and cults, astounding murals, and exquisite sculptures from the seventh and eighth centuries A.D. have all been uncovered by archaeologists.

Tajikistan’s stunning scenery and lofty mountains are a captivating mosaic of the beauties of nature. The Fann Mountains, with their pristine lakes and lush valleys, offer a surreal escape into untouched wilderness. The Badakhshan Mountains, known as the “Roof of the World,” dominate the horizon with their imposing peaks and ancient glaciers.
Glaciers are the main source of drinking water in Central Asia, 60% of which form in Tajikistan’s mountains. Since more than 13,000 of Tajikistan’s glaciers have completely melted as a result of global warming up to this point, Tajikistan is committed to taking the necessary actions to draw attention from the international community to the preservation of glaciers.

In this regard, the global community has recognized the President of Tajikistan H.E. Mr Emomali Rahmon as the initiator of five great undertakings: «International Year of Fresh Water» (2003), International Decade for Action «Water for Life» (2005-2015), «The International Year of Water Cooperation» (2013) International Decade for Action «Water for Sustainable Development» (2018-2028), International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (2025) and the proclamation of 21 March as World Day for Glaciers’.

Since Tajikistan has a youthful population (more than 70% of the population is under 35), the government has made delivering quality education a top priority. Tajikistan is using education as a driver for its growth. The nation has achieved outstanding success in recent years in raising the standard of education, utilising it to propel socioeconomic development, and increasing access to school with a primary focus on females, particularly those from rural regions.

Within 32 years of Independence, Tajikistan has built and commissioned 3,430 new educational institutions accommodating nearly 1.5 million students. This is compared to just 3,229 during the 70 years prior to independence.

Through the implementation of effective social and economic reforms, taking a multi-faceted approach, and engaging in global activities to bolster international security and stability, Tajikistan and its people will be able to make their nation more prosperous and advanced in the foreseeable future.

by Gareth Stamp,
Chairman of Eurasian Creative Guild (London)

OCA #49 People edition Interview with MARAT FAIZULLIN

OCA #49 People edition Interview with MARAT FAIZULLIN

TREAT THEIR CULTURES CAREFULLY

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work
Marat Faizullin: I’m a composer, musician, performer, producer and publisher. Now I live in Bashkortostan, but have worked in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg for a long time. Symphony and chamber music, theatrical performances, cinema, ethnic and electronic music, live performances and studio recordings. You can hear my works in Russia, Germany, Spain and the USA. I’m producing my music project Marat Tauras, and also musicians from different regions in Russia (from Tuva to Kalmykia) under my label Aera records, Afarin records and Cinemusic records. I work with Café De Anatolia, the leading global record label of modern ethnic music.


Cinema is one of my favourite fields of activity. I wrote my first music for a film in 1999. Since then I have written music for more than 150 movies, won a few international and local film awards for the best music. One of my latest works is the music for children’s feature film “Chizhik-Pyzhik comes back” which was released on August 31, 2023. In addition to film music I’m producing films and music videos.

A big project I’m working on now is the autumn premiere of “Arctic Landscapes”. It’s the first symphonic work in the world that was made aboard an icebreaker. I wrote it during the Marine Integrated Arctic expedition. The project is multimedia and includes musical performance as well as video content that make an effect of being live in the Arctic spaces. Now we are preparing a photo exhibition that will be open before the “Arctic Landscapes” premiere. Besides, I’ve already published “Arctic Surrealist’s Diary” which I’ve been writing during the expedition where I describe what happens with the creative person in the extreme weather conditions and in the confined space of a ship.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?
MF: Twenty years ago I saw a huge perspective in ethnic music and decided to learn to play folk instruments: Turkic, Russian, Asian. The same time I decided to spend most of my time working on academic music, and my spare time on ethnics. I have had academic music education, I’ve learned a lot and I continue studying folk music. It’s an endless important gold mine of ancestral knowledge where all codes of our future lay.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2022-2023?
MF: In November 2022 I held a big concert dedicated to the 25th anniversary of my creative activity where I performed the best works. In 2023 I launched a very prospective IT-project “Sounds.Music”. It’s a program for delivery of the music to video and audio editor programs by my own design. And recently I won a prestigious award as the best composer at the Film Awards “Golden plate”.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?
MF: Slavic and Turkic blood are mixed in me. According to the family legend, my paternal kind comes from one of the Gingiz Khan’s warlords when his army reached the foothills of the Ural Mountains. My maternal ancestors moved to the Ural region from Central Russia. Maybe that’s why a Bashkir quray sounds naturally in my soundtrack for a movie about the Russian North, and a Russian svirel in the orchestral score for a Bashkir folk melody.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?
MF: My Music video “Ufa”, where I’m a producer, composer and performer, won the Audience Award in the ECG Film Festival 2020. The same year I became a member of the Guild. And then I was recommended for an Expert Council of Cinema and now I’m taking part in its activities and Guild’s events. Cinema, as well as music, is the unique language that helps to build a cultural dialogue and convey to the audience your message.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?
MF: It’s very important to me to keep a dialogue with the audience during performances and promote the culture of my nation. I play more than fifty various instruments. I’m dreaming of the creation of the Live Music Museum where visitors could not only listen to the sound of instruments, but also try to play by themselves. The museum is going to consist of the stationary part of the exhibition and “mobile” part that we can travel to any audience with.

I practise interactive communication with listeners within my philharmonic project “Tales About Mother”. More than ten folk musical instruments are on the stage and after the performance anyone who wants can try to play these instruments. It always delights visitors, especially children. Seeing these emotions I’ve got an idea to create the Live Music Museum on a permanent basis. And also, I plan to actualise Slavic and Turkic ethnics in the years ahead.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?
MF: I’d like to wish all members of the Eurasian Creative Guild and all readers of the OCA Magazine to remember their roots, treat their cultures carefully and, of course, succeed in all endeavours!

CONCEPT OF HUMANITY’SSURVIVAL STRATEGYIN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

CONCEPT OF HUMANITY’S SURVIVAL STRATEGY

IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

Professors O.Sabden and A.Ashirov have as part of their ‘Concept of Humanity’s Survival Strategy in the Third Millennium’ developed a concept for building a new integral innovative society with a spiritual and technological component. In order to implement the proposed theory, a new paradigm of managing the social system based on the “five spirals” is recommended, through collaboration of: the state, science, business, needs of society and information support for the economies of countries. In this article they examine one aspect of human survival – food production.

The International Food and Agriculture Organization FAO (UN) records the annual “disappearance” of 7 million hectares of arable land. A significant reduction in sown areas will certainly exacerbate the shortage of food products. According to the UN, in order to meet the population’s growing needs in agricultural products, it is necessary to additionally involve from 100 to 200 million hectares of arable land around the world in circulation. At the same time, as statistics show, there is a continuous process of reducing the volume of agricultural production in the available areas.

In order to save millions of people from hunger, new scientific approaches and solutions are fundamentally needed, taking into account the latest achievements of fundamental science and the emergence of new energy and environmental problems. In search of truth, and whilst taking the unity, integrity and interconnection of all objects of the Universe into account, we have established a new pattern of enhancing the bio-resonant activity of agricultural crops. The novelty of this pattern is confirmed by the patent of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s “Method of processing seed and planting material” (No. 34958, dated March 19th, 2021), and the diploma of scientific discovery, “Regularity of Bio-resonant Activation of Seeds of Agricultural Crops” (No. 272/14.12.2004/, Ashirov A.M. and others) issued by the International Association of Authors of Scientific Discoveries and Inventions (Moscow).
The essence of the pattern is as follows: A previously unknown pattern of enhancing the bioresonance activation of seeds of agricultural crops was experimentally established, which consists in the fact that during electromagnetic treatment of seeds conducted with a frequency that is a multiple of their biorhythms, during periods of minimum values of gravitational forces and maximum intensity of cosmic radiation, the degree of bio-resonance activation of plant seeds increases, leading to the increased speed of germination, productivity, improved quality and other productivity indicators.

Testing the results of these scientific studies in the agricultural fields of Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Germany, Canada, with different climatic conditions and in risky farming areas, showed that the growth of quality indicators, for example, for wheat (gluten 2-8 units, vitreousness 10- 20 units, Nature 50-80 units on average); obtaining high yields from 20 to 50%, compared with the control ones, without significant material and energy costs. The technology is highly industrialised – large batches of seeds are processed in the shortest possible time, designed for huge sown areas around the world.

In terms of the significance of these scientific results, our technology has a huge economic effect, for example, only in the Akmola region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on 40 thousand hectares of wheat, the economic effect (increase) amounted to 1.2 million US dollars. A typical method for determining the seasonal-temporal schedules of pre-sowing seed treatment are methods of field experience and phenological observations, etc.

For the first time in the world, a revolutionary scientific discovery has been made to increase the yield of any crop by 25-50% without the use of chemicals. The environmentally friendly technology called “Bio-resonance activation of seed and planting material of various agricultural crops” has the status of a world scientific discovery. For the first time in the world, the technology of geophysical space parameters was used in agriculture. The novelty of the technology is the synchronisation of geomagnetic field oscillations at a specific point on the earth, at a specific local time, with radiation brought in from near and far space.

Over the 30-year history of the introduction of this technology in 10 countries of the world (5 CIS countries, as well as Turkey, Germany, Canada, Poland and Lithuania), the authors have confirmed the high accuracy on 17 crops, the adaptability, uniqueness and versatility of the technology in more than a hundred farms and scientific institutions in many countries. As an example, we give the development of corn biomass, the development of root hairs (Fig. 1), the final product (cobs) (Fig. 2) in the control and experimental plots.

In the case of large-scale application of technology, it is able to solve the world problem of food security.

A monograph with the participation of one of the authors, O. Sabden, was presented in 2016, in London, at the University of Cambridge and was approved. According to Forbes magazine (February 2017), A. Ashirov’s project was included in the category of a “fantastic dozen” of innovative projects. Also, the project was included in the UN Roadmap (2022-2030) in order to ensure global food security of the world. The scientific developments of the authors contained in these books are a contribution to the development of a new era of civilization and food supply for millions of people in the world.

Brief information about the authors:

Orazaly Sabden was born on May 20th, 1947, in Kazakhstan. He is a Doctor of Economic Sciences, a Professor, an Academician of the NIA RK, MIA, RANS, MAGI, and the Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of science and technology. He is a four time Member of the Parliament of the country, the President of the Union of Scientists of Kazakhstan, the Chief Researcher of the Institute of Economics of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. For Orazaly Sabden’s principled democratic positions, various mechanisms were systematically used by the power structure to infringe on his rights and freedom of speech.

He is the author of more than 800 scientific publications, including 97 monographs and textbooks. He is a Champion of Kazakhstan in freestyle wrestling and the master of sports of the USSR.

Abdumalik Ashirov was born on March 1st, 1944, in Tashkent. He is a Doctor of Technical Sciences, a Professor, the Head of the Research Laboratory of the South Kazakhstan State Pedagogical Institute. The author of the scientific discovery number 272, dated December 24th, 2004, and more than 50 patents and copyright certificates for inventions, as well as more than 260 scientific articles, 15 monographs and textbooks.

Publications:
O.Sabden., A.Ashirov. “Concept for Strategy of Mankind’s Survival in the 21st and Future Centuries and Food Security”, Cambridge International Press, 168 p. 2016.
O.Sabden. “ABAI, Future of Kazakhstan and World Civilization”, Hertfordshire Press, London, 324 p. 2018.
O.Sabden. “World, Turkic Civilization, Kazakhstan and Concept of the Future”, Service Press, Almaty, 596 р. 2021.

OCA #49 People edition Interview with GALINA SHEPELEVA

OCA #49 People edition Interview with GALINA SHEPELEVA

TURNING ONE’S INHERENT VALUE INTO A PRECIOUS THING

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work
Galina Shepeleva: My name is Galina Shepeleva, I was born 10.09.1955 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always painted, starting in children’s art school. After the end of my main working activity, I had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study antique painting and frescoes in the birthplace of the great Renaissance for 4 years in the ART Accademia AD’A in Florence, Italy.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?
GS: The city of Florence is steeped in the history of this era and its masterpieces, which left a fascinating impression on me. This training basically determined my path in creativity. The great Botticelli, Raphael, Andrea di Sardi, Tiepolo were my spiritual teachers, and in practice, it’s an academy professor, signora Sonia De Francesitti.

Actually applying the studied technique of antique painting, I have painted a “Chastity matter” picture. Canvas, oil 120×100 sm. Unfortunately, the word “chastity” is rarely used nowadays, and some people don’t know what it means at all… Once the Queen Maria Theresa of Austria even established an innocence commission to fight against immoral conduct. But the chastity,- is not only the body (in the painting it is marked by barbed wire around the hips of women), – it is also the head, and the way of thinking, and the behaviour of a person, and his communication with colleagues at work, at home, with parents, friends, children. This is allegiancy, devotion and honesty in everything and with everyone in his life and in the life of a country! Chastity, keeping oneself in oneself…, and turning one’s inherent value into a precious thing. In a deep philosophical sense: whether your innocence is your precious thing? In any way, everyone will have a different answer to that question. For me personally, this is a very vital, important topic, and this picture is in fact my peculiar Message to the World!

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2022-2023?
GS: Both 2022 and 2023 have been rich in creative experiences for me. In March 2022 participation in the exhibition “World Art Dubai 2022”. Thanks to my curator Lidia Drozdova I take part in exhibitions and art spaces. “Beautiful Image of Woman” Exhibition timed to March 8, 2023. In May-June online Golden Time Talent London and then participation in the same festival in London in July. Participation in the Republican Kazakhstan exhibition “Shining light on others, burning myself” about the work of healthcare professionals during the pandemic.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?
GS: For me, Art is the most democratic form of communication there is. It can make you dream, think, it can give you feelings of bitterness or happiness, wonder and admiration, hope for the realisation of dreams…. Art helps to get better, as they say, a better version of ourselves… Perhaps this is what makes my creativity and work valuable and unique. I try to make every painting I do say something.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?
GS: An amazing experience for me was joining the Eurasian Creative Guild, London. By acceding the Guild as an Ambassador, I feel myself as if in a new, higher quality with expanded boundaries and horizons, including events starting with the acquaintance with a wonderful person, vice chairman of Guild Marat Akhmedjanov.

One had already taken place during my stay in London in July, organised by Genadiy Gorovoy, poet and ambassador of Guild in London, where I presented two of my paintings “Chastity” and “Peonies”. This meeting has given me a chance to get to know so interesting, passionate, versatile people who came to this meeting. I hope to have further contact with them in the future.
OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?
GS: My motivation is love for life and everything that surrounds me! And the goal is always the same: I invite the viewer to immerse themselves and spend time with their imagination.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?
GS: To the members of the guild and all creative people I wish health! physical, creative, spiritual… to have a bright head and intentions, success in our difficult work and more positive!

PROMOTING RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AND HARMONY IN UZBEKISTAN

PROMOTING RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AND HARMONY IN UZBEKISTAN

The government’s commitment to democratic ideals and its choice of a secular path of development have made it possible to create equal conditions for the activity of all religions in Uzbekistan.

Work in the field of religion is carried out by state bodies and civil society institutions and is aimed at guaranteeing citizens the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of conscience and at strengthening religious pluralism, tolerance and inter-religious dialogue.

One of the significant results of this work is considered to be the adoption by the UN General Assembly in December 2018 of a special resolution on “Education and Religious Tolerance”, which was a practical implementation of the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, presented at the 72nd session of the UN GA. The main objective of the proposed resolution is to “ensure universal access to education and eliminate illiteracy and ignorance”.

Not only was the resolution unanimously supported by all United Nations Member States but co-sponsored by more than 50 countries. This demonstrates the international community’s recognition of the timeliness of the Uzbek Leader’s initiative.

The resolution stresses the importance of promoting peace, human rights, tolerance and friendship, and welcomes all international, regional and national initiatives aimed at promoting interreligious, intercultural and interfaith harmony and combating discrimination.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has undergone significant changes and has implemented large-scale reforms in the religious and educational spheres.

Mechanisms have been established in Uzbekistan to revive national and religious values and to study the rich scientific and spiritual heritage of its great ancestors. To this end, the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan has been established, which specialises in training qualified personnel in the interpretation of the Qur’an, Islamic law, religious dogma and hadith.

In addition, the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and the Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi and Imam Maturidi International Research Centres have been established. The Mir Arab Higher Madrasa in Bukhara and the School of Hadith Studies in Samarkand have become operational. The “Waqf” charitable public foundation has been set up to finance the reconstruction of mosques and places of pilgrimage. A department for work with women has been established within the Committee for Religious Affairs.

Strong legal guarantees for freedom of conscience and religion have also been established in Uzbekistan. The Constitution includes a provision on freedom of religion for all, although work is continuing to improve and liberalise national legislation. In particular, a new Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations has been adopted, which helps to ensure the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of conscience and religion.

The procedure for registering religious organisations has been simplified. There are 2,350 religious organisations legally operating in the country, representing 16 denominations. In addition to Muslim organisations, there are 179 Christian organisations, 8 Jewish communities, 7 Bahai communities, a Hare Krishna society, a Buddhist temple and an interconfessional Bible society. Twenty-three non-Islamic organisations have recently been registered in Uzbekistan.

Religious organisations, together with other voluntary organisations, are actively involved in spiritual and educational work and make a significant contribution to improving the spirituality of society and instilling in young people strong convictions based on patriotism and inter-religious and inter-ethnic tolerance. Importantly, representatives of 138 national and ethnic groups practising Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and other religions work on equal terms.

Believers are free to worship in mosques, churches and synagogues, they can fast, make pilgrimages and celebrate all religious holidays. They have the right to own land and publish literature.

Uzbekistan is currently implementing a number of measures to protect the population from the negative influence of extremist ideology. An important step in this direction has been the use of amnesty laws. In particular, since 2017, 22 decrees of the President of Uzbekistan have been adopted on pardoning persons who have committed crimes.

Five “Mercy” humanitarian operations were successfully carried out between 2019-2021, during which more than 500 citizens of the Republic, mostly women and children, were returned to their homeland from conflict zones in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

To further facilitate their early reintegration and rehabilitation, the government has implemented a series of measures to provide medical, psychological, material and moral support. Access to education and other social programmes has been provided, including through housing and employment.

The Uzbek authorities are paying particular attention to establishing a constructive dialogue with international organisations and experts in the field of religion. During the visits to Uzbekistan by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein (May 2017) and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier (April 2018), the country’s reforms were highly praised.

In December 2020, the US State Department removed Uzbekistan from the so-called “special watch list” on ensuring religious freedom. This was after Uzbekistan was removed from the list of “countries of particular concern” in 2018 due to the significant improvement of the situation in the sphere of ensuring religious freedoms. The republic had been on this “black list” for 12 years, since 2006.

One of the main priorities in reforming society to ensure inter-ethnic harmony and religious tolerance is to ensure and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens and their equality before the law, irrespective of race, sex, ethnicity, language, social origin, beliefs, religion or personal or social status. Uzbekistan consistently and rigorously fulfils its international obligations in the area of religious freedom under international human rights treaties. Uzbekistan has now acceded to more than 70 core international human rights instruments. Accession to these instruments has contributed to the establishment of an effective human rights protection system in Uzbekistan. Importantly, Uzbekistan’s policy on religion, aimed at strengthening inter-faith dialogue and religious tolerance in society, is an important factor for stability and security.

In conclusion, it is important to stress that the far-reaching reforms underway in the country are a vivid confirmation of the President’s consistent pursuit of the principle of “All in the name of man, for the sake of his future”.

by Malikakhon Tursunova, PhD, Research Fellow
at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.

OCA #49 People edition Interview with GULNARA MAKHMUDOVA

OCA #49 People edition Interview with GULNARA MAKHMUDOVA

WE ARE FOR PEACE!

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity/work.
Gulnara Makhmudova: Good afternoon. My name is Gulnara Mahmudova, I am a teacher-psychologist. In 1999 I founded the “First” school, grades 0 to 6, in the city of Semey, and in 2018, a branch of the “First” school for teaching preschool children in Almaty (Kazakhstan). Being a teacher has been my dream since childhood. For children it’s a huge world, open to freedom of creativity. From the very beginning the first methodological theme (till 2004) of the “First” school was the theme of studying successful teaching methods of foreign schools. When teaching English, close attention was paid to the development of communicative abilities of bilingual education, communication skills as a whole and applied use of the English language.

The success of “First” school students allows the child to adapt to a multicultural environment. Our work successes became attractive for parents when choosing a school. Coming to Kazakhstan, foreign parents enrol their children of preschool age in our school, where they, communicating with their peers, learn the Kazakh language, and get acquainted with the culture of the peoples of the world.

At the school children learn the national cuisine of various countries of the world, listen to the national anthem of the country whose cuisine is represented, and national musical compositions are played from the dining room all day long.

At the end of each week, the children have a disco, and in the evening the school teachers perform famous works on the dombra. During creative classes, students listen to world classical music from operas and ballets by Giuseppe Verdi, Gioacchino Rossini, Giacomo Puccini, Beethoven and other famous composers – this is how the children are introduced to high culture when the songs and arias are performed by the teachers themselves, who have a specialty in “classical performance (opera singing).”

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?
GM: The first person who taught me about choosing a profession was my mother. She, being a financier, studied mathematics and other subjects with neighbouring children with sincere pleasure. Mother was always interested in the success of children, and paid great attention to their studies.

Today I respectfully remember the names of my teachers not only in school, but also in life: the teacher of the drama circle, Igor Konstantinovich, was able to inspire us to talentedly play the roles of characters in performances. And my swimming coach is Tatyana, she helped develop the desire for a goal in me, its successful achievement and daily work. Working as a teacher, I devote a lot of time to reading educational literature. I enjoy teaching practice.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2022-2023?
GM: Every year is interesting and eventful. Our achievements benefit the entire society by educating and informing worthy citizens of a creative future society. And this dream of mine came true!

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?
GM: There is one uniqueness of our methodology in the work of a school with young children: the system for implementing the success of education is accompanied not only by vocal praise, but also by a clear digital designation (plus, minus, percentage, rating) of all the moments of mastering the educational material by our young student: each item or exercise of each topic, each word or example, each task is marked with a plus or minus in a special journal, and transferred to a computer accounting system (CSU). The real, or objective, assessment is added up for a week, a month, a quarter and a year in the form of a graphic system: the direction of the diagram and the peak of the height in the coordinate system give a clear idea in which area of knowledge the student will be successful!

And, what is especially important, the school derives interesting patterns of the quality of a child’s knowledge and the influence of his genetic predisposition to success – and this, in turn, allows our graduate to enter a secondary school of any subject area and an increased requirement for knowledge!

I consider it especially valuable that our work allows us to form a civil position in young children, the concept of humanity, tolerance, love for the culture of the peoples of the world and for the Motherland – Kazakhstan.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?
GM: My goal is the personal happiness of people close to me. I wish my daughter happiness and all graduates to live their life trying to do good deeds so that there is world peace! My motivation? But isn’t the desire to live in a prosperous world already motivation within itself?

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?
GM: I wish all novice creative people all over the planet to meet sincerely kind people who will share correct and wise ideas and instructions on the formation of a creative environment, such as, for example, in the Eurasian Creative Guild. I wish the Guild successful projects, loyal members in its ranks, achievement of the most humane goal, prosperity, peaceful days, and inner HAPPINESS!

OCA# Education edition Welcome Word

OCA# Education edition

Welcome Word

“Education is what remains once what you have learned at school has been forgotten”

This famous saying (which has a multitude of written forms) has been attributed to many people over time from Albert Einstein to B.F. Skinner.

What is education, therefore? It sounds so simple and obvious a question and answer. After all, almost everybody has gone through some form of formal education for a period of their childhood. But let’s step back for a moment and consider the question. I find it rather more complex than it first seems.

Is it just the collection of school buildings, teachers and classmates that we might ruminate on and say things like, “it was harder in my day” at bland dinner parties and social gatherings? Is it about exams and grades and certificates that will get you a good job? For many that appears to be the prime goal of education – after all if you were taught Latin at school (which is now a very dead language), is your knowledge restricted to being better able to formulate an answer to the Times Cryptic Crossword on a lazy Sunday morning?

As a parent I often wonder how best to balance the struggle between the goals of formal education with the goals of raising healthy, motivated children who grow to become responsible and contributing members of families and society. Academic skills are important but so too is the educational journey from kindergarten through to college and university. It is a time when young people develop many interconnected abilities and relationships that transcend what is learned in the classroom. These experiences are not ones that can be formally taught.

Swiss developmental psychologist, Jean Piaget, believes that “The principle goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.” Nelson Mandela, former South African president, would often say that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” While psychologist John Dewey believed that “education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

This last quote resonates with me quite a lot. If you think about it our life experiences are our education, formal or otherwise. We learn as we go through life, sometimes we have to make mistakes or fail to reach our objectives and improve ourselves such that we develop and reach our true potential. And, as many authors from Central Asian countries note in this issue, as the world changes it becomes extremely hard to predict how to educate our children of today for the jobs of tomorrow. What institutions can do, however, is inspire students to be curious, explore topics from many different angles, understand both history and culture at home and abroad and be resilient in the face of the challenges that life will throw at us. Perhaps this is the secret to a good “education”.

Enjoy the issue!

Nick Rowan
Editor-in-Chief
Open Central Asia Magazine

On the UN Day of Nuclear Disarmament Assessing the Impact of January 2022 Unrest on Kazakhstan’s Economy, Politics and Social Order.

On the UN Day of Nuclear Disarmament Assessing the Impact of January 2022 Unrest on Kazakhstan’s Economy, Politics and Social Order.

In January 2022, Kazakhstan experienced a wave of protests and unrest that reverberated throughout the country. This significant event had far-reaching consequences, impacting the economy, politics and social order of Kazakhstan. This article aims to delve into the aftermath of the unrest and explore how it affected the nation’s economic and political landscape and societal fabric.

The January 2022 unrest dealt a severe blow to Kazakhstan’s economy, which heavily relies on natural resources, particularly oil and gas. The protests disrupted oil production and transportation, leading to a decline in export revenues. The resulting economic slowdown, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the situation, created an atmosphere of investor unease, leading to capital flight and a decrease in foreign direct investment.

Furthermore, the unrest highlighted underlying issues such as corruption, economic inequality, and lack of employment opportunities, which were key grievances of the protesters. These concerns further eroded investor confidence and hindered economic growth.

To address the economic challenges, the Kazakh government had to implement various measures. It embarked on economic diversification efforts, aiming to reduce dependence on oil and gas by promoting sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Initiatives were launched to attract foreign investment and improve the business climate, emphasizing transparency and anti-corruption measures.

The social fabric of Kazakhstan also experienced significant repercussions in the wake of the unrest. The protests, initially sparked by socioeconomic grievances, escalated into clashes between security forces and demonstrators. The use of force by authorities led to casualties and raised concerns about human rights violations.

The unrest highlighted underlying social tensions within the country, including political discontent, inequality, and a lack of freedom of expression. It also exposed regional and ethnic fault lines, as Kazakhstan is home to a diverse population. These divisions, exacerbated by the unrest, posed a challenge to social cohesion and stability.

In response, the Kazakh government initiated efforts to address these issues and promote reconciliation. Measures were taken to improve governance, strengthen the rule of law, and enhance respect for human rights. Initiatives were launched to foster dialogue between different segments of society and promote inclusivity, aiming to heal the societal rifts that had been exposed.

On the social front, the unrest brought to the forefront underlying grievances and divisions within Kazakh society. The government recognized the need to address these concerns by promoting inclusivity, strengthening governance, and fostering dialogue. Rebuilding social cohesion and trust emerged as essential components of the country’s path towards stability and progress.

The January 2022 unrest in Kazakhstan began as protests against a rise in fuel prices. The protests quickly turned violent and spread to some major cities in the country. The government responded by declaring a state of emergency and calling in troops from the CSTO. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a military alliance of six post-Soviet states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. The CSTO was founded in 1992 and has been used to deploy troops to member states on a number of occasions, including in Kazakhstan in January 2022. The CSTO deployed troops to Kazakhstan on January 5, 2022. The troops were tasked with restoring order and protecting critical infrastructure. The CSTO troops remained in Kazakhstan for two weeks, and they played a key role in quelling the unrest. The CSTO withdrew its troops from Kazakhstan on January 19, 2022. The withdrawal was announced by CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas, who said that the mission had been accomplished. The deployment of CSTO troops to Kazakhstan was controversial. Some critics argued that the deployment was unnecessary and that it was a sign of Russian imperialism. Others argued that the deployment was necessary to restore order and protect Kazakhstan from foreign interference. The CSTO’s deployment to Kazakhstan has had a significant impact on the organization. The deployment has shown that the CSTO is willing to use force to protect its members, and it has also raised concerns about the organization’s future role in the region. Any expected dividends for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine were not realised when Kazakhstan refused all requests from Russia a mere two months later. Much to Russian consternation Kazakhstan vigorously supports the territorial integrity of nations and even sent aid to Ukraine. Much like so many times in its history the Kazakh leadership chooses what is in its own interest in the long term. Even today as we mark the UN International Day against Nuclear Tests which was unanimously adopted as Resolution 64/35 we are reminded from the UN’s own website that, ‘the resolution calls for increasing awareness and education “about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.” The resolution was initiated by the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with a large number of sponsors and cosponsors with a view to commemorate the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test site on 29 August 1991. The Day is meant to galvanize the United Nations, Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth networks and the media to inform, educate and advocate the necessity of banning nuclear weapon tests as a valuable step towards achieving a safer world.’

As Kazakhstan continues to navigate the rapidly changing world in which we all live it faces challenges but also opportunities for transformative change. The government’s commitment to economic diversification, social reform, and good governance will be instrumental in shaping a more resilient and inclusive future for the nation.

The period between 2022 and 2023 witnessed significant electoral events in Kazakhstan, shaping the country’s political landscape and democratic process. These elections brought forth a range of changes, including the election of a new President and members of Parliament. Let’s take a closer look at the key elections held during this time.

In June 2022, Kazakhstan held its presidential election, which marked a transition of power from the First President Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, who had served as the country’s President since its independence in 1991 and perhaps the most significant personality shaping the new nation state and securing its place in the world as a nation amongst equals. His resignation in 2019 was a surprise to almost all, and the subsequent election was highly anticipated, as it would determine a new leader for the first time in over three decades.

Several candidates ran in the election, representing various political parties and movements. However, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who had been acting as interim President following Nazarbayev’s resignation in 2019, emerged as the clear frontrunner. Tokayev, supported by the ruling Nur Otan party, secured a significant majority of the votes and was elected as the President of Kazakhstan.

Following the presidential election, Kazakhstan held parliamentary elections in January 2023. These elections aimed to determine the composition of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Parliament. The Mazhilis consists of 107 members, 98 of whom are elected through a party-list proportional representation system, and the remaining nine are appointed by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, representing ethnic minorities.

Multiple political parties participated in the parliamentary elections, including the ruling Nur Otan party, which has historically dominated Kazakh politics. Other parties such as Ak Zhol Democratic Party, People’s Party of Kazakhstan, and Auyl Social Democratic Party also contested the elections. The campaign period witnessed lively debates and discussions on various issues, including economic development, social reforms, and political transparency.

The results of the parliamentary elections showcased a continued majority for Nur Otan, which secured the highest number of seats in the Mazhilis. However, several other parties managed to secure representation, allowing for a more diverse and pluralistic legislature. This outcome signals a growing trend towards greater political competition and a broader representation of voices within Kazakhstan’s political landscape.

The Kazakh elections held in 2022 and 2023 reflect and ongoing and gradual transition in the country’s political sphere. The presidential election marked the first transfer of power since independence, demonstrating the country’s commitment to democratic processes. The parliamentary elections showcased a growing pluralism, with a more diverse representation in the legislature.

These elections provided an opportunity for political parties to articulate their visions for the future and engage in healthy democratic competition. They also served as a means for the population to express their aspirations and expectations, contributing to the legitimacy of the government and political institutions.

Moving forward, Kazakhstan faces the challenge of consolidating democratic processes, ensuring the inclusion of diverse voices, and addressing socio-economic issues to foster stability and progress. The government’s commitment to enhancing transparency, rule of law, and respect for human rights will play a crucial role in shaping the future trajectory of the country’s democratic development.

Overall, whilst the Kazakh elections held in 2022 and 2023 marked important milestones in the country’s political evolution, illustrating the nation’s efforts to foster democratic governance and political participation it is always the economy which determines the ultimate well-being of a nation.

The performance of the Kazakh economy is influenced by various factors, including global economic conditions, commodity prices, government policies, and domestic and international investments. Kazakhstan’s economy is highly dependent on natural resources, particularly oil, gas, and minerals. Therefore, fluctuations in commodity prices on the international market can have a significant impact on its economic performance.

In recent years, Kazakhstan has been working towards economic diversification, aiming to reduce its reliance on natural resources and promote sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. These efforts have been driven by initiatives such as the Nurly Zhol infrastructure development program and the Digital Kazakhstan program, which aim to stimulate economic growth and foster innovation.

Additionally, Kazakhstan has sought to attract foreign direct investment through business-friendly policies, economic reforms, and the establishment of special economic zones. This investment plays a crucial role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering technological advancement.

The Kazakh economy is performing relatively well in 2022-2023, despite the ongoing global economic slowdown. Real GDP growth is forecast to reach 3.5% in 2023, up from 3.1% in 2022. The economy is being supported by strong commodity prices, particularly oil and gas, which account for about 60% of export earnings. Inflation is expected to remain high, at around 10%, but this is expected to ease in the second half of the year.

The Kazakh government is taking steps to address the challenges facing the economy, including diversifying the economy away from reliance on commodities, improving the investment climate, and reducing poverty. However, there are a number of risks to the outlook, including the ongoing global economic slowdown, the war in Ukraine, and political instability in parts of the region. As these impact on the political and social fabric of Kazakhstan there is an emerging plethora of voices adding commentary and calling for alternative approaches.

Like all countries there is much to celebrate as we assess Kazakhstan’s performance over these last few years, and of course there will always be a mix of voices who genuinely critique the status quo and others who criticise in search of a utopia of perfection. The Kazakhs themselves are much more realistic and one can witness today a nation that is assertive and forward looking, largely harmonious and everywhere engaged with the world.

Kyrgyzstan’s debt to China: yet another lever of influence?

Kyrgyzstan’s debt to China: yet another lever of influence?

BISHKEK — Stagnation of the world’s economy, decreasing international trade and growing inflation put the spotlight on the issue of returning Kyrgyzstan’s foreign debt, a large part of which is owed to China. The debt is to be repaid sooner or later, but it would make the country sacrifice either its facilities or territory. In both cases, it is a blow on the country’s sovereignty.

Historically, China has been a creditor of countries with high corruption levels, unstable political systems, and nontransparent economies. For instance, Brunei, Namibia, Congo, and Papua New Guinea all have a “hidden” debt to China — more than 10 percent of GDP. Kyrgyzstan’s foreign debt now stands at $5 billion, including $4 billion to China. For comparison, in 2008 Kyrgyzstan’s debt to China was $10 million.

Unlike international financial organizations, such as the IMF and World Bank, China gives loans to Kyrgyzstan on commercial terms that are not disclosed.

The existing debt does not prevent the Kyrgyz government from taking new loans, which leads to increasing debt burden. In Kyrgyzstan, China has financed mainly infrastructure projects, showing more interest in the water and energy sector — one of the main economic and strategic resources of the country. It is not surprising, as in today’s world access to water resources gives additional levers of influence.

A potential project in this sector is construction of the bypass Chui canal-2 and Buruldai reservoir with a total cost of about $140 million. The project’s economic feasibility, its possible environmental impact and other aspects require a comprehensive analysis. Anyway, the project’s implementation would increase the country’s debt burden and give China yet another lever of influence on Kyrgyzstan.

Such projects are not just a matter of money, debts and commitments but also social stability, given the history of relationships between local Kyrgyz population and Chinese investors (for instance, a mass brawl with stoning at Soltan-Sary deposit).

A good example of Beijing using its “soft power” is neighboring Tajikistan, 40 percent of whose $3.2 billion foreign debt belongs to China. Beijing also grants payment deferments on its loans. In exchange, Tajikistan has given thanks to China by ceding 1.1 thousand square kilometers (0.77 percent of its territory) to China in a 2011 border demarcation, supporting China at UN votes, and allowing Chinese companies develop nearly 80 percent of Tajik gold deposits.

With the above in mind, Kyrgyzstan has to think twice before taking new Chinese loans.

RIPPLES OF CHANGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

RIPPLES OF CHANGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

At the end of 2022 I travelled to Kazakhstan, as Chairman of Eurasian Creative Guild to report on the early Presidential Elections and constitutional reform called by President Tokaev. It was a showcase, multimedia affair, streamed live on TV, a modern ‘progressive’ event to show the world democracy exists in the ‘Stans’. Almost a year earlier Kyrgyzstan had undergone the same process, with a little less razzamatazz. Both countries cited earlier protests and unrest as reasons for these changes and the need for reform.

I was back in Kazakhstan again during March 2023, for local and parliamentary elections, where ‘listening to the people’ and ‘building a platform for the future’ were two new mantras. And now in April 2023 I am in Uzbekistan, where they too are holding a referendum on constitutional reform.

As I sit in a cafe drinking coffee and people watching, I am surprised that I get a text on my temporary Uzbek Sim card – few people know where I am and even fewer know my number. As I retrieve my phone from the jacket hanging on the back of my chair I realised that other peoples phones had pinged. I opened the message and watched two well dressed women showing each other their phone screens and smiling, a young man pressed delete and unimpressed returned the phone to the table. Even with my limited language skills I could see the number 30 and Aprelya Referenduma. I worked out that below was a web link presumably telling me where the polling stations were. Another example of how technology is rapidly being used in this region steeped in tradition. Whether texts or TV encourages people to vote is debatable but over the next few days I received more texts and saw more electronic billboards and flags.

This ripple effect is described by opponents of those currently in power as a means to build more power and some even see it as a return to a more dictatorial leadership, extending presidential terms and setting up systems that these currently popular leaders vowed to dismantle when they came to power. Many others describe the process as a path to more democracy, stability and accountability. Which way it plays out in each country, and even if other countries in the region follow the ripples, will only be told over time.

Politics is a hot topic and, some twelve or so years since I first visited here, at least people are talking about it. Back in the early days my first taxi rides here were suddenly silent if I asked anything vaguely political but on my last Kazakh visit it was all that people were talking about. In Uzbekistan they are a little more reserved. In some cases it turned out they were not sure what they were voting for in the referendum. With 154 statements to read, understand and agree or disagree with but with only one ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote, who could blame them!

Domestic politics is one thing but it is played out in front of the glare of foreign affairs and international diplomacy and decisions made by leaders are instantly visible. The unexpected decision by Central Asian leaders to attend the May 9th parade in Moscow is one such example – only one high-ranking guest was due to attend: Kyrgyz President, Sadyr Japarov. All of the others either changed plans or laid a trail of false narratives before attending. Either way it shows that Central Asian countries are seen as important players in the current world ‘disorder’. Both for the West and for Russian and China!

Back on the streets of Tashkent, a day after the referendum, the warm spring enables the evening cafe culture to start in earnest and the fountains are being refilled and turned on to cool the air. Even before the flags proclaiming the referendum are removed, an announcement is given that snap presidential elections have been called by President Japarov. Within the next two months another multimedia extravaganza will fill the airways: phones will beep to urge the voters to the polling stations and democracy will move forward again. Or maybe the people will start to tire and voter apathy will take over? It is hard to see the currently popular leaders losing and in the case of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan extending their terms in office by seven and fourteen years respectively should ensure the continuity at least. However, history shows us that when leaders become unpopular or out stay their welcome the stability begins to break down. In any case it seems that the ripples are travelling across the region even further and will continue to do so until calm returns to the bigger pond of Central Asian politics!

by Gareth Stamp

THE FALL OF RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA

THE FALL OF RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA

As a committed “Eurasianist”, I find it odd when pundits tell us this war between the Russians and the Ukrainians should terminate in the ruin and desolation of the former nation. After all, it may be expected, in the first approaches of the confined, or simple observer, that it is certainly impossible, since they cannot be rendered subservient to the latter’s advancement; yet, if they were to have this power, in opposition to the formalities of military science, what would become of the five post-Soviet Central Asian states of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan? This question may be sufficiently answered, by observing the historical scenes which gave employment to and inspired the genius of Rudolf Steiner with whose imagination their futures were rehearsed and foreseen.

In this arrangement, as a crypto-Steinerian aware of Cultures as organic totalities, I am struck with the present succession of international affairs, which, in the progress of history, we consider its object as tending to raise or to sink the balance of nations, is administered by the material system of political, military and cultural policy on which our Western states have proceeded so far; the very policy by which they find their degree of ascendency removed, or greatly diminished, whilst the Eastern shores, not only of the South East Asian Sea, but those of the Caspian, are favoured with all the varieties of economic fortune and prosperity available to humankind.

Occasioned, probably, by the commercial settlement between the heads of Saudi Arabia and China, besides the deliberate prospects of being able to exchange commodities in the yuan currency, indeed, every intuitive journalist among political scientists is confident in the Red Dragon’s strength to enlarge its pretensions to equal influence and consideration in other states. Still, it is not so surprising, however, that the dollar should be attended with no better effects, as the united nations of BRICS and their neighbours are far from being agreed on the moral rectitude of its political nature, under the specious pretence of procuring to other peoples a lasting democracy; or on that degree of its encroachments on their freedom, and present itself to the view of the other nations as the supreme object of respect, fear and consideration.

Yet, in opposition to what has dripped from the pens of eminent writers, if the Russian Federation, and the supporters of the President were forever removed from the scene of international affairs, like the Soviet Union, the anti-dollar alliance already mentioned will be severely restrained in its pursuits; this alone, in the meantime, would be sufficient to confirm the hegemony of the United States in a considerable part of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The actual consequences of war, it must be confessed, are equally important in the history of this conjectured narrative. Displacement and forced migration from Russia are the earliest subjects of quarrel in the states of Central Asia: a total destruction of cultural assets, or an environmental degradation, are the prices of war, in proportion as the territory of Russia is dismembered; that this truth will lead them to lose in the Steppes of Central Asia the fruits of trade and investment. Under the appearance of danger, arising from the geopolitical vacuum, and the black market for nuclear weapons and weapons-grade uranium and plutonium find their supply, if not checked by some collateral power, the five states would enter into contests of regional authority or elimination, such as might inspire any habitual principle of realist theory in the academical discipline of International Relations (IR). One order of moderns, in their aversion to any application in which they are not engaged by neoliberalism, are apt to presume, that the Central Asians are willing to prefer the delusive hopes of an energy, security, and economic connection with the United States and Europe, to the ties of familiarity and dependence betwixt the Soviet Union and the denomination of their clans and fraternities.

When I recollect what Oswald Spengler has written, as well as the writings of Rudolf Steiner on folk souls, I am struck with the aspect of a strange history of the world. Guided, indeed, by that superior discernment of their comparative morphologies, I too am instigated to think that civilisations must decline, and their power degenerate. Hence it is, that while we Anglo-Americans admire the advantages of civilised and flourishing peoples, these terms appear misapplied to the Western or our Faustian Civilisation per se, whether as victors or as vanquished. It should seem, therefore, that it is of no consequence to the natives of Central Asia who would settle or conquer on the north of their own happier climates; that the beginning of a new High Culture is necessary and unavoidable.

It is properly observed that Central Asia is the only instance, to which there is no parallel in the history of mankind due to their instinctive healthy nomadism and eco-friendly attitude. It is everywhere interwoven, according to David William Parry, the first Chairperson of Eurasian Creative Guild, with singular attachments to the High Cultures of the Ancient Chinese, the Russian, the Ancient Indian, and the ‘Magian’ to which it belonged. After all, they were once the focus of the Islamic Golden Age, and were devised to cultivate the best qualities of scientists and philosophers, such as al-Khwarizmi, al-Biruni, al-Farabi, and Ibn Sina; and to be guided in the choice of their expressions by the supernatural insights of Gnosticism, Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism, and arguably their contemporary variant Anthroposophy.

So tentatively observed what passes during the life cycle of individual societies, we shall propose that the middle region of Asia, without hostility to those who oppose them, approaches the first step towards internal growth and, at the risk of a literary flourish, as is the case of any people are a proof rather of Cultural felicity to which their active spirit is destined. With this pretext, they endeavour to derive from their commerce and their inherited varieties of education, delivered by the ablest category of indigenous intellectuals, artists, and creatives, received from abroad, which their cultural organisations may enable them to pursue with all their cultivated manners, amidst the competitions of rival states. Happy are they who contend with such difficulties, and who can discover the new heights of the Central Asian High Culture which tend to fortify and energise, for their joint preservation. A challenge our contemporary Eurasian scholars would do well to encourage. All meaning, every apocalypse is a new genesis.

Bio: Daniele-Hadi Irandoost is an educator, historian and philosopher, as well as a former Commissioning Editor for E-International Relations, and a Member of Eurasian Creative Guild, whereas he is currently reading for his PhD at the Department of War Studies, in King’s College London. Irandoost is also the published author of On the Philosophy of Education: Towards an Anthroposophical View, while he is presently in the process of having his second book published under the highly evocative title, A New Vision of Spycraft.

by Daniele-Hadi Irandoost

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT IT!

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT IT!

I am finally in Astana, the capital and my old home. It is still winter but the sun is out and the streets, at this time of year, are more clear of snow than I can remember – maybe this year Nauryz will be a real spring, a real ‘new day’? I still wear my old army hat and winter coat as I walk across the marble clad square near Baiterek but I no longer move like a penguin. There are quite a few people around including volunteers canvassing with leaflets, baseball caps and shirts in their favoured party’s colours but they are less persuasive than those in Almaty and a biting wind has probably helped to drive away their smiles.

Away from the canvassers I amble towards my next meeting and decide to ask some people their views – a family with only a small amount of English understand what I ask and give the thumbs up – smiling and pointing at the cocoon wrapped child in a pushchair – I take this to mean that the election it is for her and the future but there may have been another meaning. A group of boys and girls were ‘hanging out’ in the lee of the trees on a bench and they were keen to talk, often all at once! They were wrapped in scarves and hoodies looking like young people from any part of the globe. Of them all, Aigerim chose her words in English carefully, stopping the others with waves of her hands so she could speak. ‘I want to say the right thing – not the right thing for the party or the government, but the correct English!’ Her friends translated and laughed between themselves. She continued, ‘I feel that this is the time for the people to make change!’ I enquire as to why she thinks this? ‘I have not been able to vote before, I have not been interested in government before, I see my parent’s friends, people I know standing in the election and I have listened to what they are saying and I believe in them – they will make a difference!’ Their friends clap in appreciation and to keep away the cold. I asked her what is really different this time? ‘Everyone is talking about it!’ I realised she is right – everyone is talking about it!
A little later, I attend the official briefings for journalists and have the open opportunity to talk to candidates from parties and independent candidates. They are full of positivity and hope. They cite the same issues that need solving, the economy, infrastructure development, health care and a unified Kazakh population – some mention foreign policy but probably because I am foreign. These are the issues that President Tokayev – I listen as they talk passionately and I wonder how the people will choose between them? In some voting regions there are over thirty candidates to choose from and it will be interesting to see the voting process in action.

As the polling stations are being prepared, blue curtained booths are being constructed and information boards erected in numerous Universities and public halls across the country, I am also conscious that such an intricate ‘new’ process may have its issues! Some of these issues have been foreseen and planned for, even down to changing the size of the voting paper so that more ballots will fit the boxes. Processes are in place for people with mobility problems and volunteers have been trained to help but what is important is that the process has to be seen to be fair. For example, there are already murmurs, on social media, about independent candidates’ lack of access to the press – these inequality problems will need to be investigated and acted upon after the election, if only so that the trust in the electoral process is maintained and the momentum of the current positivity is continued.

That evening, I join some other international journalists and we mull over the day’s meetings and share stories. For some it is their first time in Astana and their curiosity in culture and history fired up and I am happy to know they will introduce the opportunities of Kazakhstan to a new audience in their home countries. Others are more seasoned election reporters, among them there is general agreement that these elections feel different and that they are part of the pathway to a new Kazakhstan – we wearily separate to complete our copy and recharge the batteries for another full day of interviews and research.

The next day winter has returned with light snow, low grey leaden colour clouds and the biting wind. In a couple of days, polling day, more snow is forecast which may possibly cool the excitement too. There will be winners but there will be more losers and the reaction of the losers will be critical. If they feel they can lose graciously because the process was truly fair and transparent, then trust will be maintained, if not? Well ‘everybody will be talking about it!’ But for the wrong reasons!

by Gareth Stamp

THE CONTEMPORARY ART OF BAHKSHI A NEW SOUND OF THE GOLDENHERITAGE OF UZBEKISTAN

THE CONTEMPORARY ART OF BAHKSHI A NEW SOUND OF THE GOLDEN
HERITAGE OF UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan is a country wrestling with its past and its future. Ancient historical cities where heroes such as Alexander the Great and Tamerlane walked the same smooth worn pavements as today’s tourists, need preserving, yet the country is also caught up in a headlong rush to modernity and globalisation. The balance between the demands for tradition and future are truly polarised here. It is not only the physical mausoleums, palaces and silk road fortresses that could be at risk but also the non-tangible heritage too. The folk literature, which often combines with traditional music (known here as Bahkshi), is a very important part of historical culture and is even recognised by UNESCO. Storytelling, singing and, in the past, even rallying the troops into battle was a skill, with works passed down between masters of the art. Until very recently much of that work was not written down and it is unimaginable how much of this aural cultural history has been lost over the centuries.


However today there are enthusiastic academics, scholars and performers from across the Turkic countries and beyond that are trying to maintain and reclaim the heritage. UNESCO has recognised non-tangible cultural art forms and in Guliston City, the capital of the Syrdarya region, in Uzbekistan the third international conference on the contemporary art of Bakhshi – ‘A new sound of the Golden Heritage’ was held over three days in the first week of May 2023. Alongside the conference an international Bakhshi competition was held with Musical performers from more than 40 foreign countries and international organisations gathering to showcase their talents at the festival. 64 performers, including ten local and 54 foreign artists, were selected from over 300 participants. It was a chance for performers to share their music and storytelling with each other and the wider public and the locals also revelled in the chance to take photos with Kimono clad singers from Japan, Sarong wrapped musicians from Indonesia, Bulgarian women in traditional clothes draped in golden coin jewellery, and of course the Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in Shapans and Ak Kalpak added to the colour. It was a great honour for me, as Chairman of the Eurasian Creative Guild, to represent Great Britain, although at times I felt very underdressed! The pageantry was further highlighted by an epic performance of Uzbek and Turkic culture. Over 300 dancers from the local universities joined professional singers and artists in a nonstop riot of colour music and performance that thrilled the crowds and even got the visiting dignitaries on their feet dancing.

The conference itself was an opportunity to outline what Central Asian nations are doing to uphold the tradition and to promote it around the world. The conference was opened by the Uzbek Minister of Culture B.Sayfullayev and supported by the Adviser to The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Amir Muqam. Following two days of presentations and delivery of academic papers a resolution was passed to include the revival of Bakhshi Art in creative schools, and importantly the recording and cataloguing of current Bakhshi performers by using new technology to develop an international archive and use this to promote the Bakhshi arts.

The results of the competition saw accolades and prizes being awarded at an open-air public performance bringing the proceedings to a dramatic close.

During the Bakhshi festival in Gulistan City, Uzbekistan Gareth Stamp (Chairman of Eurasian Creative Guild) interviewed Maxmudaliyev Akmaljon, Governor of the Syrdarya District and one of the key organisers of the festival.

ECG – How Important is the Bakhshi Festival for The Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan?

Maxmudaliyev Akmaljon (MA) – Bakhshi folklore festival is crucial for Uzbekistan, and the first aim of having such a festival is to preserve historical traditions of art of Bakhshi. Also, we have a desire to save our unique culture, as cultural development means education and knowledge. And where there is education and knowledge, there only will be development and progress. For these, especially for Syrdarya district, and for the whole population of Uzbekistan, Bakhshi festival means happiness, and a cultural and meaningful event. For Uzbekistan, the sphere of culture is crucial, as we have the opportunity to struggle with ignorance.”

ECG – What plans for other festivals do you have in the coming months?

MA – We have big plans in the future to hold such kinds of festivals. In 2023, it will be the 60 years anniversary of Syrdarya district’s creation.

It means that from 1 January to 31 of December 2023 we will have a celebration in every home, street, administration, parks and regions. Also Syrdarya is popular for our special Mirzachol region melons, and Mirzabad region pomegranates. We have the seasonal harvest of melons and pomegranates festival, together with the celebration of our district’s anniversary – and we will definitely hold a big celebration, and will show it to the whole of the world.

ECG – What have you learnt from organising such an elaborate festival?

MA – The fact that the third Bakshi festival was held in Gulistan city, in Syrdarya, allows us to gain experience and preparation. During this preparation, we tried to pay attention to everything, especially for the development of tourism of Uzbekistan. Preparing for this festival was on the highest level, all the ministries and our president created very useful system for us. All members of our team supported each other in preparing for this event. It is now a unique experience for all of us.

ECG – It has been an amazing experience and I want to personally thank you and the organisers for the opportunity to witness the Bakhshi Festival.

MA – Hospitality is in our hearts and blood. Also I am very happy to meet with you because of this festival, and I want to add for the first question, culture unites peoples, friends and brotherhood

Text & Pictures by Gareth Stamp

CAN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SOLVE CENTRAL ASIA’S CHALLENGES?

CAN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SOLVE CENTRAL ASIA’S CHALLENGES?

Creating Water Purification Systems for Disaster Response: A Case Study

National, state and local governments frequently face complex problems that require cost effective and efficient solutions that are often constrained by both time and fiscal pressures. Government best practices developed and implemented in the US Federal government can be used to leverage marketing and purchasing power to rapidly increase the deployment of a wide range of technologies, products and/or services to the benefit of the people/taxpayers of a country, regional or local government.

Most government entities do not recognise, let alone leverage, their true market attractiveness to the private sector. Experience has shown that the private sector is ready, willing and able to assist the government if they are provided two things—neither of which are money. The first deals with the ability to articulate in a clear and concise way what a given problem is (through the use of detailed operational requirements) and the second is a conservative estimate of the potential available market. Recently developed models and programs, such as the System Efficacy through Commercialization, Utilization, Relevance and Evaluation (SECURE) program at the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can substantially increase their awareness of a worldwide spectrum of solution providers in a broad range of industries. The SECURE program is an ideal process for leveraging the potential available market represented by users of products and services germane to communities across the United States.

The real challenge for federal, state and local government officials is to work as a group to prioritise and articulate the unsatisfied needs/wants of their particular region(s). A recent effort to identify potential solutions that will assist communities recover from natural or manmade disasters will be shared in detail to demonstrate how innovative public-private partnerships work. Government officials and first responders realize that providing potable water to affected communities is one of the most important functions to restore after a disaster. These same officials also recognise significant shortcomings with traditional water delivery methods, such as trucking in bottled water or operating large, diesel-powered water purification systems.

DHS, through utilization of its SECURE program, has aided several state and local government officials by developing detailed operational requirements, concepts-of-operations and a conservative estimate of the potential available market (PAM) for products/services needed collectively by communities at the local, tribal, state and federal levels. This program ensures that public officials work closely with the private sector through partnership models like the SECURE program to obtain the highest performance/price products and/or services– at a speed-of-execution not typically seen in the public sector.

Private-Public Partnerships are the Future

A public-private partnership is an agreement between a public agency and a private sector entity that combines skills and resources to develop a technology, product and/or service that improves the quality of life for the general public. The private sector has been called upon numerous times to use its resources, skills and expertise to perform specific tasks in support of the public sector. Historically, the public sector has frequently taken an active role in spurring technological advances by directly funding the private sector to fulfil a specialised need that the public sector cannot complete itself.

The public sector has found it necessary to take this active role to lead and enable the development of a needed technology or capability in situations where the business case for the private sector’s investment in a certain area is not apparent. In these cases, the public sector relied on the private sector to develop mission-critical capabilities, but had to pay the private sector to divert its valuable (and limited) resources to an area that did not necessarily show a strong potential to provide an acceptable return-on-investment (ROI) for a given company. These situations could be caused by a number of issues ranging from a high cost to perform the research and development (R&D) to a limited PAM that may have prevented the company from making sufficient profit and returns to the company and its shareholders.

Increasingly, however, users in the public sector are now viewed as stable markets – i.e., a sizeable enough customer base for the private sector to warrant investments of time and money. A commercialisation-based public-private partnership has the same goal as more traditional public-private partnerships, but the method is constructed to leverage positive attributes of the free market system. The introduction of a commercialization-based public-private partnership, developed and implemented at DHS, provides benefits for three constituents of the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE): the private sector, the public sector and the taxpayer. This is a desirable scenario creating a “win-win-win” environment in which all participants are in a position to benefit.

In the free market system, private sector companies and businesses must commercialise and sell products and services that consumers want to purchase. The development and understanding of specific markets is a critical undertaking for many companies seeking to gain share of a market, with companies directing significant amounts of money and resources to these activities in addition to its product development efforts. Sometimes companies do not understand the correct needs or demand data of a market or market segment and their product(s) does not sell well.

What a commercialisation-based public-private partnership offers to the private sector is detailed information and opportunity. The public sector is not only the “consumer” in this free market scenario, but an informed and communicative consumer who is capable of giving the private sector a detailed description of what they need, as well as insight into which agencies and user communities would be interested in potentially purchasing a product/service that fulfils these requirements. While it remains prudent business to verify the information provided by the public sector, there is considerable value for the private sector to obtain these details from DHS because four things are provided to the private sector that would not happen in normal market dynamics: 1) a decrease in resources spent researching the market; 2) an increase in available time and money that can now be focused on product design and manufacturing; 3) a reduction in risk of the research data being incorrect; and 4) a conservative estimate as to how large the potential market can be for a known and funded entity.

The development and communication of detailed requirements or needs is the real cornerstone to the success of these public-private partnerships. The public sector’s ability to articulate the needs of its stakeholders will catalyse and support the future actions of the partnership. Understanding requirements early in the search for solutions removes a great deal of guesswork in the planning stages and helps to ensure that the end-users and product developers are “on the same page.”

Transformational Change beyond DHS

Because of its obvious benefits, it is reasonable to examine the possibility of extending the concepts developed at DHS to other countries’ national, state, local and tribal agencies. Logic dictates that in cases where operational requirements can be developed across agencies, the size of a given potential available market would increase. It is also certainly conceivable that various agencies across government share similar requirements for products and services. Further expanding requirements generation and collecting information on market potential across all of government can have transformative effects on the way government conducts business. The incorporation of commercialisation adds a “valuable tool to an agency’s toolbox” in providing increased speed-of-execution in deploying technologies/products/services to solve problems, as well as providing an increase in the net realizable budget of an agency. In fact, the expansion of public-private partnerships like SECURE across all of government are being recommended to both the President of the United States and Congress due to their many benefits. It should be noted that these principles are now being applied in innovative programs like MUNIS in Uzbekistan, as well as FPIP in Kazakhstan.

Acknowledgements
This article would not have been possible without the steadfast assistance of my former colleagues at the White House and US Department of Homeland Security. In addition, I thank all those I have, and continue to work with, across Central Asia who are applying these proven models in countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

by H.E. The Hon., Dr. Thomas A. Cellucci, MBA

KYRGYZSTAN TOURISM KEEPS EVOLVING

KYRGYZSTAN TOURISM KEEPS EVOLVING

INTERVIEW WITH ELENA KALASHNIKOVA

Elena Kalashnikova was born in 1968 and has had an active and fulfilling life based around her love of travel, alpinism and diving. She graduated from Omsk State Educational Institute (Specialty: mathematics, computer science) in 1992 but realised that tourism was her passion that she wanted to dedicate her life to. She graduated from TURAN Institute (Specialty: Management in Tourism, Almaty) in 1998 and founded Ak Sai Travel Ltd. in Bishkek. This company gives its clients the chance to see the pure and pristine nature of Kyrgyz mountains. Elena has been awarded a national medal for the development of tourism in Kyrgyzstan.

Elena’s professionalism and experience led to her appointment, in 2012, as the president of the Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators (KATO) – a non-profit organisation that defends the corporate interests of its members and the rights of its clients. The Association’s most important goal is the creation of a civilised tourism market and assistance in tourism industry development at the national level. Elena successfully managed KATO for more then ten years and promoted Kyrgyzstan as a destination for inbound and outbound markets. Both colleagues and clients notice positivity, kind attitude to people travelling and providing hospitality.

OCA: What are the priorities for Kyrgyz tourism, in terms of which countries they would like to attract and what age/type of people they are looking for, given that Kyrgyzstan has traditionally been known for adventure tourism, with activities such as backpacking in the wilderness?

Elena Kalashnikova: The Kyrgyz Republic is very diverse in terms of tourism opportunities. Adventure tourism is only one of the directions we’re going in, although you are right, the direction is very popular. In our country, 94% of the country’s territory is mountains, there are peaks that are above 7000 meters, which are attractive for climbers from all over the world. There are mountain hikes of varying difficulty – for both professionals and amateurs, people come for holidays on the beach – we have the wonderful lake Issyk-Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world. There are cultural tours – the Great Silk Road passed through Kyrgyzstan, there are many ancient fortresses and familiar locations from historical chronicles. Therefore, traveling to the Kyrgyz Republic will be of interest to everyone, regardless of age and preferences. As for the tourists from which countries we would like to attract, primarily those from the European region, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. People from these countries have a good idea of what they want to see. And they have plenty to choose from. They are interested in Kyrgyzstan as a new direction. We have truly unique natural conditions. And, importantly, people are hospitable and ready to receive tourists.

For certain countries, adventure tourism is interesting. For tourists from the CIS – beach tourism, sanatorium treatment, and in the winter, skiing. Europeans are most attracted to the mountains – trekking, climbing and everything related to adventure. Therefore, we focus on these areas for them.

OCA: How are the government and promoters intending to market the region?

EK: The uniqueness of our country lies in the fact that we can offer a whole range in the types of tourism that a person can enjoy, and we must talk about them. To promote Kyrgyzstan, our Tourism Development Support Fund uses traditional methods. These are direct contacts with tour operators of other countries, participation in tourism exhibitions and fairs, with promotion of the country done through direct sales at these events, holding road-shows and fam-trips for the media and tour operators of other countries, interaction with organizations of compatriots abroad. The Foundation has already organized 11 national stands at the largest tourism exhibitions in the world. Each time presentations are held, dozens of meetings are organised, and contracts are concluded. Of course, we also promote through the Internet and social networks. But focusing solely on this is clearly not enough. Publications on the network can show what awaits a person, but, unfortunately, they do not convey emotions. Nothing replaces live communication when travelling to the country. Therefore, we need to establish as many personal contacts as possible.

OCA: Is cultural heritage a major draw for tourists and if so, what plans are there to develop this?

EK: If, speaking of cultural heritage, we mean fairy tales, legends, folk music and folklore, then, of course, yes. If we mean our nomadic culture that we still have and that we still value to this day – then of course, also yes. The Tourism Development Support Fund support yurt camps, for glamping even (providing comfortable campsites in our national style). Staying in them, you can feel the nomadic life of people who spend their time on the pastures, among grazing cattle. Kyrgyz national patterns and other traditional elements are used in the decor, in everyday clothes – and not only in our country. New York Mayor, Eric Adams, recently appeared in public wearing a Kyrgyz-made chapan. It is unusual and attractive, which means it is interesting.

OCA: Do specific events like the Nomad Games have a real impact on tourism?

EK: First, the World Nomad Games were primarily aimed at attracting tourists, and second, for the reproduction of the entire nomadic lifestyle that we have had for many centuries, with elements of national games, tastings of national dishes and drinks. Tourists are not interested when people are dressed in modern business suits, but they are interested in feathers or skins – something they don’t have at home. They go to Brazil for the carnival because it is fashionable, popular and interesting. When people talk about a carnival, they immediately associate it with bright clothes, music, and feathers. The Nomad games are associated with equestrian sports, archery, and yurts. Of course it’s interesting. And when American athletes play the Kyrgyz game “kok-boru”, it attracts attention. In Great Britain there are also national equestrian games, polo, for example, but they are different in our country. And the uniqueness of the product, is that we are reproducing what used happen many centuries ago, in this modern day and age. And not only reproducing, but carefully storing it and using it in everyday life.

OCA: From a personal point of view, what places do you think tourists should visit and are there any hidden gems that the world needs to know more about?

EK: There are a lot of interesting places, and it is simply impossible to see everything in one trip. When I travel, I don’t look for the popular locations, but at those that are of interest to the local population. And I try not to eat in restaurants with Michelin stars, but where local people dine. Only then can you get immersed in the authenticity of the region. We have a lot of places like this in Kyrgyzstan.

For centuries, our region has been very interesting for the people from China, India and other nearby countries. In Issyk-Kul, for example, there is the sunken ancient city of Chigu, the stones that Tamerlane spoke to. There was also a monastery where ancient Christian monks lived and where the relics of St. Matthew are kept. These days, some ruins of those places still remain. There are places from the era of the Karakhanids, for example the settlement of Suyab.

There are monuments from the time when the region was under the influence of Buddhists, for example, in Ysyk-Ata. Where did the statue of Buddha come from in the mountains? And who were the travelers who brought it and left it there?

OCA: How do you see tourism developing over the next five years in Kyrgyzstan? Are plans such as infrastructure development, a part of that?

EK: In my opinion, it’s quite important that the state does not interfere with the development of tourism, but instead assists, invests in infrastructural projects, and makes it easier to do business in the field of tourism. What does a tourist want? They want the procedure for obtaining a visa, if required, to be clear and easy. To start with the airport, it’s important to have clear directional signs. Along the way – different types of transport, not only private taxis, but also organized shuttles. They want to ensure that the food they eat is safe. And the task of the state, first and foremost, is to create conditions for all these norms to be observed. This is the ideal situation from a tourist’s point of view.

From the point of view of business, this includes construction, and the development of transport, and even tourist formalities for obtaining visas. Our Foundation is actively working on this. Across the country, the Foundation is building RestPoints, modern versions of ancient caravanserais along the Silk Road, where travellers stopped during their travels. These locations include a toilet, an information center, a souvenir shop and a charging station for electric vehicles. The first 21 of these locations will be ready this year, and there will be 68 in total. The Fund launched GoBus shuttle buses along popular routes – from the capital of the country, Bishkek, to Manas airport, on the coast of the Issyk-Kul Lake, to nearby natural parks. Another project of the Fund is the organisation and marking of eco-paths according to the standards of the World Tourism Organization, UNWTO. Infrastructure development is also needed in order for Kyrgyzstan to be included in the list of countries recommended for travel along the Great Silk Road.

The Foundation opened a call centre for tourists. The processes of obtaining permits to visit border zones, obtaining visas and registering tourists who come for a long time are all things that are being automated. By the way, Kyrgyzstan was the first in Central Asia to introduce a visa-free regime for citizens of certain countries. A lot is being done to make travelling to our country interesting and comfortable.

OCA: How does Kyrgyzstan ensure that its heritage is preserved while wanting to modernise?

EK: It is very important for us to preserve the spirit of our Kyrgyz people. For example, the same RestPoints that I mentioned are not just about modern toilets. These locations are authentically made, carefully preserving the spirit of the great nomads, resting places with a new sound and modern performance, the prototype of which was our famous Tash-Rabat caravanserai – they even look similar.

People in our country honour and cherish their age-old traditions. Tourists can join the nomadic lifestyle. They can ride horses, spend the night in yurts, or try medicinal koumiss (drink made from mare’s milk). They can observe traditional decorations and the unique design elements of yurts in almost every rural house. Enjoy our beautiful wildlife, but at the same time relax with the usual comfort. For example, in the vicinity of Bishkek, our Foundation has begun the construction of a large ski cluster. In terms of comfort, it will be comparable to the famous Alpine resorts. And at the same time, located in a stunningly beautiful and almost pristine location.

OCA: How are you planning on minimising the environmental impacts of increased tourism?

EK: Our tourism has not yet acquired such an industrial character as in developed European countries, where 60-70 million tourists visit annually. We are not ready for such a flood, it will simply trample our country. Therefore, we need to think ahead, use someone else’s experience. In developed countries, during the period of the sharp industrial boom, the situation with the environment was also deplorable. But then they began to strictly regulate both emissions and the negative impact of various industrial enterprises, and everything returned to normal. Minimizing the environmental impact is very important for our Fund. For example, when we started building RestPoint, we immediately stipulated that they should be environmentally friendly – with competent, thoughtful treatment facilities, with electric heating, with charging for electric vehicles.

It is important for us to preserve the stunningly beautiful nature of our country, which is worth visiting from far away. Kyrgyzstan is also a wonderful destination because here you can plan any kind of tourist route, for every taste, even one where you won’t meet with other people. And we need to keep this unique advantage, so that everyone can experience the incredible beauty of Kyrgyzstan.

Open Doors to the World of Art

Open Doors to the World of Art: Announcement of the International Festival in Kazakhstan

The festival “Voices of Friends: Poetry and Visual Arts” brings together talented authors from different countries, giving them the opportunity to show their creative abilities to a wide audience and to find like-minded people.

In 2023, the festival will take place for the third time in the resort area Borovoe (Schuchinsk) from 25 to 30 September. The organizers – the cultural association Eurasian Creative Guild – promise a high level of the event, spectacular performances and vivid emotions.

“Voices of friends” will be held on the basis of the art residence ECG Horizons, hotels: Rixos Borovoe, “Dom u Ozera”, Park Hotel Kokshetau and Park House.

The festival will be rich with delegations of filmmakers, artists and poets from Britain, Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, which will expand the outlook and share experiences with colleagues from different countries!

A significant event will be the presentation of the collection “100 experiences of the Burabay region”, dedicated to the 95th anniversary of Burabay National Park.

Meetings with poets, film screenings, literary evenings, master classes, exhibitions and other interesting activities will be held during the festival for all the guests.

The culmination will be the ceremony of awarding the winners of Voices of Friends – 2023 и Burabay International Festival of Social Cinema-2023.

More information about the festival and the program will be published later on the official website:https://ru.thevoicesoffriends.com/vof

Contact us:

E-mail: lari@ocamagazine.com

THE ROAD TO BOROVOE

THE ROAD TO BOROVOE

For people that live in the beginning of the third millennium, it’s hard to believe that a hundred years ago trips to Borovoe were not so easy and challenging for our ancestors. Now, almost everyone has his own car, there are intercity bus and train services all over Kazakhstan, and finally there are flights that allow you to fly thousands of kilometres in a couple of hours. So it is no longer a problem to get the resort Borovoe. For example, it would take three hours to get there from Petropavlovsk and even less from Astana. Today it seems impossible to think that the trip from Petropavlovsk to Borovoe in 1913 took from two to five days depending on the weather, different circumstances and kinds of carriages.

There wasn’t a highway at that time and cars were not common. Development of aircraft had just begun and the building of the Trans Siberian had just finished, but the closest stations of this railway were in Petropavlovsk and Omsk. That’s why visitors of Borovoe were mostly from these cities.

Hardly anyone from the southern part of the Steppe visited Borovoe. At that time Akmolinsk and Atbassar were some of the biggest cities and its citizens were Cossacks, philistines, merchants, relocated peasants, settled Kazakh people and supervised exiles. They were not ones who could afford to go to a resort. Almost all of them were on duty, engaged in farming and worked to live. However, steppe Kazakhs had known about healing properties of salt and the curative mud from the Borovoe lakes much earlier. Then the Russians came and regularly visited mainly for healing rheumatism and skin diseases.

The main flow of tourists (they were called summer residents) was from big and rich Siberian cities like Chelyabinsk, Petropavlovsk, Kurgan, Omsk, Tomsk, Novo-Nikolaevsk (Novosibirsk). People from different social classes – merchants, philistines, the intelligentsia, civil servants, and skilled workers – had enough money to pay for this trip for themselves and their family.

Let’s imagine the journey of such a “summer resident”, a teacher from Omsk for example, who had heard about the resort where extraordinary fresh air and koumiss could improve health. A teacher’s salary in the Russian Empire was good but he did not have his own carriage. He had a choice to rent a horse-drawn carriage from Omsk directly to Borovoe or go by newly built Siberian railway to Petropavlovsk station and then go to the resort. The second option was more preferable because the distance was shorter.

Financially it was more profitable to find a fellow passenger on the train or before the trip by placing an advertisement in any newspaper, like “Siberian Life” that was popular all over the whole of Siberia. Another way to find a fellow traveller was to place an advertisement on the post station in Petropavlovsk and wait for a few hours. The total cost of the trip from Petropavlovsk to Borovoe resort was twenty rubles for a couple of horses or about thirty rubles for three horses.

When the teacher arrived at the railway station in Petropavlovsk he would need to hire a carriage driver (50 pennies) and go to the post station where he could rent a post horse that were provided by state postal service, or hire horse-drivers like taxi drivers nowadays. Unfortunately, both options had their disadvantages.

What was the trip by post horses like? If you imagine that the post carriage is like an intercity bus and post stations are additional stops, then you can get an approximate picture of this kind of traffic management. The cost of these post carriages was 3 pence for one horse per one verst plus 10 pence state fee for a horse for the whole road. Additionally, the cost of the carriage was 12 pence plus the usual tips.
At that time, there were only two villages on the post road to Borovoe – Bogodukhovskoe (90 versts from Petropavlovsk) and Azat (80 versts from Borovoe). Azat was the last post station and people needed to hire horse-drivers to go further. The whole way from Petropavlovsk to Azat people had to make pickets among the boundless steppe. Pickets were post stations with 2 or 3 buildings. It was possible to overcome all the distance to Borovoe for 1.5 or 2 days depending on the post services and mood of the head of the station. Usually he used his authority and sometimes could postpone the carriage departure at his discretion, or could wait for another carriage and transfer all post packages and passengers there. The road to Borovoe was pretty easy in good weather. The steppe path was well-rolled and was as good as asphalt. Wet weather conditions made this road much harder because there was a lot of dirt that stuck to the carriage wheels and horse’s hooves. So, drivers tried to ride on bumpy ruts. That was a really hard road to handle even for a healthy man.

The next way to get there was to hire a horse driver. There were lots of free horse drivers in Petropavlovsk who could offer their service or suggest another driver. The cost for horse drivers was 10 pence for each pair of horses per one verste. This way could guarantee a calmer journey on the road as you had to deal with only one driver and didn’t worry about rearranging baggage. The big disadvantage of this trip was its slow pace. The trip could last from 2 to 5 days depending on the weather, horse’s stamina and resistance of carriages with stops at Inns.

There was another unusual way to get to Borovoe, by bicycle. Before the trip people needed to train for a month. A cyclist could ride this distance over 16-20 hours (not counting stops to rest) in good weather. People who chose to get to Borovoe by bicycle rode usually along the main railway track till the first crossing and then along telegraph poles to the Azat village. From there it was possible to see the mountain top of Kokshe, which was a visual landmark. There were plenty of people who wanted to cover this distance by bicycle and a lot of information about this route has survived. Papers contain information on how much water and food you need to have with you on the trip, what clothes you should wear, and also medical advice was included. It’s not surprising that medical experts of the time considered bicycle riding as a great healing, preventive and strengthening remedy for many diseases.

But in 1913, the suffering of travellers came to an end when car traffic to Borovoe was established in Petropavlovsk. Three kinds of cars started to operate: light passenger, passenger and cargo. The same year the New Railways Commission decided to build a railway from Petropavlovsk to Kokshetau. But the first World War and then Civil war delayed realisation of this project for some time.

by Pavel Kossovich

5TH EURASIAN FILM FESTIVAL DESCENDS ON LONDON

5TH EURASIAN FILM FESTIVAL DESCENDS ON LONDON

From the 25th to the 30th May 2023, the Fifth Eurasian Film Festival was held in Romford, London. Films and presentations were made from more than twelve countries, embodying the best of culture and creative talent. The festival ran alongside the Romford Film Festival. President of Romford Film festival, Spencer Hawken, was very complimentary about the quality of the films and the thought provoking subject matter. “The Eurasian Film Festival adds another level to the Romford festival and we are happy to host the works and support the Eurasian Creative Guild,” he said.

As part of the festival, the Eurasian Creative Guild held its own meeting where there was a book launch of the famous Kazakh author, Dulat Issabekov’s book of short stories “Confrontation” which has been published by Hertfordshire Press in London. There was also an excellent art exhibition, with portraits by SarvinozHojieva, from Tajikistan. During the meeting there were poetry readings from John Farndon (UK), GenadiyGorovoy (Belarus – Israel), Natalie Wang (Lipatova) (Belarus – Bulgaria) and Tanya Ivanova (Bulgaria – Spain), who also presented her new collections of poetry. One of the highlights of the gathering was a musical performance by Erlan Ryskaly, on the Dombra from Kazakhstan. Erlan is currently in the UK on a musical internship supported by Eurasian Creative Guild.

Natalie Bays from Romford film festival spoke to the audience about her positive experiences of the Guild, “I would never have thought that I would experience Central Asia on my own doorstep. It is great for the people of Romford to have the opportunity to see the films, hear the music and experience the culture. Building bridges between communities is what the Eurasian Creative Guild is about and this is exactly what they are doing here!” she said.

The ECG Film festival 2023 Awards Ceremony was dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Maria Akhmedjanova – Shevel (Uzbekistan). Maria was an amazing architect and designer who led the conception and creative planning of Jizzakh, a city in Uzbekistan. The ceremony was held on the 30th May and was very well attended. There were welcome speeches by: HE ambassador of Kazakhstan to Great Britain – MagzhanIlyasov. He emphasised the power of film in conveying stories and sharing information but also said that films should be memorable and thought provoking.

Other speeches were made by the new Mayor of the London borough of Havering, Cllr. Stephanie Nunn. This was only her second official duty and she was very interested in the cultural diversity at the festival.

The founder of ECG Film festival, Mark (Marat)Akhmedjanov (Uzbekistan – UK), opened the formal proceedings and in the traditional film festival manner the award winners and recipients of prizes were announced.

Best Eurasian Feature Film
The Crying Steppe (Kazakhstan) | Marina Kunarova
Prize was awarded by Kamshat Kumisbay,
Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the United Kingdom

Best Eurasian Short film
Khaibulla (Russia – Bashkortostan)
| RustemShaikhutdinov

Best Eurasian Documentary Film
Katia and Rimma (France) | Gulya Mirzoeva
Detached (Russia – Chukotka) | Vladimir Krivov
Prizes awarded by a representative from the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United Kingdom

Best Eurasian Screenplay in English
Pirandello’s Wife (USA) | Lynn Elliott
Prize awarded by John Farndon, ECG former chairman

Best Eurasian Screenplay in Russian
Home (Kazakhstan) | Zhorabek Musabayev
Prize awarded by Bella Kogan

Best Screenplay based on Kazat Akmatov’s ‘Thirteen Steps of Erika Klaus’
The Valkyrie (Israel) | Darien Shaul Roytman
Prize awarded by Lira Sabyrova – Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

ADDITIONAL AWARDS:
Honorary Achievement Certificate
for Animation

History of the Music Hall (UK) | Tim Wilson
Prize awarded by Timur Akhmedjanov

Best Eurasian Cinematography
The Last Witness (UK – Poland) | Piotr Szkopiak
Prize awarded by Adam Siemieńczyk
and Marta Brassart

Best Young Director
Selected (Kazakhstan) | Said Ashirbayev
Prize awarded by Natalie Wang

Audience Choice Award
Awakening of a sleeping beauty (Kazakhstan) | AkbobekTolzhanova
Prize awarded by Stephen M. Bland

Best Romance Screenplay
The Way of the heart(UK) | Aldona Grupas

Honorary Achievement Certificate for Art Direction
A Team of Heaven (Russia) | Vladimir Alenikov

Certificate of Acknowledgement for the Sincerity and Compassion Seen in the Production of War-Related Films
One War (Russia) | Natalya Ivanova

Certificate of Acknowledgement for the Promotion and Celebration of British Cinema and Filmmaking Talent in the UK and Internationally
Luba Balagova

Certificate of appreciation and Barbara Nawrocka medal by Poezja London for contribution in promotion of Eurasian Culture
Sarvinoz Hojieva (Tajikistan) for her art exhibition
Genadiy Gorovoy (Belarus/Israel) for poetry presentation
Natalie Bays (UK) from Romford film festival
Erlan Ryskaly (Kazakhstan) for musical performance
Natalie Wang (Lipatova) (Belarus – Bulgaria) for jury service
Tania Ivanova (Bulgaria – Spain) for poetry presentation

Certificate of appreciation were also awarded to:
John Farndon (UK)
Gareth Stamp (UK – Bulgaria)
Raza Syed (UK – Pakistan)

The event was supported by the presence of representatives from the following Embassies: Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Belarus.

The Eurasian Creative Guild is proud to share the cinematographic culture and expertise of its members from around the world. It is also worth mentioning that films are rarely the work of one person, and what is seen on the screen has so many people behind the camera that make the creations come to life. Such collaboration and dedication need to be admired and continue to be supported. The moving images and stories that create these works are a powerful way of bringing people together through shared experience. Through the Eurasian Film Festival in London and the Burabay Short Film festival in Kazakhstan, the Eurasian Creative Guild continues to build bridges between different cultures.

PEOPLE’S DIPLOMACY IN ACTION AT BURABAY

PEOPLE’S DIPLOMACYIN ACTION AT BURABAY

In European countries they have a tradition of taking a “gap year” after college before entering university. Usually this year is devoted to travel and volunteer work, and volunteering in itself is a form of social interaction. Even members of the British royal family are included in this process (this is how Prince William, for example, worked in an air ambulance, and donated his salary for charitable purposes).

In the former Soviet countries, where the education system is significantly different, and going to university is something of a compulsory step immediately after school, this tradition does not exist, and young people are concentrated solely on getting a highly paid and prestigious job. Volunteering is still perceived as an exceptional phenomenon, since “unpaid” work is often regarded as a waste of time.

The ECG HORIZONS Burabay residency, opened by the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) in 2021 in Shchuchinsk (Kazakhstan), was conceived as a volunteer mission to promote culture, creative experiments and create a space for the development of talented people, where they can exchange experiences with colleagues from different countries. ECG (London) is a non-profit organization, and the residence was originally a social project rather than a commercial investment. For two years, the team’s forces reconstructed the main work spaces, with some items done directly by the team themselves where specialized knowledge was not required. And there is still a lot of household and construction work that needs to be done – from caring for the territory to developing partnerships and joint projects with companies in the region. And it was this part of the work that was conceived as a volunteer project for creative people: they come to engage in creativity and at the same time contribute to the development of the residency in exchange for living there. Unfortunately, this idea is an unfamiliar concept for those with the mentality of former Soviet countries. Besides this, international travel has become much more complicated over the past three years and has reduced the number of people who are able and willing to travel anywhere for a long time.

Currently, the ECG HORIZONS Burabay residency has become a more peculiar cultural diplomatic mission, since both heads of the Guild – Chairman Gareth Stamp and Vice Chairman Marat Akhmedjanov – were awarded medals for their contribution to the development of people’s diplomacy by the International Commonwealth of People’s Diplomacy. It hosts international festivals every year, and residents and guests who come here to work on their creative projects throughout the year perform in the cultural and educational institutions of the region. We are waiting for more of our colleagues who are ready to come to the residence to share their creative experience with colleagues and children in Shchuchinsk, provide them with support in learning foreign languages, creative skills ​and help the Guild team improve the residence.

If you have any questions about co-operation,
please contact us by email
t-kaunis@ocamagazine.com

The city of Jizzakh has become a symbol for the prestigious London Film Festival.

The city of Jizzakh has become a symbol for the prestigious London Film Festival.

On May 30th, 2023, at the fifth ECG Film Festival in London there was an award ceremony dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Maria Akhmedjanova – Shevel – an outstanding architect and creative artist of Uzbekistan.

Maria Akhmedjanova – Shevel – was born in May 1943. Mother of five children and grandmother of 15 grandchildren. In 1965, under Sharaf Rashidov’s personal guidance, she worked on the development of the Hungry Steppe and the architectural appearance of Jizzakh, the homeland of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. She was a holder of a number of state awards: Hero of Labor, Veteran of Labor, Medal of Maternity and many others.

Since 2014, there is a prize named after Maria Shevel, which is awarded annually for the best children’s work within the framework of the oldest international literary competition “Open Eurasia“. Her name has become a symbol of outstanding creative achievements in children’s literature.

“We decided to dedicate the award ceremony to the memory of Maria Akhmedjanova-Shevel, as a tribute to her achievements, her life experience, it is a symbol of the multinational city of Jizzakh, which gave the world talented writers such as  – Hamid Alimzhan, Zulfiya as well as many others. It also brought us the most outstanding leaders of Uzbekistan,” – said one of the organisers of the ECG Film Festival, Alexandra Rey.

The Mayor of the London Borough of Havering, Stephanie Nunn, representatives of the embassies of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Tajikistan and Belarus were all guests of honour at the award ceremony.

The festival included screenings of films from around the world: France, Kazakhstan, Russia, Sweden, Poland, Great Britain, and Iran, as well as exhibitions, presentations and performances by artists.

“It is so wonderful that the film festival ended with an award ceremony dedicated to an outstanding woman from Uzbekistan, because it is through such personalities that the world learns about Uzbekistan and its culture,” said Gareth Stump, Chairman of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London).

Since 2019, the ECG Film Festival has attracted many talented and ambitious people who are eager to discover new facets of cinematography, and continues to do so to this day. The festival is organised by the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) in partnership with the Romford Film Festival.

Contact us: 

festival@ocamagazine.com

+44 7903 837 823

ECG Film Festival

Constitutional referendum in Uzbekistan: a course to continue profound democratic reforms

Constitutional referendum in Uzbekistan: a course to continue profound democratic reforms

A national referendum on the law on the new Constitution will be
held in Uzbekistan on 30 April 2023. The updated Basic Law is intended
to consolidate the country’s strategic course for further reform of society
and the state, which has had a positive impact on its foreign policy, primarily
in the Central Asian region.

In this regard, it is obvious that the referendum will be the most important political event in the life of the Uzbekistan citizens this year. This is evidenced, first of all, by the most active participation of society in the process of drafting a new Constitution.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan recognized that it was initially envisaged to change 30% of the text of the Basic Law, but more than 220 thousand proposals were received, which is why the amendments now concern 65%.[1] It is no coincidence that Uzbek expert and public circles already call the updated Constitution the “people’s one”.

Reflection of the transformation of society and the state

In fact, the draft of the new Constitution reflects the serious changes that have taken place in Uzbekistan since the beginning of large-scale reforms announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the end of 2016. Then, for foreign experts, the political and economic opening of Uzbekistan came as a surprise. Most observers expected a few symbolic innovations, but mostly continuity. However, since Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office , Uzbekistan has undoubtedly been going through a phase of profound changes.[2]

Serious amendments have been made to the draft new Constitution concerning human rights and freedoms, personal inviolability of citizens and their private life in criminal proceedings and conditions of detention. In the administration of justice, the use of evidence obtained in violation of the law is not allowed. Torture, violence, ill-treatment, and the death penalty are prohibited.

Unlike the current Basic Law, Uzbekistan is defined “as a legal, social, secular, democratic state.” Articles affecting the social rights of citizens inimportant areas such as education and healthcare have been significantly expanded. The rights of youth, children and women will be protected by the State. Special attention is paid to the protection of the rights and interests of citizens with disabilities, as well as socially vulnerable segments of the population.

For the first time, a separate chapter dedicated to civil society institutions is included, guarantees of their activities are established. Thus, special attention is paid to improving the norms concerning not only the strengthening of  civil society institutions, but also the mass media. In this context, it should be emphasized that in December 2022, the number of foreign TV channels allowed to be distributed on the territory of Uzbekistan increased from 50 to 192. Among them are BBC, Sky News, CNN, CNBC, Fox News, Bloomberg and others.[3] This is an unprecedented case for Central Asia.

In the areas concerning the economic rights of citizens, a separate article in the draft Constitution prohibits forced labor andany form of child labor. In 2021, for example, Uzbekistan eliminated forced and child labor from the production cycle in cotton growing.

According to the International Labor Organization, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country embarked on the path of reforms, including the modernization of the former agrarian economic model and the rejection of the widely used practice of using child and forced labor in cotton harvesting.[4]

In Tashkent in March 2023, US Secretary of State E. Blinken called this fact a “historic achievement”. According to him, “this is a model for countries around the world facing similar problems.”… We look forward to working with the (Uzbek) government to advance similar efforts in other sectors.”[5]

The updated Constitution of Uzbekistan significantly strengthens the role of Parliament.

It is proposed to increase the number of exclusive powers of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis from 5 to 12, the Senate – from 14 to 18. Part of the current powers of the president in the field of forming the system of executive and judicial powers is to be transferred to parliament.

Thus, the renewal of the Constitution not only confirms the reformist course of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, but also defines clear guidelines for where Uzbekistan will move in its further development. There is still much to be done, the head of state himself has repeatedly noted, but reforms, renewal and modernization are irreversible.

According to the World Bank’s Regional Director for Central Asia, Tatiana Proskuryakova, “Uzbekistan remains committed to the most important reforms, despite the difficult situation around the world and in the region of Europe and Central Asia.”[6] President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has launched a large-scale reform program, in which significant progress has been made, especially in the field of economic liberalization.[7]

British experts were not mistaken when back in 2018 they noted that the economic modernization of Uzbekistan and its growing political openness could have huge consequences for economic development and political stability throughout Central Asia. Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia and its geographical center. These features make it a natural and historical trendsetter of political and economic fashion in the region.[8]

Modernization of Uzbekistan’s economy and increased political openness will be of great importance for sustainable development in Central Asia. If successful, his reforms could also make Uzbekistan a positive model for other Muslim-majority countries.[9]

New adjustments in the regional policy of Uzbekistan

In 2016, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev declared Central Asia the main priority of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy. The Preamble of the draft new Constitution notes “Uzbekistan’s desire to strengthen and develop friendly relations with the world community, primarily with neighboring states, on the basis of cooperation, mutual support, peace and harmony.”

It is noteworthy that in June 2018, exactly five years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution “Strengthening regional and international cooperation to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in the Central Asian region”. The initiative to adopt this document was put forward by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the international conference on Central Asia, held in November 2017 in the city of Samarkand.

As the President of Uzbekistan noted at the time: “Our main goal is to jointly transform Central Asia into a stable, economically developed and prosperous region.” The regional policy of Shavkat Mirziyoyev has become a new stage in the history of interstate relations of the Central Asian countries and marked the beginning of their consolidation.

For the first time since gaining their independence, the Central Asian states have confirmed their ability not only to take joint actions to solve common regional problems, but also to ensure the well-being and prosperity of their citizens.[10]

Today, the countries of the region are consistently solving the difficult tasks of ensuring security and stability, sustainable socio-economic development of Central Asia. A lot of barriers have been eliminated, first of all, sensitive border problems. In a short time, conditions have been created for the free movement of citizens, active cultural and tourist exchanges between the countries of the region.

For the first time in recent decades, joint industrial cooperation projects have been launched and new value chains are being created. Thus, investment banks of Uzbekistan with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have been established to finance promising projects in the fields of industry, the agricultural sector, energy, infrastructure, automotive and other areas.

Moreover, water energy, which was previously a “bone of contention”, has become the subject of partnership between the countries of Central Asia. So, in January 2023, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan signed a roadmap for the implementation of the Kambarata HPP-1 construction project.

A favorable environment has been formed in Central Asia, which contributes to the growth of mutual trade. Uzbekistan has started creating border trade and economic zones with almost all countries of the region. Thanks to this, intraregional trade has doubled over the past five years, and the total GDP of the region has increased by $75 billion. to over $358 billion (in 1991, this figure was about $46 billion).

All these changes have a positive impact on the daily life of the peoples of the Central Asian countries, improving their well-being, contributing to strengthening stability in the region. It is obvious that the reforms in Uzbekistan and its new regional policy have contributed to a serious acceleration of the economic development of all the Central Asian countries.

Moreover, consolidation has allowed the countries of the region to increase their role as subjects of the system of international relations, as well as the ability to take responsibility for regional security. The international community recognizes that only a stable, dynamically developing and prosperous Central Asia can become an attractive, constructive and long-term partner.[11]

As US Secretary of State E. Blinken noted in Tashkent, a more interconnected, cooperative Central Asia will be able to better determine its own future and meet the needs of its people. [12]

Over the past five years, there has been a serious transformation of Central Asia, which has gone from a region of tension and conflict to a zone of mutual trust, cooperation and partnership. The agenda of the leaders of the Central Asian states has changed, in which issues of implementing common projects of interconnectedness in the spheres of trade, economy, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties already prevail today.

In recent years, the dynamic trends of Uzbekistan’s cooperation with neighboring states have acquired a qualitatively new, systemic and dynamic character. In a short period of time, Uzbekistan’s bilateral relations with the countries of the region have been elevated to the level of strategic partnership (Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan) and alliance (Kazakhstan, Tajikistan).

The mechanism of Consultative Meetings of the heads of Central Asian States initiated by Uzbekistan in 2017 has been successfully launched, contributing to the formation of common approaches and joint search for solutions to problems of regional security and sustainable development. An active, constructive political dialogue is becoming a key factor in strengthening mutual trust and the common responsibility of the Central Asian States for the present and future of the region.

A powerful impetus to the multifaceted regional partnership is given by cultural and humanitarian cooperation, in which various social groups of the population of Central Asian countries have been increasingly involved in recent years. Such dynamics, strengthening the perception of historical and civilizedcommunity in the societies of the states of the region, creates conditions for strengthening regional identity.

The countries of the region are building balanced relations with the leading states within the framework of the dialogue format “Central Asia Plus”. This practice has acquired a steady, regular character, contributing to strengthening the image of Central Asia as a unified, consolidated and strategically important region in the system of international relations.

In general, the main result of the implementation of the new regional policy of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was not only the overcoming of previously seemingly unsolvable contradictions, but also the formation of a powerful foundation for further promotion of regional priorities in the field of security and sustainable development.

In this regard, the renewal of the Constitution, which defines the trajectory of Uzbekistan’s transformation into an open, democratic, dynamically developing stable state with a strong civil society, determines Tashkent’s more active regional policy in Central Asia. This trend meets the long-term interests not only of the Central Asian countries themselves, but also of the entire international community, which expresses its support for the processes taking place since 2016 in one of the strategically important regions of the world.

Dr. Batir Tursunov, Deputy Director

International Institute for Central Asia


[1] Сенат одобрил проведение референдума по Конституции 30 апреля. https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2023/03/14/senat/

[2] Sebastian Schiek. Uzbekistan’s Transformation from “Old” to “Upgraded Autocracy”. 2018. https://www.cairn.info/revue-l-europe-en-formation-2018-1-page-87.htm

[3] В Узбекистане разрешили вещание более ста иностранных телеканалов (список). https://kun.uz/ru/news/2022/12/15/v-uzbekistane-razreshili-veshchaniye-boleye-sta-inostrannyx-telekanalov-spisok

[4] С систематическим использованием принудительного и детского труда в хлопководстве Узбекистана покончено. https://www.ilo.org/moscow/news/WCMS_838453/lang–ru/index.htm

[5] https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-a-press-availability-29/

[6] Стратегические реформы Узбекистана получают расширенную поддержку Всемирного банка. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/12/16/uzbekistan-s-strategic-reforms-receive-expanded-world-bank-support

[7] Reforms in Uzbekistan. https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-comments/2018/reforms-in-uzbekistan.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] UNGA Adopts Resolution on Strengthening Cooperation in Central Asia

https://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/analytical-articles/item/13532-unga-adopts-resolution-on-strengthening-cooperation-in-central-asia.html

[11] UNGA Adopts Resolution on Strengthening Cooperation in Central Asia

https://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/analytical-articles/item/13532-unga-adopts-resolution-on-strengthening-cooperation-in-central-asia.html

[12] https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-a-press-availability-29/

The Kazakh Spring

The Kazakh Spring.

As I am being driven along the highway from Almaty towards Taldykorgan, the billboard posters have been changed from the usual images of pop stars, safety information and Casinos to an array of big yellow ticks, the number 19 and lots of smiling citizens. Some are in groups representing political parties and some individuals as independent candidates, all for the forthcoming elections taking place on the 19th March. There are two elections taking place, legislative and local and I try to work out from the images, as they flash past, which elections the posters are for and what makes these ordinary people want to stand and represent their regions or even as a deputy in the Mijahlis (Parliament) of Kazakhstan? The party’s billboards show matching logoed sweatshirts, most other people are in suits, the men in ties (usually red!) and the women in formal business attire and all are smiling broadly. These seem  different images, to previous canvassing and indeed on the streets of Almaty I saw groups of young people handing out leaflets, and encouraging people to vote for their favoured candidates and again broad smiles.

The people will elect a total of 3,415 seats to 223 mäslihats (local assemblies) across all regions of Kazakhstan and although these seem to take up the most roadside space they are happening  alongside the legislative elections, with 29 seats in 19 regions of Kazakhstan. Many would say that the legislative elections are the most important  as these ‘electoral districts’ are a reinstatement of a system that was changed in 2007 and show part of the rapid political reform that has happened in the last two years. There does appear to be a real sense of change – maybe it is because we approach Nauryz -New day, the coming of spring after a long hard winter? Maybe it is more than that?

Maybe it is these reforms that encourage people to become actively involved? The presidential Elections in November or 2022 certainly had a more inclusive and ‘modern’ feel to them and President Tokaev’s emphasis on young people and the future generations is certainly making people more interested in politics.The choice of March the 19th is also not a coincidence – it is the fourth anniversary of  the first President – Nursultan Nazarbayev’s resignation and the catalyst that started the new political age in Kazakhstan.

I decided to head north and the best way to interact with local people is on a train. The second fastest overnight train from Almaty to Astana, and then beyond to Suchinsk, gives plenty of time to converse and get views. The audience is captive and the time enables trust to be developed. As we wobbled and rattled across the seemingly endless steppe,I was hoping normal people would share their thoughts.

The lead metal greyness of the dusk was tainted orange by the rising full worm moon. Its light paled to yellow and silhouetted the wormwood and dogwood shrub along the iron rails and the numerous reed beds shimmered gold in an unfelt light breeze. The further north we travelled the more the moonlight rippled on the ice and snow that stretched to the horizon but the warmth of the carriage and acceptance that the journey would take as long as it would take, should encourage interactions. I have always found it charming that Kazakhs have a brazen curiosity and a grey haired Englishman in an unusual situation could not hide for long even if he wanted to! First the children ‘break the ice’, wide eyed, smiling and shyly inquisitive. Then older children welcomed me to Kazakhstan with practice perfect English and then the mothers and babushkas brought tea and cakes and sweets. We laugh and smile and I use the excuse of International Women’s day to praise and congratulate them. I am lucky my travelling companion is a young Kyrgyz woman – Nazgul-  she translates perfectly and ,being Kyrgyz, has no hidden agenda. I wanted to know if the positivity I had seen on the streets of Almaty was reflected in the general population or if it was a marketing facade? I tentatively asked a group of young men, students going home for the holiday and from their responses it became apparent that there was real optimism and all were determined to vote in both elections. They all happily contributed. Nazgul struggled to keep up but it was positive and joyful. Listening to us, further down the carriage was an older man, probably in his seventies. He carefully joined us and with amazing reverence the younger men gave their seats, poured tea and then hung onto his every word. More tea and cakes appeared and a crowd formed in the corridor and the cabin. The older man waxed lyrical about the old days – a history lesson and a lecture about the development of an often misunderstood country. There was a matter of fact explanation from communism, independence until today. There was no animosity, no blame, no revenge, just how it was and how it is! Eventually he came to the last Presidential Elections in 2022 – “ it was the real start to change” he said “ and now we have the next step, more independent members of the legislature and more local people working for their own communities” He paused and put his hand on mine and looked me in the eyes. “This is what I have hoped for!” I could see into his dark soulful eyes and it was like looking back through time. Young men had their hands on his shoulders and I fully expected a round of applause – it did not come but more tea and cakes did!

The next part of my journey will be meeting the candidates and maybe then I will get the true answer as to what makes a person want to stand in elections and represent their region or community in 21st Century Kazakhstan?

THE EVOLUTION
OF BOROVOE VILLAGE

By the middle of the 19th century, the military-Cossack colonisation of the Steppe continued with less stress and risk. In 1849, not far from the Kokchetav mountains, the village of Koturkolskaya village was founded, and a year later its settlement Shchuchinsky arose. Twenty years later, 22 kilometres north of the village of Shchuchinskaya, on the banks of the Gromova River, the village of Borovskoy grew up.

The foundation of the village of Borovoye by the followers of Zubov dates back to the end of the 1860s but cannot be established more precisely. In 1878, the region was visited by the famous traveller-naturalist I.Ya. Slovtsov. According to his testimony, there were 10 houses in Borovoe “if we count, among other things, two collapsed dugouts.”

From the beginning of the 1870s, people from neighbouring provinces and regions travelled to the Borovskoye district in the summer to “treat with koumiss and breathe clean air”. The whole thing was not regulated by anyone, proceeded without the presence of doctors and was of an extremely primitive nature. The village of Borovoye until the beginning of the 20th century consisted of only a small number of small semi-dugout huts belonging to the families of the Koturkolsky millers and fishermen. The visiting summer residents were accommodated in Cossack huts and Kazakh yurts.

This continued until the early 1880s, when a retired Cossack, General Pakhomov, settled there and began to actively promote this beautiful place. He built two small barracks to meet the demand for apartments from summer residents. In memory of this, the people called the rock that rises near the place where those first barracks were built, Pakhomovka. This name still exists today.

The trip along the steppe dirt roads on horses and draft oxen did not promise any conveniences, and the impassibility in the region of mountains and forests frightened many. The construction of the Great Siberian Route (1896) did not practically improve the situation, when the nearest station, Petropavlovsk, was 267 km from Borovoe. All these factors held back the flow of sick people and vacationers alike. Mostly people of medium and small incomes came here, who involuntarily put up with all the inconveniences.
But, despite the above obstacles, at the beginning of the 20th century, more and more vacationers began to visit Borovoe. General Katanaev wrote about it this way: “Many people come here every year; sick and completely healthy, both from nearby places, and from Russia and far abroad. It is a fact. There are known multiple visits to Borovoye by persons who have been to the famous resorts of European Russia, the Caucasus, and Western Europe more than once before.”

By 1914, thanks to the arrivals of summer residents, the village already had up to 30 proper houses, half of them were two-story. The lower floors and outbuildings were most often occupied by the owners themselves or trading establishments, while the upper floors were rented out to summer residents completely or by the room. Next to this, planned plots were set aside specifically for summer cottages.

In addition to summer residents, representatives of big industrial capital also began to penetrate the region – near the resort on the shores of the Big Chebachy Lake, a large meat-packing plant was built, owned by the Englishman, Bergl, with a number of industrial enterprises (including fat-roasting, sausage, sawmill, and workshops). About a thousand workers were employed in these industries. On the lakes Oraz Ulken-sor and Oraz Dzharty-sor, the Kurgan merchant I.I. Menshikov was engaged in the extraction of Glauber’s salt for the needs of his glass factory.
At the same time, scientists began to take an interest in the Borovoye area: in 1884, the geodesist Colonel Yu.A. In 1894, Dr. N.V. Sobolev in the laboratory of the Omsk Medical Society analysed the water and mud of Lake Dzhanibek-sor, samples of which were delivered by General Ackerman, and in 1895 the doctor made a report at the Omsk Medical Society on the chemical composition of the mud and water of this lake. In the same year, for the first time, observations were made on the opening and freezing of rivers and lakes in the Borovsky region by teachers M.R. Krasnousov (Koturkolskaya village) and Dorogov (Shchuchinskaya village).

The time from 1896 to 1919 is called the “dacha period”. It is characterised by the fact that the state, represented by the Department of State Property of the Steppe Regions, which was set aside in 1894, began to regulate the external improvement of Borovoe. In 1897, V.V. Baryshevtsev was appointed manager of the state property of the Akmola and Semipalatinsk regions.

by Pavel Kossovich

THE KEY TO PARADISE
TORGYN JOLDASBEKKYZY

I cannot believe that she left us at the age of 37 in the last week of May 2022. I met her at Kitapfest in Almaty city in September 2019. It was our first meeting. I had already heard about her Facebook stories, some of them I found very thoughtful. Her stories were full of life and optimism. There she made a speech in front of her fans. She replied easily to the audience’s questions. She had a desire to write big things. I recommended she apply immediately for the “Culture in motion” grant from the Goethe-Institute to attend Frankfurter Buchmesse 2019. It was a big surprise for her. My goal was to show her the real atmosphere of the biggest book fair in Germany and let her see with her own eyes the best book industry giants in the world. Fortunately, we both won the grants and she went there assisted by the ever loyal Aigerim Nukpayeva.


I had understood her disease might stop her existence at any time, but I wanted her to leave only good books full of Torgyn’s love to the world. It became my mission to let Torgyn be heard by the Universe. The eighth Open Eurasian Book Forum and Literature Festival in Brussels announced Torgyn as the first place winner on “Short stories” nomination and it was a fantastic victory for us. My intuition worked very well, when we recollected that happiest of moments when her name was mentioned on the stage as the winner. I was sitting on the chair and could not move from my place while crying.

She worked hard to bring joy and emotion to her readers. After reading her books, even strong men burst into tears. She was a big motivator and a kind person. She published three books, the first and second book she could have published twice, and she was ready with the fourth book, but her sudden death did not let her do it.

The Pandemic period was also very problematic for Torgyn, but she shared her energy and optimism with people, and sent her kindness and love to them via her stories. They helped many people to value their existences in the life.

Before her passing, she had a lovely week in Burabay at the invitation of the ECG Administration to take part in the international art festival “The voices of friends” in May2022. It was her last trip and last meeting with the members of the ECG. She was very thankful to the ECG, especially to Marat Akhmedjanov. In order to remember her name, her friends and relatives are planning to publish a memory book called “Torgyn Bolmysy” in 2022 and one popular foundation in Kazakhstan “Otbasy hrestomatiasy” (Family Anthology) is planning to assist with it financially and publish her fourth book, too. ECG Vice- President Marat Akhmedjanov is planning to prepare a memorial plaque on the wall of the ECG Art Residence in Burabay. I was one of Torgyn’s close friends and her literary agent. I am very sorry for her loss as many of you will also be. We will remember you deep in our hearts! Al – Fatihah to you!

by Bakhtygul Makhanbetova

Review: Raisa – What Hurts My Heart

So much of the detail and truth of what the Soviet Union was is absent from discourse in the West and in the FSU countries. There are many reasons for this but first and foremost is the sheer weight of the political, military, economic, technological and sporting history in relation to the wider world and the West in particular. There are few examples of something cutting through all of that and providing a glimpse into the deeply personal and enchantingly human history of life in the USSR. ‘Raisa -What Hurts My Heart’ is a highly informative and unusually intimate account of perhaps the most famous woman of the USSR – Mrs. Raisa Maksimovna Gorbachaeva, the wife of the most famous president of the USSR, Mr. Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev.

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This book is a collection of transcribed interviews, with frequent commentary from the interviewer; and interspersed with letters and published interviews. It is extraordinarily direct, charming and compelling. The nature of life in the USSR is brought out in graphic detail; the hardships, the challenges, the distance between the Party and needs of the people – especially the provincial residents who, despite being regarded as the essence of what it is to be Russian were left short again and again.
Raisa charts her own childhood, her schooling, her university life, including travelling without paying for tickets on the Moscow Metro. She lays out the birth of her romance with fellow student and later husband, Mikhail – he even worked in the summer holidays driving a harvester to pay for their wedding, she borrowed shoes for that auspicious day, and so much more showing the human fragility and endearing nature of people. Raisa’s words are replete with references to great literature – she was a polyglot scholar who taught philosophy – the description of her in the writings of Margaret Thatcher is sublime.
The life and experience of Gorbachev himself is presented with so many insightful anecdotes. Perhaps for the first time we can learn about the man himself, his preparation over decades to eventually become General Secretary. We learn about the uniqueness, modernity and humanity with which he approached his service to the USSR and finally as President.
This book is remarkable in a great many ways; it is a succinct overview of aspects of the history of the USSR, it is a first-hand account of events major and minor from an intimate companion and confidante of the man behind nuclear disarmament agreements, Glasnost and Perestroika. And it is a love story between two people who are revealed as kind and thoughtful to all whilst they meet with the notables of many nations and international entities of every kind. It is a unique book, wonderfully uplifting to read and one through which a deeper appreciation of who the Gorbachevs were and what they meant to so many in so many regions of the USSR and wider world can be achieved.

— Afzal R. Amin,
Researcher International Relations: USSR,
Russian and Central Asian Affairs

TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS
AS AN INTEGRAL LINK OF THE DIGITAL
ECONOMY IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

The concept of digital economy is an activity directly related to the development of digital computer technologies, which includes services for the provision of online services, the most important of which are: Internet banking, Internet commerce, Internet marketing, Internet games, crowd funding, etc.

There are two approaches to the term digital economy. The first approach is classic: “the digital economy is an economy based on digital technologies, and at the same time it is more correct to characterise exclusively the field of electronic goods and services.” Classic examples are telemedicine, distance learning, the sale of media content (movies, TV, books, etc.). The second approach is an extended one: “the digital economy is an economic production using digital technologies.” Some philosophically interpret this term broadly: “the digital economy is a virtual environment that complements our reality”. The key factor of digital transformation in the activities of market entities is the development of digital culture.

Industrial companies have adopted a digital economy development strategy to strengthen their positions in the market: in 2000 – Denmark, in 2005 – Singapore, in 2008 – Australia, Hong Kong, Great Britain, New Zealand, in 2009 – the European Union as a whole, in 2010, Canada 2012, in Malaysia, in 2013 – South Korea, in 2015 – India.

Modern information and communication technologies are significantly changing all social relations, and we note with confidence that new technologies not only change the way of production of products and services, but also create new opportunities for the realisation of civil rights, self-realisation of the individual, gaining knowledge, teaching a new generation and spending leisure time. The measures of the State Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic are aimed at stimulating the development of the telecommunications and IT sectors, improving legislation and technical regulation. These are necessary elements for the successful development of digital infrastructure.

It should be noted, that domestic representatives of this market have been able to establish themselves as highly qualified specialists in this field. In particular, the IT company “Qoovee” represented Kyrgyzstan at the 5th Moscow International Forum “Open Innovations”, which was held on October 26-28, 2016 at the Skolkovo Technopark. In addition, Kyrgyz IT specialists are known as good performers in the global off shore programming market.

So, in June 2012, the head of the Board of Directors of Google, E. Schmidt, and the executive director of the analytical centre Google Ideas, J. Cohen, visited Kyrgyzstan. The purpose of their visit was to assess the potential of the ideas of Kyrgyz IT specialists and get acquainted with the Internet services market in Kyrgyzstan. After that, Google opened a division for Central Asia. Since then the President of the Kyrgyz Republic signed a decree declaring 2019 the Year of Regional Development and Digitalisation of the Country”.

The Kyrgyz Republic has achieved some success in digitising the electoral system, integration and interaction of state institutions through a single Tunduk system, some services of state institutions have been digitised and are available through a single electronic service portal to which there is access via Internet networks.

The success of the Kyrgyz Republic in the digital transformation of the economy is largely due to the joint movement of the EAEU countries towards the digital economy. Analysis by the World Bank showed “that the introduction of a common digital agenda significantly increases the growth of the EAEU’s GDP, and digital dividends will be $42.3 billion due to the removal of legal barriers, $1.6 billion due to the digitalisation of public procurement, $1.3 billion due to public services of open government, 0.5 billion dollars — at the expense of cross-border electronic state services.”

For the further development of digital technologies, both external and internal barriers are relevant. There is a group of internal barriers of a financial nature: insufficient budgets, high cost of projects, high costs of operating systems. External barriers are no less relevant, primarily related to the instability of the economic situation in the country, the insufficient level of development of ICT infrastructure, as well as due to the unwillingness of suppliers and consumers to use digital technologies.

Thus, the full-scale use of the achievements of digital technologies runs through all the components of the Strategy 2040 and the national priorities of socio-economic development of the Kyrgyz Republic. Kyrgyzstan will actively pursue reforms to create a competitive digital economy through the formation of really attractive conditions for entrepreneurs, the use of innovative and nature-saving technologies. The widespread introduction of information technologies in production and management should become a priority of the development policy. In accordance with section V of the Strategy 2040 “Priority directions of development of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2023”, digital technologies should be introduced as a priority in such areas as education, healthcare, tourism, agriculture, telecommunications, banking, light industry and construction.

Anarbekova Nazgul Anarbekovna

FROM THE FRONT LINE: THE UKRAINE CONFLICT
INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL SPECKHARD,
CEO CORUS GROUP

The Former Soviet Union has occupied Ambassador Daniel Speckhard’s professional career (and personal interest) since the 1990s. He initially served as director of policy and resources for the Deputy Secretary of State, overseeing and co-ordinating foreign aid funding. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union he was Deputy to the Ambassador-at-Large for the new independent states including Russia and Ukraine, and responsible for a range of political and economic issues. Becoming Ambassador to Belarus from 1997 gave him direct insight into the aftermath of independence, after which he was appointed in 2000 as NATO’s deputy assistant general for political affairs, covering not only the Soviet Union but also Eastern Europe (including Ukraine) and the Balkans. He is currently the CEO of Corus International, which was launched in 2020 as a parent organisation of several NGOs addressing global health and development issues. Following a recent visit to Ukraine, Open Central Asia ’s Editor-in-Chief, Nick Rowan, finds out more.

The horrific headlines emerging from Ukraine never seem to abate. As I dial into my call with Ambassador Speckhard, news has filtered through of further Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, destroying perhaps as much as 50% of the electrical power infrastructure. This threatens to plunge millions of weary Ukrainians into chilling darkness as winter approaches. If ever there was a time to pray for a warm winter, it is now.

I ask Ambassador Speckhard what his assessment of life on the ground is like, having returned recently from a trip to Ukraine’s front lines. “It’s hard for people to understand,” he starts cautiously. “They see the war pictures. All the rocket attacks and the destruction. It’s easy to feel empathy, but I don’t think people really understand the scale. There’s roughly 15 million people needing humanitarian assistance. According to the UN, 7 million people have left the country and 7 million are displaced inside. Many people forget the demographics. The reality is Ukraine is a very ageing population. When I got to Kharkiv, about 40 miles from the front, the shelters were filled with people in their 70s and 80s. Many don’t have families to go to. Many have chronic illnesses, in need of medicines.”

It is not just the physical illnesses. Speckhard continues, “The other thing I noticed is the psychological trauma. You assume that it’s there, but you don’t realise how significant it is. Many of the [elderly residents] moved to basements and stayed there for weeks, sometimes months, as they rode out the war. You can’t talk to these displaced people without them quickly falling into tears.”

Russia’s continued bombardment of crucial infrastructure such as power stations and lines, leaves a humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes. Many will feel overwhelmed and powerless to help, but Speckhard’s current venture, the Corus Group, aims to help ameliorate conditions for as many people as possible by giving them a place that is warm, as safe as possible and with access to proper healthcare.

“We’re creating a new NGO that we hope will be a model for the future,” he enthuses. “It is based on how you bring together specialised agencies and groups to create a technically sophisticated NGO that can take a more holistic approach to development, poverty, health and humanitarian challenges. We are trying to build capacity and knowhow with a holistic response, because what we find is that foreign aid is very stove piped. For example, money marked for health-related activities is only for health, rural development only for rural projects, environment for environment, and so on. But actually, if you go to a village, these people don’t just have one issue. If you fix the health problem but nobody has jobs, the people are still going to suffer.”

It’s a very valid point and one worth considering deeply as the world looks to rebuild Ukraine once hostilities have ended. Speckhard continues, “We’ve now got roughly five different groups working together on health, livelihoods, and humanitarian assistance. We then impact invest in companies with a direct trade group that brings products straight into us to try to reduce intermediaries and increase value back to the producers.”

“My goal is to keep knocking on enough doors so that the international community will start taking another look and see it’s really wrong to spend billions of dollars only on health. It should be allowed to be used on anything that can improve health outcomes.”

I shift back to Ukraine and the immense unity in both the Ukrainian morale in their existential fight, as well as that of the international community. This unity was hugely underestimated by observers, how come?

“What’s interesting to see is the more the Russians attack, the stronger the response by the Ukrainians is in terms of digging in their heels and not being willing to surrender. That has to do with a couple of things. Firstly, they believe their military is ultimately going carry the day. They’re throwing everything they have at it – they’re fighting to protect and save their home country.. Secondly, they have seen some progress on the battlefield that gives them a lot of extra hope, allowing them to come together as a community. That was amazing to me, just to see how everybody’s suffering, often worse than you could imagine, brought people together in the shelters, sharing what they had, openly supporting each other. Their social conscience understands resilience.”

So, what is Corus doing in the short and medium term to help? “We are focusing on the immediate needs in shelter, food and health, as well as trying to work with the ministries, ensuring that there’s good co-ordination across all the international actors. And here is the secret: trying to work within local structures and build capacity in the local systems. We’ve partnered with the Federal Trade Union, which touches the entire country and has enormous influence with different actors at the local, regional and national level. We’re using their infrastructure as a place for people to go for shelter as opposed to gymnasiums or school cafeterias. People have a little more space and dignity if they move there. Second, we’re focusing on the food, so making sure you get everybody at least one meal a day and then health, because many people have serious chronic sickness, as well as psychological trauma.”

I’m interested to understand how Speckhard’s time as a former ambassador and working in NATO has influenced the way he thinks. “The part that I worry about as a former diplomat, is the externalisation of this war. I was on an interview the other day with a member of Russia’s parliament who kept saying that this is essentially the US fighting a war against Russia. That language is really dangerous, because if Russia wanted to see a war between the United States and Russia, it would look a lot different. And nobody should want that, least of all Russia. So, we need to avoid this kind of externalisation. Clearly the US and European nations are providing military support, but it’s not US soldiers or European soldiers on these front lines.”

How does he see the war progressing? “What you see happening, is Russia looking to Iran and North Korea for more weapons. This is what to watch for in the coming months – how does Ukraine, and their supporters, try to build more symmetry into what’s happening. It can’t last forever that you can just lob rockets from a safe zone at no cost to Russia. We tried economic sanctions, but that’s not enough. My expectation is that people are going to be working very hard in Kyiv to ensure that there has to be a cost to Russia.”

In terms of how strong and sustained the West’s support has been, Speckhard is clear. “The reality is less about what the West does and more about what Russia does. Its brutal behaviour is what really keeps that solidarity. If Russia were at all pursuing a different kind of approach, like trying to propose truces and ceasefires, and maybe even having some unilateral ones for a day or two, they might change some of the perceptions of the allies that are supporting Ukraine. They have shown no desire or willingness to do that.”

So, what kind of future can we expect for Ukraine? “I think the country will stay fractured in terms of politics. I don’t think you’re going to see a pro-Russian government in Kyiv anytime in the rest of my lifetime..”

I ask briefly how Belarus’ role might play out given Speckhard’s former role as the US Ambassador to the country. “Lukashenko is walking a tightrope,” he starts. “He needs to be able to show Moscow that he is a complete ally of Russia, because otherwise he risks a similar fate as Ukraine. At the same time the Belarusian people have no interest in getting involved in this war. Belarusians have always hated war. It’s a country across which armies have marched through for the last few centuries. They have a saying there that says, ‘At least we have bread and salt.’ As long as you have bread and salt, you know you’re doing all right. So, they keep their heads down. I think Lukashenko knows that this would be a losing proposition for him with the Belarusian people. I think the Russians hopefully know as well that opening up a front along that 1,100 kilometre border is a bad idea.”

Before our hour’s call is up, and having covered so much ground, I finally ask Speckhard what he thinks Central Asia, and other former Soviet Union countries, make of the current situation and how they balance the geopolitical scales. Speckhard is hesitant at first but provides a few pearls of wisdom. “I think everybody has had their eyes opened as to the weakness of Russian conventional forces, however they have seen that there’s no weakness in terms of ability to punish civilian populations. So, these countries will be watching that side and know the brutality in terms of how Russia is willing to use artillery rockets, and other means, to destroy civilian centres and infrastructure. What I would expect them to do is be very respectful, but at the same time be working overtime to build new relationships. I would expect that wouldn’t include the United States. That’s too provocative, but certainly with Turkey, China, Middle East and Saudi Arabia.”

Nick Rowan
Editor-in-Chief at Open Central Asia Magazine

KAZAKHSTAN: REFLECTIONS
AFTER THE ELECTIONS

The elections in Kazakhstan have concluded and outside even the weather has warmed a little and the sun has melted some of the frozen pavements. The warmth is a slight respite before the real winter, but people are making the most of it. Wrapped and cocooned in layers, smiles and bright eyes peek from coat hoods. The frozen breath of laughter can be heard from children sledding on the hard packed snow in the playgrounds between the apartment blocks.

The televisual excitement of the previous few days has melted away too and life is back to normal. There is background chatter on social media from the usual active people with a mixture of ill-informed analysis and gossip. Misinformation abounds with the lists of candidates and the percentages of their votes appearing alongside memes and video clips of the people casting their votes. Some people openly show who they voted for, others show their children being lifted to be able to post the paper into the ballot box. All who voted seem keen to prove they voted and broadcast it. According to official figures 69% turned up to vote across the country.

Of the fifteen regions in this vast country, the highest voter turnout is in the Zhetisu Region, 81%, while the lowest is in the city of Almaty, with just 29% percent. Almaty, a former capital and major business and financial centre, had low turnout at the 2019 presidential election as well.

In Astana, the country’s capital and centre for the Akmola region, where the majority of the world’s press have been based, the turnout is reported to be 79%. Many people, however, when asked said they had not voted. One of those who said they did vote, an older woman who was out carrying her grandchild, said she had voted because ‘it is important for this generation!” waving the cradled child like a doll. Other young people asked “What’s the point ?” but would not reveal what they really meant. A group of young women keen to practise their English were happy to talk – two of them had voted but the other two had not. Aigerim, one of the women who had voted, said “It’s not just a right but a responsibility to make sure your voice is heard”. When one of her friends asked who she had voted for she was less forthcoming. But they all agreed that it had been good to see female candidates and they believed that at the next election a woman would win! “We need stability at this time,’’ said Gaughar, the other of the women who had voted.

This attitude about ‘the next time’ became a common theme in conversation. One of the candidates posted that she was pleased to have been part of the process and that, although she had not won, she was being encouraged to continue in politics and stand again – apparently by senior figures in the current administration. But that opportunity will be seven years away and the world may be a very different place by then. It is back to normal, but the challenges that lie ahead in this region need to be met by the new administration.

You might be wondering who won this election. The current president with 81% of the vote.

“It is right he is back in Akorda (the presidential palace) so that he can solve the current problems and lead us forward for the next few years,” Gaughar added as they shuffled off chatting and filling the frozen air with their voices.

There is a real sense of optimism that Kazakhstan has a bright future, in many people’s eyes an important future on the world stage too and, although the expected change voiced by many before the election did not materialise, maybe Gauhar is right stability is what is needed now. We will see what happens ‘next time’!

by Gareth Stamp
Chairman of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London)

Editor Word

Happy New Year!

Black swan events are supposed to be unexpected, of large magnitude and consequence, and very rare. Perhaps once a decade or once a generation events even. But recent years have seemingly thrown up one black swan event after another that have impacted the world in far reaching and profound ways. The world is still dealing with the aftermath of the financial crisis, Covid-19 and the current impacts from the Russia-Ukraine war, including rampant inflation as well as the humanitarian impacts. 2023 promises no let up in potential for continued volatility and upheaval, with up to half of the world potentially entering a recessionary phase at the time when the globalized world we once knew is starting to close in on itself again. I was pleased to see the back of 2022, but “unprecedented” has become the new normal it seems. Governments no longer have a reliable playbook on which to make policy, needing innovation and action on the fly – which will lead to unexpected and potentially unpleasant outcomes. People no longer have the security and certainty that has been prevalent in many societies for decades. In short, what we know from the past bears little resemblance to our present and future.

Central Asia has been no exception. It has felt the impact of all these events. The violence in Kazakhstan in January 2022 seems an age ago today, yet uncertainty and the potential for violence and geopolitics to come to bear in the region, as internal pressures escalate, remain. The question that hangs over all of the Central Asian republics is how the situation in Ukraine will resolve itself and what that means for each republic in terms of its relationship with its neighbours, and the world, in the future. How the republics ally themselves between each other is one thing, as well as how they handle the complicated relationships with Russia, China and the US/EU. Higher energy prices have increased revenues and benefitted the resource rich nations of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. So too have remittances remained stable for other countries as demand in Russia for migrant labour surges following a major demographic shift in the country as a result of the partial mobilisiation of its youth.

The problem for Central Asia, however, is that its economy is still heavily tied to Russia. If Russia’s economy implodes then the region’s economic resilience will be tested. The instability and insurgency that remains in Afghanistan, bordering the region to the south, will likely have repercussions while the insurgency threat remains high. China’s end of its Zero Covid Policy might open new economic opportunities, but it is not clear that the region is a priority for Beijing that has many other issues and priorities to face up to first. The upsides exist, but the downside risk looks to remain a bigger issue – 2023 looks to be as challenging, maybe more so, than 2022.

In this issue we cover a lot of ground in the region both economically, politically and culturally. I was personally delighted to have been able to interview both Kazakhstan’s new Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Magzhan Ilyassov and former Ambassador Daniel Speckhard who has just return from Ukraine to understand his view of life on the ground and what his charity has been doing to help those who need it most. I was also able to attend the Hertfordshire Press awards at the end of November and meet up with former colleagues and many old friends. And I am thrilled to read of the reports of the Open Eurasia Literary Festival that took place in Melbourne, Australia, on the other side of the world. Congratulations to all this year’s winners and participants.

Please do keep in touch and I look forward to seeing many more of you in person over the year.

Enjoy the issue!

Nick Rowan
Editor-in-Chief
Open Central Asia Magazine

UZBEKISTAN’S NEW REGIONAL
POLICIES AND REFORMS

Uzbekistan’s economy is going from strength to strength. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) expects the country’s GDP to show 6.5% growth in 2023 – higher than the 4.9% forecast for the overall Central Asia region. One of the key actors that will support this growth is a new focus by president Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s government on developing trade and other business relations with its neighbouring countries – and also with other states in the wider Eurasia region.

At Mr Mirziyoyev’s annual address to parliament in 2022, the president noted: “We will continue to pay a priority attention to the strengthening of multifaceted, mutually beneficial partnership with all our neighboring countries in Central Asia, our Strategic Partner Countries and international organizations.”

New opportunities in Central Asia
Businesses in Uzbekistan have been cooperating more with the neighbouring republics since the start of Mr Mirziyoyev’s presidency in 2016. In the last five years the volume of Uzbekistan’s trade with the other four Central Asian states has more than doubled. But it is only in the last year, as incoming investment from Russia and China has fallen away, that this
has been spoken of publicly as a distinct policy.

In his address at a round-table of ambassadors and representatives of international companies in December 2022 – an event at the resort town of Archazor named “The New Uzbekistan: a reliable partner in a changing and interconnected world” – the Uzbek minister of foreign affairs commented: “In recent years we have managed to bring relations with all the states of the region to a high strategic level, through our joint efforts to form an entirely new, positive atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation. Uzbekistan and brotherly neighbouring countries have embarked on joint industrial co-operation projects, the creation of effective value-added
chains, and the development of transport and energy infrastructure.” The minister added: “[The policy] is based on adherence to the principles of international law and an aspiration to peace, good-neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation and the strengthening of regional stability and international security, all of which are in Uzbekistan’s national interests.”

The projects that the minister alluded to include several ventures with the region’s largest economy, Kazakhstan. In December 2022 the countries signed a further 40 bilateral agreements worth $2.5 billion at an Uzbek-Kazakh business forum in Tashkent. One contract for $80 million centres on the two countries’ joint work to repair the Angren-Pap-Kokand-Andijan-Savay railway section, a key trade route in the region. Uzbek and Kazakh companies are also working together to implement artificial intelligence software in the Uzbek healthcare sector, as well as more traditional business, including trade in aluminium and food products.

In Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s Temir Yollari JSC has opened a joint project office for the two countries to coordinate the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan
(CKU) railway. This project was conceived in the 1990s, but had made very little progress due to the historically strained relations between Tashkent and Bishkek. The CKU has been
resurrected in recent months, as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have found common ground, both governments realising the practical need for greater cooperation between the Central
Asian states. In total, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan reached $1 billion for the first time in 2022, thanks also to projects in the industrial, energy, electrical
engineering, agriculture, transport and other sectors.

Mr Mirziyovev’s government has also considered the issues of further deepening Uzbek-Turkmen relations of strategic partnership, enhancing cooperation in economy, trade, industrial cooperation, energy, transport and logistics, activation of interregional contacts, cultural and humanitarian exchange. Since the beginning of the year, the volume of mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has grown by 16%. The joint cooperation projects are being implemented in various sectors of the economy, including light and electrical industries, agriculture and water management, transport and others.

Afghanistan, which for many years played the role of a buffer, a watershed in the global confrontation between global powers and regional centers of power, is now trying on a new consolidating mission, bringing the positions of different players closer together on the basis of common trade, economic, transport and communication interests.

The path to peace in Afghanistan: the contribution of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan’s policy of ensuring peace and stability in the region has not abandoned Afghanistan. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said: “It is important to prevent isolation of Afghanistan and its transformation into a ‘rogue country’. Uzbekistan is a leader in regional efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The Termez Regional Humanitarian Logistics Centre, located two kilometers from the border, plays a huge role in supporting UN emergency operations in Afghanistan. The Afghan Citizens Education Centre, established in 2017 by the Government of Uzbekistan, provides a wide range of higher and vocational education and training for Afghans living in Termez, including girls. Uzbekistan has completed a project to rehabilitate the Mazar-e-Sharif International Airport in Afghanistan. Uzbekistan is the main supplier of electricity to Afghanistan – 2.7 billion kWh. (52% of the electricity imported by Afghanistan).

New strategic ties with Europe.
The Uzbek government is also looking to strengthen partnerships with countries further afield. In 2022 Samarkand hosted the first conference between Central Asia and the European Union, entitled “EU-Central Asia Connectivity: Global Gateway for Sustainable Development”. At the conference Uzbekistan, again represented by foreign minister Norov, expressed a hope that ties between Central Asia and the EU would continue to develop, with the transport and green energy sectors mentioned as possible fields for cooperation. In keeping with the conference’s theme of connectivity, it was announced that the European delegation had proposed a new project to improve digital connectivity in Central Asia.

As promising as the short-term picture may look for Uzbekistan’s regional policies, there are still some significant barriers to be overcome for these new initiatives to be sustained. High rates of inflation within the country may limit Uzbek companies’ ability to invest in foreign projects, while the biggest projects in the region still depend upon cooperation from China and Russia to succeed. But nonetheless, in Central Asia today, Uzbekistan is unrecognisable from the indifferent and difficult neighbour that it used to be known as.

by Jonathan Campion

OPENING A NEW CHAPTER
OF PARTNERSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING FOR KAZAKHSTAN

INTERVIEW: HIS EXCELLENCY MAGZHAN ILYASSOV,
AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland were established on 19 January 1992, with the Embassy opening in the UK in 1996. Thirty years on, relations continue to be as strong as ever. On 6 October 2022, Magzhan Ilyassov was appointed as the new Ambassador to the United Kingdom. His appointment, by President Tokayev, comes at a time when enhancing trade, economic and investment co-operation between the two countries could not be more important to both sides. OCA Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Nick Rowan, had the pleasure of discussing some of Ambassador Ilyassov’s priorities and experiences since arriving in the UK.

King Charles III receives His Excellency Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Court of St. James’s during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London. Picture date: Thursday December 15, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL King. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Ambassador Ilyassov has always known he wanted to be a diplomat. Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and having been schooled at one of the few Soviet and Kazakh universities that was intensively teaching the English language, a life of diplomacy was a natural path. Ilyassov worked his way up the diplomatic ladder, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promoted to several departments within the presidential administration for 19 years, before being appointed as ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Netherlands in 2016. During his time there he was also the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which involved much multilateral diplomacy on very challenging chemical weapons cases, including the Skripal poisoning in the UK. In 2020, Mr Ilyassov was promoted to New York as Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, before he arrived in the UK in October 2022.

I wanted to start by understanding what drove Ilyassov to a career in diplomacy. He starts without hesitation, “I saw that Kazakhstan in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, became a truly independent country. Before then all real foreign politics and diplomacy was controlled by Moscow. There was no real foreign policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan whatsoever. I graduated from my high school in 1991, so attended the last school class of Soviet Union before it disintegrated. I saw this happening, and I said to myself, ‘Well, we have independence. We have sovereignty, we will exercise our own foreign policy.’”

Ilyassov’s arrival in the UK came during a year of huge global upheaval and uncertainty. It was a time where diplomacy was more important than ever. However, his arrival also came just a few weeks after the death of Her Majesty the Queen and that meant that he was one of the very first ambassadors to present their credentials to the new King Charles III. I was keen to hear more about his experience at Buckingham Palace.

Ilyassov’s eyes light up. “It was exciting, because not every day do you present credentials in a beautiful setting with its royal protocol. I was proud to wear national costume at the ceremony. We were properly briefed on what to do – how many steps to take, when to bow, and so on. When the doors opened, I saw His Majesty for the first time and proceeded with the presentation of my credentials. He was actually the least protocol driven person in the whole setting, because the ceremony itself revolves around the King. He was there very confident, very welcoming and very well briefed. His Majesty asked about my family and settling in London. We spoke about global challenges to the environment and the future of green energy. The King vividly remembered his visit to Kazakhstan all the way back in the nineties. I briefed His Majesty about several joint projects between Kazakhstan and the UK, including one that successfully helped to save the endangered steppe Saiga antelopes.”

Although King Charles is the head of state, he is typically briefed to be apolitical, but I wondered whether such topics were broached. “We generally touched upon politics,” Ilyassov comments. “In a very royal way he said that in these turbulent times, we need more understanding, more diplomacy to solve the things that are going on around the world. And that was his message.”

Ilyassov couldn’t resist officially inviting the new King to visit Kazakhstan again. “I said, ‘Your Majesty, the invitation is always open.’ He chuckled and said, ‘Well, we’ll see how it goes.’”

We move on to explore how Ilyassov sees his new role. It’s a nice bridge because he recalls how he put it to King Charles. “I told His Majesty that my mission here is also to make sure that people in UK remember that Kazakhstan is not just a former Soviet republic,” he recalls. “We had history before the Soviet Union. We had our own history and a statehood 500 years before that.”

Ilyassov’s mission is more than just reflecting on past glories, however. “Kazakhstan is a country of great opportunities,” he starts. “A country that is well on its track with political and economic development. We are the powerhouse of the region. Last year we celebrated the 30-year anniversary of our bilateral relations with the UK, which was one of the first countries to recognise Kazakhstan’s independence. For 30 years we’ve been building very robust political, trade, economic and cultural relations. We have very intensive contacts at the top political level. We have 600 British companies and joint ventures operating in our country, so my mission here is to build upon that platform. I also want the UK business community to know that there is much more than oil and gas in Kazakhstan: for example – mining, agriculture, transport, logistics, and education. My task is to upgrade already fruitful relations to the level of a truly strategic partnership.”

One of the topics of reform that is most live is that of political reform happening in Kazakhstan today with upcoming elections a key focus. Ilyassov is well briefed and clear. “The political reforms that President Tokayev started last year are very systematic and well structured. We are going step-by-step following the tragic events of January 2022, which triggered the need to reconsider and take appropriate measures both in internal politics and the economy. We had a national referendum on whether to amend our constitution. We had presidential elections and re-elected President Tokayev. There were six candidates running, with two women for the first time. Now the President has a full mandate for the next seven years. One of the amendments was that from now on any president can only be elected for one term of seven years. There is no second term, so no need to think about re-election and being populist. Then we had elections to the Senate recently, and now we are looking to the upcoming elections to the lower chamber, the Mäjilis, which will eventually complete the institutional transformations and redistribution of authorities and powers.” It is clear that Ilyassov believes this eventually will lead to a more responsible and responsive government.

The Ambassador is also keen to put the record straight on how current events in the region are on the radar of the country’s government. “We are very clear on the situation on Ukraine. We do not approve what’s going on. And our President was very clear that Kazakhstan will not recognise Lugansk and Donetsk. We are not Russophobes, we just do not approve of the war in Ukraine. Kazakhstan is an independent, constructive and objective country when building relations with partners around the world, be they our neighbours, like Russia and China, or further afield like the UK.”

I ask if current geopolitics make this a more urgent and new priority, but Mr Ilyassov immediately corrects me. “I don’t see it as new and urgent because Kazakhstan from the very beginning of its independence has exercised multivectoral diplomacy. Since 1991 we were very open and clear that we want to build good relations with everyone around the world.”

As the interview approaches its conclusion, I ask about his cultural mission in the UK and bringing Kazakhstan’s culture to new audiences. I press him to try and name the one thing we should know about Kazakhstan and his answer is refreshing. “We have a lot of cultural roots, and some fundamental values that we will always keep, but we are not an outback country somewhere in Central Asia where people live in tents and ride camels. People in the UK should understand that we’re very modern and have much more in common than we have differences. For example, I discovered a year ago, the whole new world of modern Kazakh Indie pop. We have many young singers; they all sing in Kazakh language and the tunes are very modern. This shows where we are after 30 years of independence. So, we will continue focusing on that and, hopefully with the help of the Eurasian Creative Guild, we can organize some great events to help the UK audience to discover some new music waves from Kazakhstan.”

I agree wholeheartedly with this refreshing approach and leave the ambassador the last word. “I think we are really writing a new chapter,” he says with optimism. “A lot has been done, but there is more to do. My counterpart in Astana, British Ambassador Katie Leach, is very proactive. We are working together very closely. I hope that the work we’re doing will eventually sink into the local political and cultural circles so that by the time I’m done, people will stop calling Kazakhstan, just a former Soviet republic.”

Nick Rowan
Editor-in-Chief at Open Central Asia Magazine

SUPPORTING KAZAKHSTAN’S
‘GREEN TRANSFORMATION’

INTERVIEW: Her Excellency Cathy Leach, Ambassador to Kazakhstan

Ms Kathy Leach started her role as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan in August 2021. Previously she was Deputy Director, Constitution and Devolution, Europe Directorate in the FCDO. From 2012 to 2015 Kathy served as Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia. Kathy is married and has 3 children. She speaks Russian and French, has learnt Japanese and Armenian, and is currently learning Kazakh. OCA Magazine finds out more…

OCA: Please tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be Ambassador to Kazakhstan.

Cathy Leach: I became fascinated by the history of Russia and the Soviet Union while I was at school, with a brilliant history teacher called Mr Sherman. I applied to Cambridge University to study Russian and French. A month after going to Cambridge in the autumn of 1989, the Berlin Wall came down – it felt like a whole range of new, exciting possibilities were opening up. For my third year I wanted to spend the whole year really improving my language. I arrived in the Soviet Union in September 1991, a month after the attempted coup, to study and live with a Russian family – a few months later, the Soviet Union no longer existed, and I saw the beginning of the extraordinary, unexpected journey to create 15 independent countries. In 2001 I passed the entrance exams to join the Foreign Office.  Since then my career has taken me to Moscow, Tokyo, Yerevan and now Astana – working on lots of different areas from energy and climate change to human rights, from security policy through to trade relations with the EU.  This posting as Ambassador in Kazakhstan feels like it draws on all the experience I’ve had – and it has happened at a really important moment, as Kazakhstan seeks to work out a new path, a new political and economic approach, 30 years after independence.

OCA: Prior to this posting you were Ambassador to Armenia, which shares a similar Soviet history. What did you learn there that you can apply in Kazakhstan?

CL: There is of course something familiar about the post-Soviet world – the buildings and the bureaucracy are similar!  But I think overall the really important lesson is that actually every country in this region is very different, shaped by its unique history and its unique culture. You just need to find a way to get past the bureaucracy to connect with those people who really want to make a difference. And you need to keep generating ideas and contacts so that when an opportunity arises, you are in a good place to seize it and make the most of it.

OCA: You also spent time in Moscow with the Foreign Office. Given the current political climate how will that affect your work with building UK bridges in Kazakhstan, a close neighbour to Russia?

CL: Of course it helps my understanding and my effectiveness at work to know Russian and to understand the history and politics of the region. For Kazakhstan, it’s important that I understand the many personal, cultural, economic, historical and political ties there are with Russia, and how we can work together to try to avoid harm to Kazakhstan during the incredibly difficult geopolitical challenge created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  Kazakhstan’s prosperity, security, independence and sovereignty have always been important to the UK, and this is even more important today.     

OCA: What are your priorities for building UK/Kazakh relations and economic ties?

CL: Since British companies were founding stakeholders in Kazakhstan’s flagship international oil and gas projects, for many years this sector was the most important one for our Embassy.  But after our COP26 Presidency, our goals have become more ‘green’.  My big priority now is – together with partners – to support Kazakhstan’s ‘green transformation’: modernising, diversifying and greening its economy.  On the commercial side, this means focusing on clean tech and green energy, critical minerals and climate-adaptive agriculture. It also means focusing on education – promoting better English teaching, and more Higher Education links.  Together, these are really important economic components supporting the ‘New Kazakhstan’ President Tokayev has outlined.   

OCA: How have you settled into Kazakh life and what are your particular favourite Kazakh pastimes and cultural aspects?

CL: I’m enjoying living in Astana, but I think I need to travel more to really understand Kazakh pastimes and culture!  That is my ambition for the coming year. There was a brilliant exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge last year, celebrating the amazing finds from the burial mounds of East Kazakhstan – and the National Museum in Astana is my favourite building – so I am really keen to explore Kazakhstan’s extraordinary archaeological history. 

OCA: What can the embassy do to help build closer cultural ties to Kazakhstan?

CL: To celebrate Burn’s Night (the birthday of celebrated Scottish poet Robert Burns) this year, we have been running a competition to translate ‘Ode to a Haggis’ into Kazakh.  This has stimulated so much interest! So, I think we should definitely do more to share English and Kazakh literature.

OCA: Where have you travelled within the country and where have you found particularly resonates with you?

CL: I love Almaty – such a beautiful, interesting, walkable city.  I feel very at ease there.  My children and I also had a wonderful few days last summer seeing the lakes and mountains in Almaty region. I found it incredible how the scenery could change from the Arizona-like gorge of Charyn Canyon to the Switzerland-like lush green hills around Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, just an hour or two apart. Driving up to the high summer pastures was a truly unforgettable experience.    

Rotary Fountains in the Heart of Eurasia

Rotary Fountains in the Heart of Eurasia

Our attention was attracted by a wonderful project in the city of Almaty – the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Almaty is a crossroads of civilizations, one of the important and longest points of the Great Silk Road and a key centre of charity in the pre-Soviet and post-Soviet periods of its history.

The First Rotary Club in Kazakhstan: History

It is not a coincidence that exactly here, among the first Rotary Clubs in the post-Soviet area, the Rotary Club of Almaty (RCA) appeared back in 1995. RCA has had a series of remarkable projects – including mass support and diagnostics campaign for children with epilepsy – for the Public Fund «Ken Jurek», complete re-equipment and modernisation of the special kindergarten#2, providing hospitals of the city with new ambulances and equipment, giving incubators for premature babies to maternity departments and perinatal centers of Almaty.

In cultural life, RCA has always been a conductor of refined social events – Viennese balls, creative evenings with participation of international celebrities, performers, singers and has acted as a partner of cultural days to key partners of Kazakhstan in the cultural arena – Italy, USA, France, Great Britain, and Turkey.

28th Anniversary of the Club

And to honour its 28th anniversary, the (RCA) will carry out a very noble and deserving project to place Rotary drinking fountains in the city of Almaty with futuristic designs, anti-freeze functions, drinking bowls for animals and inclusive facilities for disabled people. Twenty-seven will be erected, according to the number of years of the Club’s existence. The crown of the grandiose plan will be the Main Architectural Fountain of Almaty – Arman-Bulak (Dreams source) – whose prototype is the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The Roman example was chosen completely consciously: there are more than 3500 drinking fountains in the Italian capital. Visitors and residents do not even need to buy water, such is the density of fountains per square meter. 

The Origins of the Idea

Almaty is the largest and most populous city in Kazakhstan and the centre of tourist flows with a very hot climate and a constantly growing territory. Due to climatic features the megalopolis seriously lags behind many regions in the provision of drinking fountains. In addition, clean water, sanitation and hygiene education are essential for a healthy environment and productive life.

Drinking fountains are a whole new level of comfort for citizens and guests of the city, a driver of tourism development, returning comfort to the city – historically, Almaty has always been the most “fountainised” city in the Asian sector of the former USSR. However, in recent years, the trend has been pushed aside by more pressing issues of infrastructure development and undeservedly forgotten.

Fountains: From Planning to Implementation

The RCA’s bold vision is now becoming a reality. The club, represented by Altynay Beissembiyeva (President 2022-2023) and her team took a course on integration of efforts with local authorities alongside the Mayor’s office (akimat), it’s head Mr Erbolat Dossayev and the Department of Public Health of Almaty. An MoU was signed stating that projects would be jointly run together with local authorities.

Erbolat Dossayev (Mayor of Almaty), Altynay Beissembiyeva (president RCA), Nataliya Drobysheva & Vitaliy Koltochnik (members of Board RCA)

Thus, this year 2 incubators will be handed to two perinatal and neonatal centres in Almaty. The Fountain Project will be the first joint collaboration with the Governor’s effective office managers and many others are to come in future.

The Faces of the Project

Amir Kabulov, Fountains Project leader, dedicated Rotarian, architect and designer. He is a graduate of Politechnico de Milano in the field of HoReCa public space design, known for his creative solutions in the world capitals of culture – London, Paris, Cannes and Milan.

Architect of the project – Ricardo Andrea Marini

Ricardo is the author of the reconstruction of Panfilov Street, one of the oldest in the historical center of Almaty, and many landmark projects in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. Previously he worked in the team of the famous Danish architect Jan Geil in Kazakhstan.

Ricardo Marini is a big fan of drinking fountains as an element of urban aesthetics and comfortable urban environment. His hobby is to photograph drinking fountains around the world and place them in virtual exhibitions. After hearing about the Almaty Rotary Club’s project, he immediately fell in love with its idea and  decided to take part in it as a designer.

Gulmira Baigabulova, owner of Urban Living, Member of the Public Council of the City of Almaty

Famous Italian expert on architecture and urban planning, director of playmaking at Urban Living (flagship of the architectural business in Kazakstan) under the guidance of the famous urbanist and public figure of Almaty, Gulmira Baigabulova, partner and co-executor of the project.

Cultural Renaissance – as a new paradigm of Rotary Club of Almaty

The first fountain dates back to 3000 B.C; it was a goddess holding a basin. Water was sourced from a local spring. Early fountains used gravity instead of mechanical pumps to move the water. As we moved to live in urban settlements the way we gathered potable water needed to change. The ancient Etruscans, Romans and Greeks started to develop drinking fountains as part of public infrastructure.

The reality of providing water fountains in a city such as Almaty is to ensure that during all season’s water will be available. The provision of water fountains is an essential component of a ‘city for people’, it also is a great way to reduce single use plastic, that is so problematic in modern cities. There is also a cultural, spiritual, mystical and religious significance of drinkable water “offering to the water gods” meaning that today the phenomenon of throwing coins in a fountain still exists as an offering to these ideas. In Rome throwing one coin means you will go back to Rome, 2 coins means you will meet a Roman, and 3 means you will marry one! The Trevi fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world. The city gathers approximately 3000 euros a day from fountains alone!

Almaty fountains get a special meaning in the context of the events that shook the world in January 2022. The January events left a deep mark on the perception of Kazakhstan and its southern capital. The city experienced enormous damage to the security, beauty, architectural look and economy of the city.

The Rotary Club of Almaty set a goal to return Almaty to its former comfort and sense of safety and harmony, to support the development of the native city in the spirit of sustainable development goals and the revival of the rich cultural and historical heritage of the southern capital. Almaty Fountains solves the problem of access to drinking water, combines the tasks of climate control, access to drinking water, zoo protection and social inclusion. It symbolises the permanent process of purification and renewal. It is an impetus for the development of tourism and the local economy.

Vitaly Koltochnik

Сlub secretary and chairman of the PR committee of the Rotary Club of Almaty

The Turkic World: A Concept of Co-operation Between Central Asian Countries

The Turkic World: A Concept of Co-operation Between Central Asian Countries

What is the modern concept of co-operation between the Central Asian countries and why is the Turkic world, according to many scientists, a promising concept of such co-operation? We try to understand this issue in this article. Considering historical retrospect, we note that the territory of modern Central Asia, in the XIX century, was in the sphere of interests of the Russian tsar, who established a protectorate over this territory to protect his southern borders. Later becoming part of the USSR, the territory of Central Asia was divided into five Soviet republics: Uzbek SSR, Kazakh SSR, Tajik SSR, Turkmen SSR, Kyrgyz SSR.

The advantages of living in the USSR included the large-scale construction of schools, hospitals, factories, irrigation facilities, and infrastructure facilities that are still functioning today, industrialization and literacy. There were also plenty of  disadvantages: together with other Soviet republics, the Central Asian republics experienced the “charms” of collectivisation, repression, authoritarian rule, and most importantly, forced Russification: in all republics, the official language was Russian, which caused a natural discontent of the indigenous nationalities of these republics. For example, a young man from the Uzbek hinterland, where the Russian language was not predominant and was not taught well enough at school, experienced difficulties in studying at a university and further building a career due to insufficient knowledge of the Russian language.

The collapse of the Soviet Empire radically changed the life of the countries of the region. Currently, the Central Asian countries have a fairly high economic and demographic potential, as well as a convenient geographical location for the transit of goods from Europe to Asia and back. The attractiveness of the region for many leading world powers has led to rivalry between them for influence on the countries of Central Asia. Thus, the EU and the US are seeking to strengthen their influence, while Turkey, Iran, India, and China are seeking to strengthen their positions in the east. Russia also does not want to lose influence in Central Asia, considering this region to be a historically established sphere of its interests. Russia needs to maintain its influence in the region in order to realise its political and economic interests, in particular with the development of energy resources and maintaining a monopoly on them, using this factor as a lever of pressure on both the leaders of the Central Asian countries and their Western partners.

China, like Russia, is aggressively promoting the idea of a multipolar world, preparing itself for the role of one of its centres. The countries of the region are also in the orbit of Chinese interests, due to the need for the Chinese economy to have access to energy resources and oil and gas reserves.

Despite the multi-vector policy of the Central Asian countries and their desire to maintain relations with Russia and China, there is an obvious trend towards co-operation of these Turkic countries.

The integration of the citizens of the Republic of Turkey with the countries of Central Asia was brilliantly foreseen by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who wrote: “Today, the Soviet Union is our friend, our neighbour, our ally. We need this friendship. But no one can predict what will happen tomorrow. The world can achieve a new balance. We have brothers with one language, one faith and one core. We must be ready to integrate with them. To be ready is not just to be silent and wait for this day. How are the nations preparing for this? Keeping the spiritual bridges intact. Language is a bridge… Faith is a bridge… history is a bridge… We have to go down to our roots and join our history, divided by events.” That is, more than a hundred years ago, Ataturk predicted the integration of the Turkic countries based on the values of the Turkic world. The collapse of the USSR and the formation of independent states with a predominantly Turkic population, from the position of the Turkish leadership, provided a unique chance for the Turkish Republic to expand its zone of influence.

The Turkic world, as a special historical reality, was formed in the Middle Ages. The ancient thinkers of the East (Abu Nasr al-Farabi, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khorezmi, Abu Rayhan al-Biruni) laid the philosophical, ideological, moral foundation of the concept of the Turkic world. The values of the Turkic world include freedom and independence, morality, justice, responsibility and tolerance.

The Turkic world is being strengthened in regional and international politics thanks to the active policy of the Turkic Council, which is an inter-governmental international organisation established for comprehensive co-operation of the Turkic-speaking states. The Turkic Council includes Turkey, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

An example of co-operation between countries within the framework of the Turkic Council is their interaction during the coronavirus pandemic, when member countries and observer countries agreed to create a “green corridor” to facilitate the crossing of borders by people and essential goods, medicines and medical equipment. In 2021, the Turkic Council was transformed into the Organisation of Turkic States. Co-operation between the countries of the Turkic world has a huge potential, since 300 million people speaking Turkic languages live on the planet.

The co-operation of the countries within the framework of the “Turkic World” concept is aimed at achieving the following goals:

 – convergence of economic policy and all relevant regulatory frameworks;

– achieving full trade integration;

– creation of a single investment space;

– digital integration;

– Improvement of transport and energy links between the countries of Central Asia.

The countries of the Turkic world are striving to create a single transport space, which is necessary to increase trade turnover between them. Turkey has started transporting its goods to Central Asia, developing trans-Caspian routes and deepening co-operation with the Caspian countries. In December 2020, a new export route from Turkey to China was opened, passing through Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.

Co-operation between the countries of the Turkic world is promising and long-term. The program “Vision of the Turkic World-2040” developed by representatives of the Organisation of Turkic States of the countries is the basis for co-operation and considers a set of measures to be implemented in the period up to 2040.

Thus, it can be concluded that co-operation between the Central Asian countries and the Republic of Turkey is based on spiritual, cultural and linguistic community, on the common values of the “Turkic World”.

The growth of foreign trade of the Turkic-speaking countries is due to the involvement of Turkish business in the implementation of important industrial and infrastructure projects. Trade with Turkey is also beneficial for the Central Asian countries, as Turkey is a growing market.

Tatyana Konyakhina

Higher education in Finance. Freelancer.

Book Review: ‘Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb’

Book Review: ‘Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb’

Kazakhstan – for 30 years a reliable security partner for the West – has said little of the Soviet nuclear legacy that befell it upon the breakup of the Soviet Union. This previously untold story of its abandonment of nuclear weapons is now told in a new book, ‘Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb’ by Togzhan Kassenova. 

The book is so much more than the title suggests. Through a historical lens, Dr Kassenova explores the fault lines in relations between Russia, Central Asian states, other former Soviet republics and the West. It is a thrilling account of one of the most significant geopolitical events in history: Kazakhstan abandoning its nuclear capacity in pursuit of peace and stability. The book is the culmination of more than a decade of painstaking research by the author, whose own father was one of the architects of Kazakhstan’s nuclear policy. 

Book Review: ‘Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb’

The development of nuclear weapons from scientific, political, technical, logistical and social perspectives is laid out in chilling detail. Aspects include what motivations drove scientists to explore unleashing the energy locked in atoms, to how they were treated by the Military hierarchy of the Soviet Union, to how they themselves treated the unwitting victims of their experiments.

The competition between the two superpowers to increase yields year after year brought huge costs (yield being the energy released in a detonation). Air detonations from testing caused immense harm to local populations, the environment, plants and animals. Yet both the Soviet Union and the USA pursued development with barely any consideration of the harm to unwitting victims who were exposed to such detonations, the radioactive fallout, and fatal contamination of their food and water supplies. This commonality of suffering gave birth to the Nevada-Semipalatinsk movement where natives of Nevada, USA and Kazakhstan travelled, campaigned and dined together during a historic peace march through Kazakhstan. The symbol of this movement was a Native American elder sharing a peace pipe with a Kazakh elder. This is a highly moving account of the subaltern peoples of both superpowers finding common ground as victims and empowering each other’s resistance. 

The Soviet Union’s leadership under Stalin and his successors disregarded Kazakh concerns about the health impact on civilians and the environment. Internal campaigns within the Soviet military, medical and political circles to address concern also failed. Medical staff were involved in the decades of secrecy as cancer rates soared, and remained high throughout 40 years of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan. Many of the stories of what effects people suffered are harrowing. And yet today there are still people suffering the consequences. One of the few contemporary political points in the book is that more must be done to support this fourth generation of victims.

As the Soviet Union broke up, four republics inherited the nuclear arsenal: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The Kazakh leader, Nursultan Nazarbayev, had opted, it seems from the beginning, for a non-nuclear Kazakhstan. He faced enormous challenges: possession of nuclear weapons was seen at the time as a guarantor of a nation’s security and some argued as much; the weapons and materials were under Russian military control and Nazarbayev wanted to ensure that they would not be used from his country against his will or without his knowledge. Also posing issues was the physical security of the weapons and materials, as well as international pressures to sell weapons and materials. Nazarbayev deftly handled all of these challenges and was regarded by the USA as the most capable leader in the post-Soviet space (he had been asked by Gorbachev to be the Prime Minister of the Soviet Union just before its collapse). One of the most spectacular episodes was codenamed Operation Sapphire in which Nazarbayev and his team worked in complete secrecy with the US Government to safely move 600kg of highly enriched uranium from a storage facility in Kazakhstan for safe keeping and processing in the USA. This operation has all the hallmarks of a great spy thriller and is a permanent testimony that Kazakhstan demonstrated what a reliable security partner it is for the West.

Kazakhstan showed global leadership when it embraced the Non-Proliferation Treaty by willingly giving up nuclear weapons and being committed to being a non-nuclear state. Kazakhstan’s responsible decision gave strength to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and showed the world that a non-nuclear choice can give a country a better path of development. That this has so rarely featured in our discourse in the West is a senseless oversight. 

Dr Kassenova’s book is superb in many ways. In the mid-80s I was a schoolboy in the English suburbs, I remember the films we watched about nuclear war and the drills we carried out at school should the UK be attacked by the Soviet Union. The Cold War’s end offered the hope of a more peaceful future. Sadly, conventional war has continued unabated, but we have not seen nuclear war, at least not yet. This is not an accident and Dr Kassenova credits a few key individuals who worked for decades to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and materials. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the geopolitics of nuclear weapons and how they have shaped the world in which we live.

Afzal Amin

Economic developments in Kazakhstan

As the world’s economic woes are broadcast across the media and governments and, financial institutions battle the potential recessions some developing nations are seemingly faring better. The Covid pandemic and war in the Ukraine have, undoubtedly, been the cause of many worldwide issues but how are some countries and regions more able to weather the storm than others?

In central Asia for example, the growth of the Kazakhstan economy did slow in 2022. It reached 3.4% year-on-year in the first six months, from 4.1% in 2021. In 2023-24, GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 3.5 and 4.0%, according to the World Bank – such projections would be warmly embraced by many Western governments. The current situation builds on impressive economic growth from the early 2000’s driven by the first generation of market-oriented reforms, abundant mineral resources extraction, and strong foreign direct investment. Sustained economic growth has transformed the country into an upper middle-income economy, raising living standards and, as a result, reducing poverty. Indeed, Kazakhstan is still seen as a great place to invest for foreign organisations.

The slight recent slowing of economic growth has made some people question the resource-based and state-led growth model, and they wonder if this raises the risk that Kazakhstan could become stuck in the “middle-income trap.”

Individuals have aspired to become the ‘middle class’ – this is particularly evident in the cities, with property and vehicle ownership skyrocketing in the last fifteen years. Although Astana the ‘new’ capital is a unique example, here the building boom and investment in infrastructure has not always been able to outpace the population growth and number of vehicles on the roads. Local people are judgemental about the development of the city – “this road is only just finished and already we are sitting in a traffic jam” one taxi driver said to me on a slow journey from the airport – however I had just come from London and had a similar experience!  There has been investment in public transport but people still point to the skeletal structure of a light rail system that was supposed to be ready for the EXPO that took place in 2017. Other issues are the number of schools and facilities being built to cope with an exponential influx of people from surrounding regions but interestingly this need is partly being met by local benefactors actually building schools and then donating them to the city.

In Almaty, the country’s second city, there are also traffic jams and regular complaints across social media about the slow progress, pollution and how some social projects such as pedestrianisation of some streets have not alleviated the situation as promised. But the city still feels very European and there is a ‘greening’ revolution going on! – sometimes the change seems slow if you are there day to day but as a regular visitor I have seen positive change in both cities.

As the population seeks greater personal status, the state needs to provide the infrastructure for this to happen. There are many more diagnostic systems in place to identify real needs and as a result it is recognised that Kazakhstan needs to strengthen competition and human capital, and improve public sector and state owned enterprises performances. The country is actively continuing to initiate reforms in fuel and energy pricing, strengthen social protection, and invest in climate adaptation. The forthcoming Elections give the populace an opportunity to directly comment on this with all candidates identifying economic development as a key issue. Whatever the outcome of the election there is transparency of the issues and systems and plans to help solve them.

As I travel back to Kazakhstan I obviously have a nostalgia and wish for the way things were but it is very interesting that I am experiencing new things and a willingness of people to improve what was there – for example, a small restaurant in Astana, that we used for an escape, has now become quite ‘posh’ with an investment in decoration and expanded service but thankfully the Shashlik is still excellent !

Views on Early Presidential Elections in Kazakhstan

By the time the milky sun manages to burn off the early morning frozen mists blanketing  Astana over ten percent of the population have voted in these presidential elections, called early to secure a nation’s mandate and future direction.

Even as polling stations opened at  7am, there were queues in the snow covered, freezing streets. Old people bundled up with fur lined boots and multiple layers of grey cloth, families with children in buggies, small children eager to put their parents ballots into the perspex box that sits at the centre of each polling station. There is genuine excitement hanging in the frozen chatter filled air. There is anticipation.

 Astana is my second home and although it is the second coldest capital in the world by climate, it has to have the warmest people – welcoming and eager to share their culture, experiences and history and today I feel this is a part of their history.

There is also an irony in being here to cover the elections as a journalist. Some years ago I was asked to be an extra in a film here – playing a journalist! I remember that the weather was similar and, in a particular scene set in 1991, we had to clamour around an actor playing a newly elected First President asking about what reforms he intended to introduce – I was a stereotypical ‘hack’, the only foreigner and as a result I was heavily dubbed in the final movie.

Things have certainly changed. In 1991 there was only one name on the ballot -Nurzultan Nazarbayev –  and he won 98% of the votes. Today there are six candidates, including two women and there is an air of expected change. Kazakhstan is a rapidly developing digital nation which was described as ‘an envy’ from one international observer – so we, the journalists, have a computer filled media centre, beaming the story around the globe as it happens. The TV is showing an “Online Marathon’ of entertainment, comment and regular updates of voting numbers across the fifteen regions of the country. The concept is an interesting one, designed to inform and entertain but also to encourage people to vote – especially the young. Kazakhstan has an interesting social demographic with more young people than old, which contrasts markedly with western countries. This has its own challenges, one of which is voter engagement.  The elections are supported by an army of young volunteers, many too young to vote but all are well informed and know their roles. Smiling, keen to practise their English and even keener to be involved in the democratic process and their own future.

As I walk from the media centre across the frozen pavements, the sun has truly broken through and the coming winter is held off for a few more hours. The call to prayer sounds out from the golden dome glistening ‘old’ mosque and people fill the streets going about their business, heading for a mall, enjoying the outside time and many of them are going to vote.

by Gareth Stamp

OCA MAGAZINE Deputy Editor

Ongoing political reforms to build a New Fair Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is about to reach a major milestone in its democratic development. While elections have taken place regularly since our independence in 1991, the upcoming presidential election on November 20 can be considered one the most consequential for the future of democratic politics in Kazakhstan.

This year has been the most tumultuous in our recent history. Our country was first rocked by the tragic events in January, when Kazakhstan suffered an armed coup attempt. Just over a month later a conflict erupted in Ukraine, indirectly impacting our country’s economy. Yet despite these challenges, our nation began writing a new chapter of our political development. In March, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed constitutional reforms to transform our country’s entire state model and form of government by limiting the powers of the President, strengthening the role of parliament, enhancing citizens’ engagement in political processes, and further strengthening the protection of human rights.

77 percent of our citizens voted in favour of these constitutional amendments in a June referendum. This was a demonstration of what a New and Just Kazakhstan represents – our firm commitment to democratic principles and an increased role for citizens in state decision-making. Thanks to the deliberate dedication of our people to democratic development, our nation has become a leading light for economic, social, and political reform in the post-Soviet space.

The implementation of concrete reforms has ensured that we are on firm footing as we look to a bright future. Our economic initiatives are focussed on diversification, de-monopolisation, and ensuring a fair distribution of the national income. Significantly, as per President Tokayev’s proposal, the presidential term has been reduced from two five-year terms to a single seven-year period without the possibility of re-election. This initiative will eliminate the risks of power monopolisation and strengthen the basic principles of democracy.

Given these substantial constitutional amendments and reforms, in September, incumbent President Tokayev decided to seek a democratic confirmation of his mandate for the fundamental transformation of Kazakhstan over the next seven years. Our country is changing at a swift pace, and it is important for our citizens to voice their opinion on the future direction of the nation. The election will offer an opportunity to reflect on the three years of Tokayev’s presidency, and to consider whether the people are on board with the vision for a New Kazakhstan.

This election will also be one the most diverse in our nation’s history. Six candidates are running with varying political views, including representatives of the opposition, giving the electorate extensive choice. In addition, for the first time in our history, two female candidates are running for president. This is another important step in Kazakhstan’s ongoing democratic development. Over many years, Kazakhstan has been taking concrete steps to ensure gender equality and to promote women’s role in business and politics. We are now witnessing the fruits of these efforts.

Kazakhstan’s presidential nominations process is designed to be open and fair. For example, all candidates must receive signatures from 1% of Kazakhstan’s registered electorate – around 118,000 people equally representing at least two thirds of regions, cities of republican significance and the capital. Six candidates, representing different policies and visions for the country, have received support from many citizens. This is further evidence of democracy at work.

Of course, it is crucial to ensure that the election will be free and fair. It is not a secret that our region is still developing the necessary democratic mechanisms to ensure completely open elections. Nevertheless, I believe that Kazakhstan is demonstrating that it is going beyond the general expectations. President Tokayev promised that the election will be held fairly, openly and with the broad participation of domestic and international observers. Previous elections were monitored by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and numerous other international organisations. Kazakhstan has always welcomed observers and their constructive feedback, and we look forward to welcoming them again for the upcoming election.

Given the significant global geopolitical challenges, the upcoming vote is not just important to Kazakhstan, but to the international community as well. As a country located between Asia and Europe, we play a key role in facilitating trade between the two regions. Given our diplomatic ties with all sides, we are also ready to contribute to the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine in any way we can. From the economic perspective, our government has also been vigorously improving Kazakhstan’s investment climate, making us the top investment destination in the region. I have no doubt that our government will continue on this path after the inauguration of the new President.

In January our countries celebrated the 30th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations. In this relatively short period we strengthened and expanded constructive political dialogue and diversified cooperation between our countries.

Efficient institutes of bilateral cooperation such as Strategic Dialogue, Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and Business Council foster our partnership. Inter-parliamentary ties between our countries are deepened through the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kazakhstan.

The UK is one of Top seven investors in Kazakhstan, with 16.2 bln. USD invested so far and a potential for growth. Currently, more than 600 joint-ventures and representative offices with British capital are operating in Kazakhstan, covering all sectors of economy from oil and gas, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, as well as education, financial and professional business services and hi-tech

Over the last 30 years people of Kazakhstan have built a stable, prosperous, and inclusive society. Exercising our democratic right through a national vote will help to strengthen what we have achieved. Given the strong foundation, I have every reason to be optimistic about the future relations between our countries.

By Magzhan Ilyassov

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom

of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Kazakhstan Anticipates The 2022 Presidential Elections

On 1 September 2022, during the State of the Nation Address, President Tokayev announced snap presidential elections to take place, insisting that a “new mandate of trust from the people” was necessary as a basis of his decision. The ‘need’ for these elections comes after nearly three years of unrivalled political turmoil, intrigue and dissent in a country that has not only been at peace but is also seen as the peacemaker since its independence in December 1991.

The last Presidential elections in 2019 saw seven registered candidates, making it the election with the largest number of presidential candidates in Kazakhstan’s history. The nominees from political parties and public associations included Dania Espaeva, the first Kazakh woman to officially participate in elections.

Campaigning was focused on a number of issues including, the legacy of former President Nazarbayev’s policies and the current political system, in which presidential candidates proposed solutions from further democratisation and decommunization to the development of the nation’s values.

Tokayev’s victory was marked as the first peaceful transition of power in Kazakhstan’s history,despite “significant irregularities’ being observed on election day, including cases of ballot box stuffing, and a disregard of counting procedures meaning that an “honest count could not be guaranteed.” said the OSCE in their Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions.

On 12 June 2019, Tokayev took the oath of office during a ceremony in the capital, Nur-Sultan, where he pledged to protect the interests of every citizen and consider any proposals and initiatives that would be put forward by political and community leaders.

Fast forward to November 2022 and the country seems a very different place – widespread unrest in January – described as a ‘Coup D’etat’, the purging of Nazarbayev’s supporters not to mention the effects of the Covid pandemic, inflation at previously unseen levels and a neighbouring country involved in a vicious military conflict,  have all made their mark on the psyche of the everyday Kazakh. People are openly discussing and questioning the authorities, something that was unheard of under President Nazarbayev, and they are  wanting answers and solutions.

At the November 2022 elections there are six candidates registered, two women and four men and despite the short time frame canvassing has been carried out feverishly, on many of the same issues as in 2019! Feelings are running high and many ordinary people believe that this could be the first truly free elections in Kazakhstan’s history but many have their reservations believing that new constitutional powers allow for ‘window dressing’ and the old order being returned to power, in particular younger people appear disenfranchised.

The elections are being overseen by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) which has opened its election observation mission in Astana. The mission, headed by Urszula Gacek, consists of 11 international experts and 30 long-term observers which would be deployed across Kazakhstan from 26th October and that an additional 300 short-term observers would arrive several days before polls open on the 20th November.

To quote the disputed Chinese curse- “May you live in interesting times!” – from my own experiences Kazakhstan has always been interesting but these are very interesting times indeed!

The Interactive Map as a visual documentary database of collective memory about Sharaf Rashidov and how it helps in the educational process.

The Interactive Map as a visual documentary database of collective memory about Sharaf Rashidov and how it helps in the educational process.   

November 6th, 2022 is the day of the 105th anniversary of the birth of an outstanding statesman, politician and diplomat, poet and writer, who led Uzbekistan in a difficult period, Sharaf Rashidovich Rashidov.

The period of his leadership is considered one of the best in the history of Uzbekistan. He was one of the highly educated intellectuals of the Soviet era, a man who could be called a sign of his time.  The phenomenon of Sharaf Rashidov as a talented statesman has yet to be studied.

During his leadership, new industries were created, such as space, chemical, gas, uranium and electronics. The first microelectronics enterprises emerged. 70% of the world’s unique radio telescope RT-70 was built as a result. During this period, about 100 research institutes operated in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan, under his leadership, has made a huge leap in the development of the economy, science, social sphere and culture. He was the initiator of the organization of the International Conference of Solidarity of Writers of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Sharaf Rashidov opened Uzbekistan to the world, its ancient history, rich spiritual treasures of great enlighteners and scientists, places of pilgrimage. Everything he had done was a solid foundation for an independent Uzbekistan.

In connection with the anniversary celebration, the Sharaf Rashidov Foundation initiated a number of projects, including the project “Interactive Map” – as a visual documentary database of the collective memory of Sharaf Rashidov and his activities, which was developed together with a Russian company “Creative Team”.

The Foundation’s goal was to show the work of Sharaf Rashidov as an outstanding statesman, politician and diplomat who led the country during the Soviet period from 1950 to 1983. Sharaf Rashidov was one of the highly educated and intelligent leaders of the Soviet era. Even today, it is difficult to imagine the scope and results of its activities – during this period 9 cities were created from scratch, 37 districts were originated, 3 regions (oblast) and 77 villages were granted the status of city. The Foundation has collected all data from the family’s public, private and personal archives to examine the real scope of its activities. This are a unique footage of film chronicles, photographs, interviews with eyewitnesses of the development of new lands. The project differs from the existing historical electronic databases in that it is an interactive form with historical information on a graphical basis. The platform is a kind of reference. It presents data on that era and activities of Sharaf Rashidov from the 1950s to the 1980s, and the map-scheme shows administrative boundaries – cities, regions, villages, and economy. The project is a good visual aid for studying the new history of Uzbekistan for the younger generation.

July 29, 2022 in Samarkand State University named after Sh. Rashidova the presentation of the Interactive Map was held. It was donated to the University for the further use  in their educational process. In the future, the Fund plans to increase the functionality of the project and to provide the public access to it.

Author and Project Manager: Muminov Iskandar Talibovich, a chartered geographer, graduated from the Tashkent State University, specializing in Geography.  Author and co-author of more than 45 scientific publications.  He worked in the Research Institute of Space Instrumentation, National University of Uzbekistan.

TUIT: Convergence of digital technologies in education

TUIT: Convergence of digital technologies in education

… In order to achieve progress, we must master digital knowledge and modern information technologies. It will allow us to traverse along the shortest route of progress. Since, at present the information technologies are deeply penetrating all spheres in the world … (Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Oliy Majlis (January, 2020))

In the Age of the Race of Tech Giants, it is sometimes easy to lose the sight of the meaning of more and more modern technologies being developed. In the technical world, the directions are so closely intertwined that it is not uncommon for disputes between professionals to determine the primary source of technology development. In all this boundless whirlpool of knowledge, the goal of the educational institution is to distribute the boundaries clearly, develop a logical chain, a methodology for optimal explanation to the student, and at the same time introduce additions and updates to the curriculum in a timely manner, and also, taking into account the availability of new technologies, be able to integrate them into the educational process to improve the quality of education.

Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi (TUIT), founded in 1955, provides educational services both in the classical form of education and in the modern interpretation of the approach to learning. For its long history, TUIT is a university that sets standards and requirements in IT-education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, based on the rapid development of technology in the world community. Introducing world experience and interpreting it taking into account the strategic regional goals, TUIT pursues ambitious ideas in the near future to transform into a Central Asian scientific and educational IT-HUB.

Over the last decade of the 21st century, TUIT has brought up dozens of generations of highly qualified specialists, modernizing curricula and developing new directions that meet the requirements of the world standards of its time. Pursuing the goal of strategic territorial development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the university made tremendous effort to fill the need for sufficient number of highly qualified IT-personnel in every corner of the country, opening branches in such cities as Nukus, Urgench, Samarkand, Karshi, Fergana and Nurafshan. Moreover, the Nurafshan branch is in the process of implementing a scientific and educational IT-cluster, which provides an opportunity to train highly qualified personnel, taking into account global trends in the IT-market.

Dominance of TUIT in the transition to the credit system (ECTS) is the result of special attention to the quality of education in the preparation of IT specialists and close interaction with foreign training systems. This approach opened up wide opportunities for cooperation both at the student level and in the faculty focus, which made it possible to unlock the potential of the university in the global educational and research community. Throughout the activities of the university, versatile cooperation with international organizations in various directions has been achieved, in particular, in 2019, a project with JICA worth more than one and a half million US dollars was successfully implemented and introduced into the educational process; in 2020, despite the economic crisis during the global COVID-19 pandemic, the university and the Samarkand branch, in cooperation with KOICA, developed an integrated SMART UNIVERSITY system worth more than 3 million US dollars; in 2021, in the Fergana branch, in cooperation with NIA, a project was launched to create an INTERNET ACCESS CENTER in the amount of more than 1 million US dollars; in 2022, a joint project with KOICA began to create a startup ecosystem in TUIT worth more than 5 million US dollars. For the first time in the history of the Republic of Uzbekistan, TUIT has become a grandholder of the SPACECOM project under the Erasmus+ EU program in the amount of about 1 million euros. 

To meet the demand of society in the rapidly developing IT-sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan, TUIT makes maximum efforts to create new opportunities for both students and academic staff. In this regard, three new educational buildings, sports complex were put into operation within three years, and extensive work is underway to increase the total capacity of university dormitories. 

The challenge of a new technological revolution requires higher education to provide quality education taking into account the global trend, which has led TUIT to pay special attention not only to maintain the existing good infrastructure and the availability of highly qualified personnel but also to cooperation in creating new educational programs, including the development of new educational content and scientific laboratories, such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Mechatronics, Data Science, Internet of Things, etc.

Today, one of the more productive forms of learning in the context of digital transformation is the use of distance learning technologies that allow scaling the learning process regardless of territorial affiliation or language differences. At TUIT, the academies of world leaders in the IT-industry, such as CISCO, ORACLE, and HUAWEI, are available to students and scientific applicants for the implementation of distance learning. Moreover, TUIT is one of the first universities in the Republic of Uzbekistan to develop a distance learning system for its students.

To increase the quality and quantity of innovative projects created among talented youth, TUIT has become an advanced University that has opened an incubation and acceleration center that creates favorable conditions for the emergence of effective small innovative projects that implement original scientific and technical ideas of students.

Quality education is primarily based on the study of the theoretical part and only then the application of the theoretical base in practice. TUIT has its own educational and methodological database, which is constantly updated in paper and electronic form. For the convenience of the student at the university, the opportunity is provided to study both in traditional form in libraries and via the INTERNET network using any electronic device, which allows the student to connect to the university’s electronic library from any place convenient for him. In addition, TUIT has organized information and resource centers that provide a wide range of free services for all university students.

Ensuring the future, Education provides an intangible value that will allow us to solve any problems in the current or future reality. World events that are rapidly developing at the interstate level today show how important it is to raise a generation that knows all the intricacies of its profession and is able to creatively approach the solution of issues where the IT sphere is a sphere that has become a link at all levels of development and interaction.

Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi has always pursued the goal of providing the Republic of Uzbekistan with the most advanced personnel in the field of ICT, and more recently, strategic plans have been scaled to the Central Asian region. The University, on the way to achieving its goals, always keeps the doors open for the modern generation and will become a close mentor who will lead his ward by the hand to the highest achievements for the benefit of the whole country and the whole world as a whole!

Rector of Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi:

Makhkamov Bakhtiyor Shukhratovich

Doctor of economic sciences, Professor

QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION IN RUSSIA

QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION IN RUSSIA

Disclaimer: this article is based on the author’s personal experience of 10 years working in the educational system of Russia and represents the personal opinion.

The question of assessing the quality of education itself is not new. However, in the period “before FES” (Federal Education Standart), almost all methods were aimed specifically at assessing the quality of education (or rather, the “level” of education) of educational programs recipients (students). Of course, in addition to academic performance, many other things were assessed within the legislative framework, but it was carried out in close correlation with the number and quality of educational achievements of the students. 

THEORY OF SYSTEMS

Now the FES has made the orientation towards the achievements of preschool children meaningless (but maybe for schools it’s not so unequivocally). Therefore, we are no longer talking about assessing the quality of education as a product, but about assessing the quality of the functioning of the education system. In addition, the understanding of what the “system” is in general and the education system in particular also lies in the field of fundamental research and theoretical research. And, from the point of view of a preschool teacher-practice, the entire conceptual base (system theory) doesn’t refer to his daily work at all. The same can be said for most practice managers.

It’s obvious that the system is a plurality of elements in communication with each other, which forms a certain integrity, unity. It is also clear that the sum of the system elements is not equal to the system itself (as the parts of LEGO in the box are not a building), and that the state of the system depends on the state of each of its elements (if the car’s engine breaks, the entire car stops driving). In theory, everything is logical, and there are no problems. However, in practice, a systematic approach is being implemented with difficulty.

PROFESSION OF THE FUTURE

In the period “before FES”, the education system most closely resembled a certain production line aimed at creating such a product as a “successful specialist”. From the moment of admission to an educational institution (kindergarten or elementary school), the child’s path along this conveyor began. And periodic knowledge testing and other diagnostics replaced the industrial quality control procedure.

The FES changed everything. Firstly, it determined that the educational process is not a technological cycle, but the result of the relationship of its participants: children, their parents, teachers, social partners, experts, agents of the sphere, etc. So the educational process itself goes into a state of constant dynamics based on the development of the relationship of living beings. Secondly, the FES shifted its focus from the list of directly educational tasks to creating conditions for the deployment of the educational process. As a result, we get a classic definition of an ecosystem – a biological system consisting of a community of living organisms, their habitat, a system of connections that exchanges matter and energy between them. So maybe the manager of the educational organization should be more of an engineer for the restoration (and development) of ecosystems (one of the top required professions in the future), and not an administrator?

“LIEBIG’S BARREL”

Since it is possible to assume that the field of education is a kind of ecosystem, we can also conclude that it is also subject to the law of the limiting factor (Liebig’s law of minimum), which says that the factor that deviates most from the optimal value is most significant for the body. If it is easier to explain, then the ecosystem will collapse if it is too hot/cold/dry/wet/dark/sunny, etc. This law was formulated by the German chemist Justus von Liebig, and a figurative representation of this law is named after the scientist – the so-called “Liebig’s barrel”.

The essence is that when filling the barrel, water begins to overflow through the smallest board in the barrel, and the length of the remaining boards no longer matters. The role of the limiter can be taken by any factor (one or more), while this role can move from factor to factor, including in a circle. If one or more factors make a sharp qualitative jump, then the rest accept the position of the limiter. For example, if in kindergarten there are wonderful teachers with a salary quite average in the region, but the building and equipment are too old, then the environment will become the limiting factor. Let’s say this kindergarten won a grant, or maybe someone came to power who decided to re-equip preschool institutions, and in the kindergarten they made repairs and brought the most modern equipment. Teachers don’t know how and therefore are afraid to work with new equipment. Now the role of the limiter is played by the low (relative to the environment) level of competence of teachers (and, possibly, managers). When the teaching staff undergoes training and increases its qualification level, begins to use new means of implementing the educational program, the environment really “works,” but now highly qualified teachers don’t want to work for the “average” salary. There are, of course, many more such factors in the education system, but it seems that at the moment there is simply no clear description of this ecosystem and its internal ties. 

TECHNOLOGY MIGRATION

One of the brightest global trends of the last ten years is the phenomenon of technology migration. For example, the transfer of the principles of biology to the technical sphere led to an attempt to create AI based on a neural network (repeat the concept of the brain in hardware). Technology is “migrating” from one area of human activity to another at an ever-increasing rate. This is mainly due to the fact that the development of global information networks has accelerated access to almost any data source. Now people, on average, once every 5-7 years (and this period is decreasing to every 3-5 years) change not only the place of work, but also the industry, and technologies often “migrate” together with their “carriers”. Therefore, a new formation of “successful specialists” appears – specialists who are trained and retrained all their lives. If our parents and previous generations grew up in the paradigm of accumulative specialty (the longer a person works in one industry, the more experience he has, the more valuable he is as a specialist), and our generation followed the path of adaptive specialty (gaining experience in the course of constantly changing activities and trying to understand which is now better), then the generation of millennials (Z-generation) no longer makes sense to consider from the standpoint of the specialist at all. 

They have a different attitude to the choice of educational strategy, since they know for sure (or, in any case, feel) that they will have to retrain in their professional life and radically change the professional sphere at least three to four times. This is a generation of metamorphic specialists who don’t so much adapt to new conditions as change in accordance with the requirements of the profession. How is this related to kindergartens? First, metamorphism requires a free, flexible and thinking person with a rich imagination and the ability to analyze and synthesize. It is known that the “backbone” of the main mental processes is formed in preschool age. Secondly, the teacher is also a specialist. And the field of education is also permeable to “external” technologies. And metamorphic teachers are already showing themselves to be more successful in their work than their “mono-profile” colleagues.

by Taina Kaunis

The qualification of the teaching community 

The qualification of the teaching community 

The responsible work to strengthen the independence of Kazakhstan and to develop high spirituality and citizenship in the country is through education. The problem of organizing such a large-scale work is first of all closely related to the comprehensive retraining of teachers. The experience until today shows that the goal can be achieved only if the improvement of their qualifications is carried out in a controlled manner. Currently, all the necessary conditions are being created to improve the profession of the national intelligentsia, which will shape the new face of the society, and to awaken the sense of humanity.

Educating the young generation to spiritual morality, creating new educational content that contributes to the formation of their world-class, worldview, mastery of the basics of knowledge and skills is an urgent problem in the general education system.

Today, teachers are given the opportunity to selectively use new technologies and freely use the results of their own methodological creative research. Today, teachers contribute to the enrichment of educational content by turning advanced technology into an excellent experience.

Raising the qualification of the teaching community to such a level and improving their knowledge is directly related to the institute of professional development.

Systematic improvement of the professional skills of teachers, thus opening the way for comprehensive creative search, pointing the direction, creating conditions required the original entrepreneurial spirit of the institute team.

This process was the main goal of the work plan of the “Institute of Professional Development in Atyrau region” branch of “Orleu” BAU” JSC, which has left its 70-year history behind today.

The Systematic work organized by the institute is showing its results. The implementation of creative works aimed at satisfying the needs of life and human needs in the education system of our region and the best experience had a great impact on creating positive changes. Because the successes we are proud of in the field of general education are primarily due to the hard work of our teachers, who devoted all their energy and knowledge to the interests of the people and the education of the young generation. At the same time, the implementation of the planned work of the institute, which directly contributes to the dissemination of their experience and further their strengths.

In addition to the organization of various professional development courses, methodological consulting services and methodological support of teachers were not included in the agenda.

According to the order No. 56 of the Atyrau Regional Board of Education dated February 14, 2002, the Regional Institute for Improving the Education of Teachers in accordance with the needs of the times is called the Atyrau Regional Institute for Improving the Qualification and Retraining of Personnel. This period made the issue of support in the system of improving the qualifications of school teachers more central.

Of course, time does not stand still. News, changes in the years after the country’s independence, during the period when the country entered the world-class education system, the requirements for the employees of the industry, the system of actions to be performed and the system of actions were changed and renewed.

However, it is also true that regardless of the changes, the activity of the institute was a strong foundation in the methodical provision of the continuously developing general secondary education system. Learning from the past, and at the beginning of the new period, the search, education and qualification of teachers on the way to the country’s world-class status is the most important issue.

Adapting the educational work in educational organizations to a new content, clarifying the goal of education in the form of expected results, technologicalization, information, creating and improving the content of the scientific and methodological complex in accordance with the chosen direction and forming the innovative orientation of the team. If there are urgent issues, the work of the institute is directed towards these goals.

Guided by the changes and requirements in the system of education and training, joint and cooperative work with the teachers of the region is being systematically carried out according to the plan.

Today’s requirement is to improve the work of teachers in the field of professional innovation and methodical direction, to improve their qualifications in accordance with changes in life, to form a professional personality, to contribute to the improvement of the quality of work carried out outside the classroom, and to increase the activity of pedagogical social activities.

The methodical work of the institute is based on the achievements of science and pedagogical excellence and the state of improvement that is suitable for the specific time requirements of educational work. A system of interrelated actions and measures aimed at comprehensively improving the qualifications and professional skills of each teacher. The regularly implemented measures are aimed at developing the educational potential of regional teachers and increasing their qualifications, improving their scientific creativity.

In cooperation with the institute team, large-scale work will be carried out in the direction of increasing the level of competitiveness, forming professionals suitable for a changing society, analyzing and collecting information on domestic and foreign experience in the organization of educational methodological support in the system of professional development.

by  professor Munbaev N.S. and director of the Atyrau Branch of JSC “Orleu” – Nurtleouva J.A

Implementing the European standard in foreign language teaching through cooperative and collaborative learning

Implementing the European standard in foreign language teaching through cooperative and collaborative learning

The main purpose of learning a foreign language in higher education in the current conditions of development of higher education, is the development of communicative competence of students, as a result of which the future specialist should master communicative language competencies for the needs of their future practical activity. In particular, teaching English, which has become the language of world communicative interaction, is still characterized by the traditional principles of teaching reading, writing, speaking, listening, called in the methodology “communicative-oriented and person-oriented”.

It should be noted that there are theoretical and practical developments in the development of foreign-language communicative competence, which are in line with modern research of both European and domestic theorists and practitioners. The modern didactic concept is created by such approaches as programmed, problem-based learning, developmental learning (P. Galperin, L. Zankov, V. Davydov), cognitive psychology (J. Bruner), pedagogical technology, pedagogy of cooperation of the innovative teachers of the 80s. Currently, in the field of didactics of foreign language teaching, the attention of domestic scientists is directed to the problems of implementing the European standard in teaching a foreign language. And it requires new approaches to the professional activity of the teacher for successful interaction with the learner, in the conditions of new innovative strategies in foreign language teaching.  

Innovative methods are primarily aimed at teaching students active ways of acquiring new knowledge, at mastering a higher level of social activity, and at stimulating students’ creative abilities. Thus, bringing learning closer to the practice of everyday life through the creation of such conditions when students cannot fail to learn, and they form not only skills, knowledge and abilities in the subject, but also an active life position. This is ideally the case.

It should be emphasised in particular that higher education institutions in the Kyrgyz Republic are studying according to the Bologna system. This means that foreign language teaching should also be based on the new principles of foreign language teaching, as is customary in European higher education institutions that are part of the same system.

  In almost all EU countries foreign language teaching is based on standards that develop the basic principles of European competences (A Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Strasbourg, 1986. P. 94). Consequently, textbooks from various European publishers are oriented towards these standards. Using Oxford University Press and other world leading publishers’ teaching and learning packages, teachers widely use this system of teaching aimed at effective communicative skills development for children and adults. And, accordingly, the system of control and testing of communicative skills and competences is subordinated to these standards.

 Each country works according to its own educational state standards of teaching, its own curricula, textbooks and has a varying degree of material and technical provision. Therefore, it is not correct to talk about the full implementation of European standards in teaching foreign languages in our general secondary schools and higher educational institutions, the common European competence in foreign language teaching. We can only speak about the possibilities of using some elements of these standards, because in general these competences have also been developed by domestic scientists and practitioners, but in a different terminology and on the basis of other approaches (see the history of development of didactics and foreign language teaching methodology in the Soviet time, post-Soviet time in the CIS countries; state standards in education). 

         As of today, the English language teaching methodology has accumulated quite an extensive variety of books and manuals dealing with different aspects of the theoretical aspects of teaching. At the same time, there is an acute shortage of practice-oriented textbooks and teaching materials that would provide effective assistance to the beginer teachers, particularly English teachers, in mastering the didactic foundations for teaching basic communication skills and the skills of writing, speaking, listening. 

       Also. Our country is entering a new paradigm of education (academic freedom, the credit-hour system, integrated courses, the system of teaching quality assessment and other innovative approaches, orientation towards practical mastery of communicative skills), which requires improving the educational system in accordance with the new realities of the economy and politics. This applies, above all, to the content and methods of training in higher education institutions. Perhaps a gradual reorientation to a new role of the teacher as a subject in the educational process, owning new innovative technologies and training strategies in the role of teacher-consultant, teacher-tutor, teacher-facilitator, teacher-moderator – will be an effective mechanism for transition to the new paradigm of education. That is, it is a question of re-training a teacher who would correspond to the new approaches of learning. The special peculiarity of which is the reproductive way of cognizing objective reality. It cannot be said that teachers do not use certain modern technologies in the process of teaching foreign languages. So, one of them to some extent finds its application (acquisition, generalization, systematization, transformation and application of knowledge of abilities, skills and competences) – RP-technology of pedagogical interaction, or otherwise, corporate culture of a teacher.   

      But, now European scholars argue that technologies are being replaced by learning strategies [see materials of the Council of Europe for Education], with the learning process itself being aligned in the following steps: 1. Analysis – analysis of the learning environment, learners and learning objectives. 2. Design – making a plan for developing pedagogical activities. 3. Development – designing the pedagogical activity. 4. Implementation – implementation of the strategy. Evaluation – evaluation of the performance of the learners and the effectiveness of the strategy. Consequently, the determining factor in the strategy is – to produce learning outcomes, i.e. to produce learning. (*Notice in our methodology, learning is – to provide, support, facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge (cumulative system). 

       The introduction of new learning strategies in which the student becomes the main active subject and who with the help of a teacher-moderator (tutor, etc.) has any set of actions, steps, plans for receiving, storing, accessing and using information (learning) is still going on fragmentarily (so far only in short-term language courses). This strategy has accordingly its own organisational chart, system of roles and incentives, technologies and methods, tools and new communication networks. The educational process itself is based on the Experiential Learning Model proposed by David A. Kolb and his colleagues at Case Western Reserve University in the professional activities of project organisations. Kolb’s (1984) cyclical model is based on the idea of “learning by doing”. Learning consists of repetitive “doing” and “thinking” phases, as one cannot learn anything effectively by simply studying theory or listening to lectures, but neither can learning where new actions are performed mindlessly, without analysis and debriefing. Specificity of the model: any of the 4 processes (experimentation, reflection, theorising, action) can start a cycle of learning.

       Therefore, special ways of implementation are needed for such strategies.

       Cooperative learning (achievement of intellectual autonomy of the student/learner and developed social competence) is an effective way of implementing a partnership learning strategy. The second most important strategy is collaborative learning (knowledge as consensus) based on the concepts of knowledge management. These strategies act as oppositions to the adopted domestic methodology, a trained result due to a highly structured learning situation (artificial). 

The essence of modeling cooperative learning of English is to implement the following fundamental components of the Numbered Heads Together technique: the first component is positive interdependence. Every student who received his or her part of the task realised that the good result achieved was the result of the cooperative interaction between every member of the group. The second component of cooperative learning is structured individual responsibility. Explanation of each student’s own text. The third component is students encouraging each other’s success (helping, supporting, facilitating, approving). Emphasis is placed on the way the problem is solved. The fourth component of cooperative learning is teaching students the necessary social skills and how to use them. Successful cooperative efforts require the development of social skills such as leadership, trust building, and decision making. The fifth component is to ensure that students have time to engage in the group process (minimising time spent presenting topics).

Collaborative learning strategies are based on the following components: collaboration, individual responsibility for their own learning and that of their teammates, social constructivism, and a point of interaction that creates the opportunity for collaboration in a given course context. Didactic methods: Strategy for describing the flow of the process. In the first phase, students work on a process flow description strategy and learn how to do it properly. Then there is a stage of development of students’ collaborative work. Then the collaborative learning technique “Exploration” is involved. To begin with, the teacher explains to the students how to conduct research. The main aim of this technique is to impart the skills of collaboration, cooperation, mutual understanding and compromise, common ground, development of communication competences, speaking and listening.

Thus, the teacher does not present knowledge in a finished version, but it emerges as a result of the students and the teacher working together. 

As a result, the teacher is an equal member of the educational process, unlike cooperative learning, where he or she plays a more significant role.

Abdrakhmanova Raisa Dzholdoshevna, 

Professor of the Department of Linguistics of IUCA, PhD  

 abdrakhmanova_r@iuca.kg 

To change or not to change: time to decide

To change or not to change: time to decide

For decades, Central Asian countries were establishing their national systems of education. Their primary task was to transform from mostly Russian language-based programs, teachers, and materials to national language-based ones. The second type of reform was implemented to embrace the new views on education goals: schools didn’t have to give knowledge anymore, but provide students with tools for independent learning. The third task was to slide smoothly into the global digitalization trend and not lag behind forever. 

However, there are a number of social trends that if not addressed can become real obstacles to the further development of Central Asian countries. In this article we will discuss the main three of them.

The steady growth of the child population together with the limited financing opportunities

One of the main trends shaping the status quo in education sphere in Central Asia is the continuing and consistent increase of the child population which leads to the pressure on the socially oriented spheres: primarily, healthcare and education. 

According to World bank data, the share of population aged 0-14 in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan makes up to 29%, in Kyrgyzstan – 33%, and in Tajikistan – 37%. 

The rapid growth of “human capital”, however, is not accompanied by the relevant financing. Government expenditure on education per student in Kazakhstan is around 1,500 US dollars, in Kyrgyzstan – 366 US dollars, and in Uzbekistan – 476 US dollars while in OECD countries this indicator is 11,000 US dollars on average.

This results in a lack of schools, a shortage of quality teachers, and poor learning conditions. Each year around 500-800 thousand new students come to the schools that are not ready to accept so many of them. The situation is much worse in big cities, and especially, in capitals of the Central Asian countries where some schoolchildren have to study in classes of around 40 people. According to official data, while the average number of students per school in regions of Uzbekistan ranges from 400 to 700 people, there are 1,300 students per school in Tashkent. The same difference can be traced in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.

The poverty trap and emerging educational inequality

Most studies show that one of the main factors affecting children’s academic accomplishments is their socio-economic status. It not only means that there are gadgets or Internet at home, books or a separate room to prepare homework. It also defines the surroundings, social and cultural capital, and networking possibilities. 

Apart from having a big share of households below the poverty line, Central Asian countries have another socio-economic peculiarity – a big share of labor migrants. According to World Bank and International Organization data, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are among the top ten countries that receive the highest payments from abroad. Various sources point out that around 2 million Uzbekistan citizens work outside the country. In recent years, around 35 thousand Kazakhstan citizens migrate to South Korea in search of work, and 12 thousand of them stayed there illegally. 

The results of the study in Uzbekistan in 2019 show that in almost a quarter of labor migrants’ families, both parents leave the family, and in each tenth family – it is the mother who goes abroad. Children of the labor migrants left behind have to cope with the learning process alone struggling from psychological and social deprivation caused by the lack of parents around. This doesn’t only affect academic success but also influences the perception of their own future prospects. After graduating from school many young people don’t apply to universities. It led to the situation that in 2019, for example, only 12% of Uzbekistan citizens at the age of 25-29 years obtained higher education. 

At the same time, in the capital cities of the CA countries, a new class of wealthy people is emerging whose children usually go to private highly priced schools. The schools are usually more equipped, employ better teachers, and work with internationally recognized educational programs to launch their students right to Europe or the USA. The two worlds: those who struggle outside the country to provide for children, and those sending their children to London for English courses never intersect, though the latter are usually the decision-makers.

High level of conservative views in societies lead to the latent gender inequality

According to the World Values Survey map, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan can be undoubtedly considered as countries with traditional values. This conclusion is based on the distribution of opinions on a range of issues including the perception of gender roles in the family, and society. 

These results show that there is still a strong belief that women should have a secondary supporting role in front of men. 

For example, 52% of respondents in Tajikistan and 54% in Kyrgyzstan believe that “A university education is more important for a boy than for a girl”. 50% of Kazakhs, 71% of Kyrgyz, and 87% of Tajiks agree that “When jobs are scarce, men should have more right to a job than women”. In addition, 50% of respondents in Kazakhstan and 75% of respondents in Tajikistan agree that “On the whole, men make better political leaders than women do”. 

This widely spread perception influences the education process even in schools. On one hand, girls are usually expected to perform better, because of their obedience, and do perform better, according to PISA. On the other hand, they are more encouraged to engage in household chores from а very young age. A study in Kazakhstan showed that young men at the of 15-29 years spend around 70 minutes a day on household chores, while girls of the same age spend 278 minutes a day. The spare time boys spend on education, networking, and cultural leisure. 

Involving young girls in an unpaid domestic labor is a peculiar educative element, because of the perception of them as primarily future wives and mothers. In Central Asia, they even may marry right after school. In Tajikistan, for example, 44% of all marriages are concluded with the brides of 15-19 years, in Kyrgyzstan – 20%, in Kazakhstan – 13,5%. 

Conclusion

There are no easy solutions to the above-mentioned problems. However, it is crucial to take them into account when developing policies and strategic plans. Education is the only social elevator not only for individuals, but also for whole countries. Once not addressed properly problems of education will negatively affect all other areas. Thus, in our opinion, first and foremost, a priority to financing schools must be given. Secondly, policies to include and adapt children from poor families and families of labor migrants need to be developed. As for the gender issues, an information campaign on the significance of girls’ education and further high-quality employment needs to be conducted. 

Kamila Kovyazina is a sociology and public policy researcher in Kazakhstan. Kamila has a 12 year experience of working in a number of think tanks to conduct sociology field study, as well as to prepare analytical papers. From April 2022 she is a part of PaperLab Research Center. Kamila holds an MA in Area studies of Eurasian National University and is a doctoral student in Nazarbayev University. Her research interests include gender issues, inequality, and secondary education.

Why Kazakhstan needs radical reform to modernize its education system and how it should be done

Why Kazakhstan needs radical reform to modernize its education system and how it should be done

Since its foundation in 1991, KIMEP University has provided its students with a world-class, Western-style education, unparalleled leadership training, and exceptional professional development and orientation.

Many of the over 14,000 graduates have become prominent leaders and have made important contributions to Kazakhstan society. One of our esteemed alumni currently serves as Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister; another is the current Chairman of Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan; yet a third is one who became the Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan in February this year.

KIMEP has some distinctive features that make it a unique university in Kazakhstan. All of its full-time faculty members are qualified (academically or professionally). KIMEP University has been granted accreditations from credible international accreditation agencies. All policies developed and implemented at KIMEP University are comparable to those in many Western academic institutions. Whether it concerns recruitment, promotion or termination, all decision- making is transparent. With 93% of its graduates hired within 6 months after graduation, KIMEP ranks first in terms of employability.

In the past few years, we have witnessed some progress in the field of higher education in Kazakhstan. In 2010 Kazakhstan signed the Bologna Declaration, which brings it more in line with Western-style, credit-based institutions and facilitating international mobility. In 2019, Kazakhstan universities adopted the European credit system (ECTS). The Bolashak scholarship program has enabled thousands of students to obtain foreign degrees and bring their skills home to Kazakhstan. However, much still needs to be done. Important reforms must be implemented if Kazakhstan wishes to achieve a revolutionary and rapid improvement of its education system.

The Kazakhstan higher education system must address four major deficiencies.  Firstly, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MSHE) continues to control every aspect of academic institutions, a method of leadership that is inherited from the Soviet period.  In the USA, the main mission of the Ministry of Education is to ensure a positive environment promoting competition between institutions, excellence and innovation. The role of the education ministries is that of a facilitator, allowing universities and academic institutions to compete and to excel.

Secondly, ministry management over universities currently relies on permanent control over everything using quantitative indicia, not qualitative. This idea of quantitative monitoring impedes the quality of education and kills innovation and competition between institutions. It obstructs initiative and creativity. In addition, such centralized power brings serious, harmful consequences such as nepotism, waste of resources, and lack of credibility. The organization and functioning of higher education institutions must be based on essential principles of management, which include transparency, arms-length dealing, credibility, and accountability.

Thirdly, much of the current faculty in Kazakhstan universities were educated under a system that is no longer relevant. Under the Soviet system, disciplines and fields of study were drastically different from the ones we teach at present. Consequently, many professors have earned degrees that are not relevant to what they are actually teaching. Especially when it comes to business, management, and education, most professors are not qualified to teach the subjects assigned to them. Thus, the student does not receive a modern education that will provide him the tools to fill positions of the current market place.

Lastly, there is no transparency or accountability in some educational institutions making corruption an endemic problem. This is a consequence of the centralized and authoritarian general functioning of the education system of Kazakhstan. According to the most recent Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, Kazakhstan is ranked 102nd among 180 countries in public perception of transparency scoring only 37/100.

In order to address these deficiencies and achieve sustainable quality in education in Kazakhstan, the educational system must initiate important reform measures.

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education must act as a facilitator for universities to reach excellence through academic freedom. Education based upon competition implies critical thinking, analytical reasoning, ethics and social responsibility as well as transparency at all stages. Universities must compete with each other within a more horizontal organization of the education system, which will stimulate innovation.

Allowing academic freedom does not mean chaos, but a more horizontal way of functioning, based on consensus and procedural clarity. Universities should be allowed to organize entrance exams based on clearly identified needs. The freedom to do so is an essential part of academic freedom, fostering competition among institutions and leading to the innovations needed to adapt to the realities of a market economy. Assessment of a university’s or a program’s quality should consider the percentage of qualified faculty members, employability of students, international programs, return on investment for the students and institutional accreditation.

Secondly, university leadership must be trained in policy development, management, and transparent leadership and training. Currently, all the power lies with university presidents. The presidents decide everything, from curriculum and allocation of funding to decisions about staff and faculty. This authoritarian, centralized organization creates tremendous problems, which should be dealt with by providing autonomy within the structures of academic institutions. The current system breeds bureaucracy and corruption. To bring change, universities must empower faculty members and make them accountable. Every core decision must be the result of dedicated, transparent processes. Overall, a bottom-up organization within higher education institutions would bring more positive results than the current top-down monolithic organization of universities.

In addition, it is essential that all professors not holding relevant degrees to teach their assigned subjects must be retrained, earning a relevant degree from credible academic institutions within the next five years. MSHE should help facilitate this through scholarships and organizational support so that professors attend conferences and earn the necessary credits and qualifications required to fulfill their mission. Administrative staff should go through similar trainings in order to adapt university management to the new realities. Staff missions must be clearly defined to make people accountable for their actions. Overall, the education system of Kazakhstan should be able to produce expertise and confer the skills that are relevant to the society it is designed to serve.

Lastly, there is an urgent need for transparency, integrity, openness and honesty in all spheres. The over-centralization of the educational system’s organization is detrimental to competition and breeds corruption and irregularities. Precious resources are allocated based on ineffective criteria. It should not be forgotten that the main mission of any academic institution is to maximize and optimize the well-being of its students. Presidents and faculty members are here to serve students. That means a global cultural change with the help of MSHE, which should constantly evaluate and review student satisfaction and make relevant decisions based on that criterion.

To implement all these recommendations, it is of paramount importance that the ministry produce an ambitious strategic plan to change current practices and policies and enter a new paradigm. A specially dedicated committee that includes qualified faculty members from Western institutions with local faculty as well as administrators should draft this plan. The committee would develop detailed recommendations for the Ministry to follow in order to bring tangible progress to the education system. The committee would provide oversight to the introduction of these reforms that would result in Kazakhstan’s educational system fully entering the 21st century.

Chan Young Bang is founder and President of KIMEP University. 

He received his PhD from the

University of Colorado and taught at UCLA, the University of San Francisco and Hanyang

University. In Kazakhstan, he served as economic adviser to the First President, Nursultan

Nazarbayev, and as the vice-chairman of the Expert Committee, which oversaw the introduction of market-oriented reforms and privatization. Dr. Bang has received numerous orders and citations from the Republic of Kazakhstan, including the “Dostyk” Order First Class, conferred by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in 2022.

ORIENTAL STUDIES IN UZBEKISTAN: HISTORY AND MODERNITY

ORIENTAL STUDIES IN UZBEKISTAN: HISTORY AND MODERNITY

The contribution to the development of education and science must always be timely and relevant with the standards accepted in the world. These two directions are fundamental in the all-round development of the country. Over the years of independence Uzbekistan has made significant progress in this regard. However, the demands of the new time pose new challenges for us. The labour market has changed, now only those personnel who possess knowledge and competencies at the highest level are in demand. Yesterday’s approaches to gaining knowledge have already lost their relevance. In the 21st century, the emphasis is on innovation and technology.

Over the past few years, in the field of oriental studies in the CIS, there has been an active reassessment of many issues related to the problems of statehood, religious studies, international relations and common historical heritage. Today, aspects of interaction are on the agenda, which, taking into account the current state of affairs, have to meet the new realities. At this stage, studies reflecting the positions of countries in the system of relations between East and West become relevant. It is especially important to study the experience of Eastern countries.

Today, the East is a rather broad concept that includes the Far East, East Asia (Japan, China, Korea), Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.), a huge region of the Near and Middle East, as well as North Africa.

The relevance of Oriental studies in the 21st century lies in the connection with religious, cultural and philosophical traditions, in the direct understanding of completely different civilizations.

Oriental studies is one of the oldest branches of education in Uzbekistan. Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies is one of the largest oriental higher educational institutions in Asia and the post-Soviet countries. In November 1918, the Turkestan Oriental Institute was established in Tashkent. The opening of such an educational institution marked the beginning of the training of qualified specialists in various branches of Oriental science not only in Uzbekistan, but throughout Central Asia. This educational institution specialised in the study of oriental languages ​​and literature, regional studies, ethnography, Islamic studies of Turkestan and its neighbouring states. At the same time, research work in the field of oriental studies was carried out at the institute. According to official data for the 1922-1923 academic year, 210 students studied at the Turkestan Oriental Institute.

Over the years, lectures on various branches of oriental studies were given at the Institute by such orientalists, historians, ethnographers and philologists as the prominent educator and teacher Saidrasul Saidazizov, the author of the textbook “Ustadi avval”; teacher and public figure, Arabist, Islamic scholar V. Kucherbaev; teachers of oriental languages ​​Abdurakhman Saadi, Mirza Tagiev, Mirza Ibragim, Badal Kariev, as well as Russian orientalists M.S. Andreev, A.A. Semenov.

In 1944, the Oriental Faculty was established as part of the Central Asian State University (now the National University of Uzbekistan). Considering the demands of the time and the requirements of public education, the training of teachers, referents and translators of oriental languages ​​became an important task.

For a more in-depth study by students of classical and modern literature of the peoples of the East in 1965, the Department of Literature of the Peoples of the Foreign East was created. In the 1980 and 1990s, oriental science in Uzbekistan was developed by outstanding oriental scientists, specialists in various branches of oriental studies – academician U. Karimov, academician B. Ahmedov, prof. A. Bulgakov, prof. M. Pikulin and many others. Uzbek scientists-orientalists introduced into scientific circulation and made public the monuments of ancient culture and the spiritual heritage of Uzbekistan and the countries of the East in general.

A new stage in the development of Uzbek oriental studies began after the declaration of independence of Uzbekistan. Taking into account the requirements of the day, in order to train and improve highly qualified orientalists, deepen and expand scientific research in the field of history and culture of the peoples of the East, as well as the development of international relations with foreign countries, on the initiative of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. Karimov, the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies.

Today, much attention is paid to the development of oriental studies and the training of orientalists to expand bilateral and multilateral political, economic and cultural relations between Uzbekistan and the countries of the East.

Orientalists of Uzbekistan carry out their activities in the diplomatic service, about 50 of whom have worked and work now as the Ambassadors of Uzbekistan in the countries of East and West, USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Japan, Turkey, Belgium, Italy, Israel, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia , Egypt, Kuwait, UAE, Singapore, China, Malaysia and other countries of the world.

The transformation of the Institute of Oriental Studies into a University imposes a great responsibility not only on the entire faculty, but also on young orientalists who will contribute to the development of modern statehood in Uzbekistan. Research is being carried out on the peculiarities of the development of the countries of the East, on cultural ties and the heritage of its peoples, information and analytical bulletins are being issued, scientific and educational literature are being published. Also, research is being conducted from a scientific point of view on development factors, modern socio-political and economic processes, Eastern culture and philosophy, ancient monuments and manuscripts of the countries of the East; systematic and detailed study of cultural, literary, historical and philosophical sources; complex studies of the features of the socio-political, economic and interethnic, intercultural relations of the eastern countries.

The university has begun a phased introduction of a credit-modular system of education. There was a lot of debate about its pros and cons, but if we want to integrate into the global educational community, then we need to implement it at an accelerated pace now. Taking into account the current situation in the labor market, new areas of training of orientalists are being developed. Together with a number of partners from foreign countries, the development and implementation of modern methods for assessing the level of graduates’ proficiency in Eastern and Western languages ​​has begun.

The new foreign policy course of the leadership of Uzbekistan has created great opportunities for international cooperation in the development of oriental studies. It is obvious that without interaction with foreign partners it is impossible to achieve the desired result in the study of the countries of the East and the training of qualified orientalists. Strengthening international cooperation, it is planned to create a regional educational hub in the field of oriental studies. For now cooperation has been established with leading universities in the USA, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Japan, Korea, China, Russia and the CIS countries, where about 70 teachers are sent annually for advanced training and internships, as well as participation in scientific conferences and lectures.

To date, 30 foreign specialists from Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, and Iran have been attracted to work within the walls of the university on a permanent basis. In addition, short-term courses (online and offline) by foreign teachers are systematically organised.

Taking into account the above, the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. The requirements of the new time pose new challenges in the training of orientalists. The labour market has changed, now only those personnel who speak not only foreign languages, but also have comprehensive knowledge and competencies, are in demand. “Yesterday’s” approaches to gaining knowledge have already lost their relevance.

2. The major transformations carried out in the field of Oriental studies are primarily aimed at training highly qualified specialists, personnel of a new formation, as well as the comprehensive development of a favourable research environment for young scientists.

3. New realities in the international relations of Uzbekistan create great opportunities for cooperation with foreign universities in the development of oriental studies. Strengthening international cooperation with traditional oriental schools in Russia, it is planned to create a regional educational hub in the field of training specialists in the countries of the East.

Rikhsieva Gulchekhra Shavkatovna

Rector of the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.

The Republic of Uzbekistan

    Education system in the Republic of Belarus

 Education system in the Republic of Belarus

 Higher educational institutions of the Mogilev region

Education is a strategic State asset. The Republic of Belarus belongs to the group of countries with a high level of Human Development Index. The adult population literacy rate in Belarus has never been low, reaching 99.7% today. Upon indications of children enrollment in primary and secondary schools, Belarus has reached the level of the most developed countries on the planet. In the last few years, the state has allocated at least 5% of GDP for the educational system, which is not inferior to the  funding allocation for the education sector in developed European countries.

In total, there are more than 8 thousand establishments of mainstream, additional and professional education in the republic, in which about 3 million children, pupils, students are trained and educated by more than 400 thousand workers or every tenth employed in Belarus. 

The education system of the Republic of Belarus provides education for students at the levels of mainstream, extended and professional education.

Mainstream education includes the levels of preschool, general secondary, career and technical, secondary specialised, higher and postgraduate education.

Extended education is subdivided into  education for children along with youngsters and  for adults.

The classification of education levels in the Republic of Belarus corresponds to the International Standard Classification for Education  (ISCED 2011). Accordingly, the principle of “lifelong learning” is applied in real terms. 

Belarus has a well-developed system of preschool education. Although it is not mandatory, most children attend preschool before starting school. General secondary education in Belarus starts at the age of 6 providing for two levels: general basic and general secondary education. The course of the basic education is designed for 9 year old pupils, whereas the secondary one – for 11 year old pupils. Having successfully completed basic school, young people have the opportunity to continue their education in colleges, lyceums and vocational schools, where they can simultaneously receive secondary education and vocational training. Those who wish can receive a general secondary education by continuing their studies at school. The certificate of general secondary or secondary professional education is the main document that gives the right to enter a higher educational establishment.

Higher education includes more than 50 establishments  (universities, academies, institutes) along with private providers of education. Annually the higher education establishments intake more than 60 thousand people, from which graduate more than 80 thousand specialists. Preparation of experts is carried out in 15 educational profiles, comprising 382 specialties of higher education of the first level  and 331 specialties of higher education of the second level.  

Students of higher education in Belarus can learn full-time or part-time, and can obtain a distance learning.

Higher education students get knowledge in the Russian and the Belarusian languages. For foreign citizens, training can be organised in English.

In this article, the activities of the universities of the Mogilev region are proposed to consider. Higher education establishments are located in the east of Belarus including  economic, legal, technical, agricultural occupations.

        Belarusian State Agricultural Academy, Gorki city, Mogilev Region

Today the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy is the largest multidisciplinary higher educational establishment with the agro-industrial direction among the CIS countries and Europe.

During its history, BSAA has trained more than 100,000 high end professionals for the country’s agro-industrial complex and other sectors of the national economy.

Today the BSAA is called “a city within a city”. There are 16 educational buildings, 14 student dormitories, a library with a book collection of more than one million copies, and a dining room for 800 people  located on the territory of the academic campus.

The academy also includes the educational and scientific centre called “Experimental fields of the BSAA”, a training ground, a cascade of ponds, and other facilities. There is also a recreational facility, namely a Palace of Culture built for students’ leisure, as well as a sports complex with a stadium and a swimming pool.

The Belarusian State Agricultural Academy established itself as a leading choice in the republic  within the development of international relations and active cooperation with leading foreign universities. 

The Academy was given the status of a leading university in preparing specialists in the field of agriculture in the country’s national education system.

                     Belarusian-Russian University, Mogilev region

The Belarusian-Russian University is the largest regional scientific and educational centre comprising a lyceum and an architectural and constructional college. It also includes an institute of advanced training and personnel development.

The multifaceted activity of the scientific and pedagogical collective body of the university is aimed at training highly qualified personnel in technical and economic specialities. The university provides training for higher education specialists in the field of machine engineering, IT technologies, industrial and civil engineering, economics and management. The training is provided for 23 specialties of the primary level, 7 specialties of the secondary level of higher education according to Belarusian educational programs; 9 branches of training for bachelors and 2 branches of training for masters according to Russian educational programs. University graduates are in high demand at the enterprises of mechanical engineering, machine tool industry, instrument engineering, power industry, transport, construction, telecommunications industry and information technologies in the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.

        Mogilev State University named after A. A. Kuleshov, Mogilev region 

For many years the university had been developed as a pedagogical establishment for preparing secondary school curriculum teachers almost across all disciplines along with specialists for preschool children’s establishments. In 1998 the university started training  for other sectors of the national economy.

Today there are three teaching and laboratory buildings, three educational and sports facilities, a stadium, a workout gym along with rehabilitation centre, an educational and biological facility “Lyubish”, four dormitories and two dining rooms on the territory of the university. Also, the university has a cafe called “Labyrinth”, several museums, instant printing lab, information technology lab, educational TV lab, and more than 100 classrooms. 

Scientific research of the faculty members is carried out mainly in accordance with the republican programs, orders of the Ministry of Education and the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus. The university makes research on the following topics: 

“Continuous training system for teachers following the conditions of academic organisations”;

“The Earth’s magnetosphere”; “Thin film optics”; “Archaeological sites of Belarus”; “Past and present in literature”; “Problems of the processes of adaptation to environmental factors of the human   body ”, and others.

Mogilev Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Mogilev

The Mogilev Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was established in 1948 as a retraining school for sergeants of the corps of the Main Directorate of Security on Railway and Water Transport of the USSR Ministry of State Security. In 2018, it received the status of a higher educational institution. Currently, the institute is the oldest educational institution in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Recruitment to the Mogilev Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is carried out in the following specialties: Legal support of public security; Legal support of operational-search activity.

Graduates of the Institute are awarded the qualification “Lawyer” and the first officer’s special rank “Police Lieutenant”.

Belarusian State University of Food and Chemical Technologies, Mogilev

The Belarusian State University of Food and Chemical Technologies is the only higher educational institution in the Republic of Belarus that trains process engineers, mechanical engineers and economists for the food processing and chemical industries.

The university provides training of personnel of the highest scientific qualification through graduate school in 11 specialties. The university has a specialised Council for the defence of doctoral and master’s theses. MGUP is the leading university in the development of educational standards, curricula and programs, textbooks and teaching aids for food specialties.

For 40 years of activity, university teachers have trained more than 15 thousand specialists for the economy of Belarus and other states.

Machekin Sergey Nikolaevich,

Head of International Relations Department,

English teacher at the Department of Foreign Languages,

educational institution “Mogilev State University named after A. A. Kuleshov”.

The Kazakh National Agrarian Research University

The Kazakh National Agrarian Research University as a research university, has achieved success and recognition at the national level and aims to be recognized by the international scientific and educational community.

The university cooperates with 137 leading universities and scientific centers of the world and is a member of 16 international associations and organizations for higher education and science, including GCHERA.

An international hub of knowledge has been created: academic mobility is developing, training in Kazakh, Russian and English has been introduced, international summer and winter schools are held in 14 directions.

By actively cooperating with prestigious universities from the USA, Europe, and the countries of the Pacific region, the university has formed 11 double degree programs.

In its innovative development, the university is guided by the experience of the Wageningen Research University (WUR, Netherlands), which is the number 1 university in the QS world ranking for agricultural specialties.

An institute for collaboration with the Wageningen University was opened at KazNARU. An agreement was signed with the University of Wageningen on the exclusive partnership on training specialists in the educational programs: “Veterinary food safety and technology” and “Plant science and technology”.

Any university, if it wants to be competitive in the labor market, must work ahead of the curve, create innovation centers and laboratories that allow for high-quality training of specialists, conduct scientific research and introduce their results into production.

KazNARU has created all the conditions for the training of competitive specialists. The International Agrotechnological Hub operates, which includes: 7 research institutes, 8 innovation centers, 49 research laboratories, 18 international research centers over the past 5 years, 6 research laboratories and 2 innovation centers are replenished.

A research laboratory for micro clonal reproduction has been opened, where up to 3 million samples will be obtained, including healthy seedlings resistant to bacterial burns and other diseases.

The Intensive Garden Research Center was established with Dutch Fruit Solutions, a Dutch company. The yield of fruit and berry crops is 4-5 times higher than that of local ones.

The reference research laboratory analyzes the quality of milk and dairy products, where rural entrepreneurs can receive a certificate of the quality of their products.

The Kazakh-Korean Research Center conducts trainings for managers and specialists involved in growing crops in greenhouses. A smart greenhouse is under construction. Investments were attracted from the fund of the Republic of Korea.

The Kazakh-Belarusian center of the university is equipped with modern agricultural equipment in the amount of 75 units, which makes it possible to carry out all agrotechnological processes for growing crops and caring for animals on time.

A demonstration site of innovative Valley-type sprinklers and other types of irrigation equipment is being created at the Kazakhstan-American Smart Water Center in cooperation with the American company Valmont Industries.

Together with the Austrian company “APC”, the project “Innovative scientific and educational center for animal husbandry with a pedigree dairy” Smart-farm “and others is being implemented.

This work at the university is put on a systematic basis, since only a developed infrastructure allows for high-quality training and retraining of specialists, conduct scientific research and introduce their results into production. The next step is the creation of a world-class research university.

1. Legal Name – Kazakh National Agrarian Research University 

2. Trade Name – KazNARU 

3. Year of foundation – 1929 

4. Number of students (foreign students) – 7525 (71 foreign students)

5. Number of teachers – 838 

6. Number of faculties and their names –

1) Agrobiology 

2) Bioresources and Technology

3) Veterinary Science

4) Water, land and forest resources

5) High school of «Business and Law»

6) IT – technology, automation and mechanization of agro-industrial complex 

7. Language of education – Kazakh, Russian, English 

8. business schools and other training/affiliates – Foundation Courses 

9. Participation in international rankings – QS – Quacquarelli Simonds, Green Metric World University Rankings 

10. Full name of the rector – Tlektes Yespolov 

11. achievements of the University QS Ranking #551

12. Address, Contacts, email, website:

Web site https://www.kaznaru.edu.kz/?lang=en 

Kazakh National Agrarian Research University

8 Abai avenue, Medeu district, Almaty, 050010, Republic of Kazakhstan

Rectors reception room: +7(727) 264 24 09, +7(727) 262 19 48

Admission committee: +7(727) 264 06 13, +7(727) 264 08 54

Chancery (Fax): +7(727) 262 11 08

e-mail: info@kaznau.kz

Mobilizing knowledge management for dealing with climate change and Sustainable Development Goals

Mobilizing knowledge management for dealing with climate change and Sustainable Development Goals

The world’s communities face among many challenges related to climate change and rising economic and social problems, from unbearable hot weather in many parts of Europe and forest fires in many parts of Eurasia and Canada to damages to agricultural crops in many parts of Asia. In order to deal with those numerous problems around the world, policymakers need to use the right policy tools for making the most effective decisions utilizing the knowledge from best practices from around the world. The question is rising: do they have enough training in expertise for knowledge management in the increasingly complex world of the information revolution, rising tides of online communications in the avalanches of social media reports? 

Indeed, the knowledge management skills increasingly become an important part of modern education especially of the education for sustainable development. Present-day policymakers and future leaders need to develop abilities and competencies for managing large bodies of information from managing large databases and huge amounts of information collected by researchers and research institutions to managing reports and social development data and social development and climate change data accumulated at various universities in many countries.

In the context of education, the term “knowledge management” refers to a specific body of educational and research tools related to a systematic multidisciplinary approach to creating, sharing, and utilizing and most importantly to managing knowledge and information related to sustainable development. 

At the end, we all need to learn how to effectively use the rapidly growing body of knowledge, especially on innovations, new information and communication technology (ICTs), and organizational development and mobilization of resources for addressing the needs of many communities both in developed and developing countries.

Universities around the world accumulated significant knowledge and expertise about adaptation for and dealing with various challenges related to the climate change and many related environmental, social, and economic issues. Take the example of Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU) – which is located in a large metropolitan area in Kazakhstan.  Like many universities around the world, KazNARU conducted numerous studies and research projects related to the climate change, changing flora and fauna, and changing human habitat, including large project on the selection work of new drought and disease resistant plants for food production and urban landscaping. And there is large demand for these type of studies. Climate change is already changing the environment at the micro-geographical level in many countries.  For example, temperatures in and around large metropolitan centers are getting higher, access to clean water is more difficult, the air is becoming more polluted. Thus, traditional bushes, trees, and flowers struggle to survive and grow in the “stone jungle” of modern urban centers.  There is a need to select new types of plants capable of surviving in the conditions of modern cities or to engage in selection work for acclimatizing the existing types of plants for our new conditions.  For instance, the modern landscaping design and urban planning increasingly involves vertical parks, gardens, clubs, and greenhouses, which needs new approaches to selecting plants, bushes and flowers. 

In general, researchers around the world possess the vast treasures of knowledge and expertise and unfortunately many ground breaking studies still remain on the desks or bookshelves.  It is time to work out an effective knowledge management mechanism in order to systematize existing studies and adapt them as much as possible for practical purposes and practical use. 

Universities and educational organizations may play an important role in generating knowledge, developing scientific research, and in teaching knowledge management for sustainable development to help leaders of today and tomorrow to come up with the right answers and remedies and good practices for all communities.

About the author: Rafis Abazov, Ph.D., is a visiting professor at Kazakh National Agrarian University (KazNARU) and a director of the Institute for Green and Sustainable Development. He is the author of The Formation of Post-Soviet International Politics in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan (1999), The Culture and Customs of the Central Asian Republics (2007), The Stories of the Great Steppe (2013), and others.

HOW DO UNIVERSITIES CREATE SOCIAL IMPACT?

HOW DO UNIVERSITIES CREATE SOCIAL IMPACT?

THREE EXAMPLES FROM CENTRAL ASIA – THE HERITAGE ALLIANCE OF THE NEW SILK ROAD, CONSORTIUM OF GENDER SCHOLARS AND THE INTEGRITY PROJECT

The 2021 European University Association report “University Without Walls” reminds us that the role of universities is changing. Universities do not operate as single entities but increasingly are part of strong networks. The mission of universities is more multi-dimensional: the fundamental focus remains teaching and research, but, as the recent Times Higher Education Impact Ranking shows, universities are increasingly judged on their innovation and social impact, as well as on research and teaching.

Nazarbayev University (NU) is a clear example of these global changes. Established in Kazakhstan in 2010, its mission is to become a research-intensive university for Central Asia. NU collaborates with strategic partners: Duke University, National University of Singapore, Wisconsin University, University of Cambridge, Pennsylvania University, and University of Pittsburgh. With advice from these global universities, and with support from local university partners, NU creates impact at scientific, social, and economic levels. To illustrate, NU graduates are employed by competitive professional services firms such as: Google, Schlumberger, Microsoft and McKinsey. Our graduates have been accepted into full scholarship programs at Harvard, Oxford, MIT, Stanford, London School of Economics, University College London, Imperial College, Arizona, Cambridge and Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and many others.

Collaboration has always been the key to success in universities, just as it is in business, politics and diplomacy. To create sustainable social impact, NU and many other Central Asian universities are active in key networks, including the University Alliance of the Silk Road (UASR), a non-governmental and non-profit organization “aimed at openness and international cooperation in higher education”. UASR facilitates collaborative research, student exchange, cultural, technological and economic development through a coalition of 150 global universities from 38 countries. 

UASR Executive Council members illustrate the breadth of interest in Central Asia:  Xi’an Jiaotong University (China; Harbin Institute of Technology (China); Hong Kong Polytechnic University (China); National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute” (Russia); Bauman Moscow State Technical University (Russia); Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan); Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan); University of New South Wales (Australia); Centrale Supelec (France); University of Liverpool (UK); Politecnico di Milano (Italy); Benha University (Egypt); Sabanci University (Turkey); Issanov Kyrgyz State University of Construction, Transport and Architecture (Kyrgyzstan); National University of Sciences and Technology (Pakistan); Technic University of Berlin (Germany); National University of Singapore (Singapore) and Pusan National University (South Korea). 

Within this context, the University of Liverpool in the UK worked with Central Asian universities to establish the Heritage Alliance of the New Silk Road, known as HANSR, an informal sub-alliance of University Alliance of the Silk Road (UASR). HANSR is highly collaborative group of universities with a specific interest in the heritage of the Silk Road. 

When you think of Central Asian heritage, no doubt many vivid images come to mind: architecture, music, cuisine, dance, literature, history, poetry, scholarship, philosophy and economic opportunities. HANSR provides researchers, scholars, students, bureaucrats, politicians and administrators a forum to debate significant heritage themes. HANSR Roundtables, student competitions, and workshops explore all aspects of heritage: including the costs and benefits of development, heritage tourism, and sustainability practices relevant to heritage.

After its 2017 launch by Liverpool University, last year’s HANSR Roundtable was hosted by Nazarbayev University. Top scholars presented their ideas, featuring Claudia Chang, Emerita Professor of Anthropology, Sweet Briar College, “The Why of Cultural Heritage: The DNA of Heritage in the Midst of Global Crisis”. Other prominent HANSR Roundtable presenters include Peter Hommel, Lecturer in Archeomaterials, University of Liverpool; “Hearth and Home: Promoting the Identification, Investigation and Protection of Prehistoric Settlement Landscapes in Southern Siberia”. Also prominent are researchers such as Gavin Slade, Associate Professor, Nazarbayev University, “In the Gulag’s Shadow: Places and Practices of Remembering and Forgetting  Penal Trauma in Kazakhstan” and from the tourism perspective, Guillaume Tiberghien, Lecturer in Tourism Management/Marketing, University of Glasgow, “Kazakhstani Heritage and Politics of Authenticity in Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges” and Paula Dupuy, Associate Professor, Nazarbayev University, “Trans-Eurasian Exchanges: A Look from Inside Kazakhstan”. Urban development issues are explored in the work of researchers such as Lina Liu, Associate Professor, Law School, Xi’an Jiaotong University, “The Harmonization of Urban Development and Protection of Cultural Heritage from the Perspective of China”; and Nikolai Tsyrempilov, Associate Professor, Director of M.A. Program in Eurasian Studies, Nazarbayev University, “Visualizing Sacred Geography of Kazakhstan”; Binqing Zhai, Professor, Head, Department of Architecture and Director, Institute of Architecture, Xi ‘an Jiaotong University, Conservation of Han Chang’an Capital Heritage Site and the Impact to Local Indigenous Lives”; Andrey Filchenko, Professor, Nazarbayev University, “Contemporary Practices of Language Documentation as Cultural Heritage Preservation” with US scholars such as: Gil Stein, Director, Chicago Center for Cultural Heritage Preservation and Professor of Archaeology, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, “Preserving Cultural Heritage Along the Silk Road:  University of Chicago Projects in Central Asia and Afghanistan” and Jeffrey Altschul, Founder, Statistical Research, Inc. and Co-President, Coalition for Archaeological Synthesis, “Building a Future without losing the Past: The Challenge of Cultural Heritage Management”.

This year’s HANSR Roundtable is promising to be exceptionally international and innovative. From 8-11 November 2021, Politecnico Milan is hosting the 2021 HANSR Roundtable on the concept of Heritage Management: Musealization or Use, including the themes: After Discovery and Preservation: Musealization or Use? Heritage Management International Case Studies; Enjoyment of the Historical Heritage, The Vision of the Young Generation; and the Heritage Management Project. 

As always, HANSR creates opportunities for students to submit videos on their heritage related research topics, in order to receive feedback from the world’s top scholars. 

HANSR is just one of many illustrations of cross-university collaboration for social impact in Central Asia. Other examples include: The Consortium of Gender Scholars (GenCon), established by Assistant Professor Anna CohenMiller and Associate Professor Jenifer Lewis from Nazarbayev University. GenCon is a broad group of researchers, from STEM and non-STEM backgrounds, who explore gender related issues in their research, teaching and graduate supervision. 

The final example of collaboration for social impact is the Integrity Project, with a focus on academic and professional integrity in university, high school and professional life. The goal is to encourage student- to-student debate on all aspects of integrity, via international, student-led integrity roundtables in Central Asia and beyond, an international student video competition for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, networking with the European Network for Academic Integrity and student research projects. The solution to integrity is not in the hands of professors, it is in the hands of students. 

Not only in Central Asia, but all around the world, universities are working with students as key collaborators to create lasting social impact.

Dr. Loretta O’Donnell, Vice Provost Academic Affairs

Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan

Science and Industrial Policy Options for Resource Rich Eurasia’

Science and Industrial Policy Options for Resource Rich Eurasia’’

The Silk Road which historically signifies this region in particular has lent itself to defining and placing Eurasia and Central Asia as a place for mobility where goods passed through from the East to the West and vice-versa. However, Eurasia as a producer of ideas, peoples and goods often gets left out especially in the global, and particularly Western, imagination, propagating the idea of Eurasia as a thoroughfare. Silk Road has been a place for manufacturing and historically has contributed to scientific, artistic and cultural breakthroughs of global significance but has been left out of current discussion as a producer. This has an impact on our understanding of knowledge production and educational framework in the region.

This representation of being a passage (road) and leaving out the significance of being a producer has reinforced the (mis)understanding about Silk Road and led for it to be demarcated as a periphery. Particularly since the fracture of the Soviet Union into the 15 republics, the Eurasia region is increasingly portrayed as a disparate and remote region, and a region which needs to be reconstructed using new and ‘modern’ framework and principles arising from notions, for example, of Westphalian states. Constituents of Eurasia, be it Central Asia, China or Russia, or south stream regions of the Middle East, South and South East Asia are relegated as incapable players or threats in making. However, this Silk-Road region and its millennia old interconnectedness is where the future of this region lies as is finally being recognised by OBOR (BRI) and Eurasian Economic Union projects. It is important to remember that, Eurasia as a coherent geographical construct has existed since at least as early as the Mongol Empire in the 13th century and subsequently in the Timurid Empire which brought large swathes of Eurasia under control. 

Such a flawed understanding is a product of decontextualised economic analysis and subsequent mis-matched political and security studies narratives. An economic understanding of production is limited, and limited largely to post-facto analysis of the production phenomenon and process. Economics alone does not have tools either to understand how production originates and how it is sustained. Production is more often rooted in need, not in demand! while the need is correlated to how the society is organised. This societal organisation generates value systems which in turn govern the need itself. If one only uses the prevalent neo-liberal economic frameworks, very construed understandings can emerge. If one turns the analysis around, some key questions can arise from this discourse and help clarify things, for example, let us consider the cure for cancer, for which it is easy estimate the level of demand; and despite this extensive demand and money thrown at it, the market driven systems have not been able provide even a basic cure and resilience against cancer. And similarly how come we are so far behind in alternative energy solutions despite the demand? 

So how is this relevant to the case of Eurasia? Historically, Eurasia was the dynamo of curiosity led intellectual development, for e.g. Al-Khwarizmi’s discovery of Algorithm, and a wide array of physical and chemical principles, translated mineral wealth into global supply chains of then and now. It was the nurturing of science and ‘investment’ in human capital that has played the key role in creating resilience in Eurasia. This pattern has been repeated through myriad political orders of Khanates, Empires and even in the modern Soviet state periods. 

A diagrammatic understanding of Science to Innovation process perhaps can help understand and explain the fabric of the resilience process in Eurasia; the basic principle is as follows: 

∙ Science (similar to Culture and Music) (grasping principles of nature) → 

  ∙ Engineering (systemising and controlling process, leading to application of science) → 

      ∙ Technology and Innovation (making engineering useful for public good and/or commercial gain) 

Thus the premise here is that those policy makers who achieved an understanding of investing in science and human capital as the key to sustainable economic growth were able to create progress at a global scale, despite the challenges of land-locked geographies, harsh climates, political upheaval and unstable globally linked finance, and indeed, low population densities. 

So as stated earlier, in the past we have Eurasia at the centre of processes of development, integration and growth, so what does it have to offer now? For one, their natural wealth of vast materials and metals, needed to drive a new era of electronics, refrigeration and energy storage underpin all other areas of technology and thus global sustainable development, can aid in global development. This is particularly important when going beyond hydrocarbons and Silicon-based technologies which are prevalent today. 

For Eurasia specifically, the following concerns are important to keep in mind in order to not compromise its millennia old intrinsic resilience capacity. In a post-Soviet, new liberal world order in which Eurasia re-industrialises, it should not fall for ‘easy-options’ often discussed by many developing countries which are industrialising now, rather Eurasia is re-industrialising – their starting point in terms of human capital and institutional capacity was/is very different. The countries of Central Asia, for example, need to pay close attention to not getting caught up in thinking that technology transfer is the final goal. On the contrary, it is the starting point for developing further technologies. Access to vast materials and metals base, which are needed to drive the new era of electronics, refrigeration and energy-storage which underpin all other areas of technology do not rest with IT, 3-D printing and consumer goods. Countries in Central Asia, especially, are home to natural resources of the kind that are essential in future technologies, from metals to hydrocarbons. New industrial and sub sectors of global relevance have potential to be induced in/from Eurasia through deployment of new scientific ideas. For example, the down-stream potential of the oil and gas industry, mining and agro resources are necessary for producing clean-tech and green technologies as well. Polymers and oxide semi-conductor devices like light emitting diodes, solar cells and transistors; cheap deposition of polymers by printing; improve devices by understanding fundamental laws of physics can all lead to spin-off technologies which can put Eurasia at the forefront of production and high-technology rather than compete with established players in developed fields. So resilience is not the endgame, it is a kind of insurance policy. 

Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan have oil and gas and as a result polymers and plastics on the one hand, while together with the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, they have vast reserves of Rare-Earth minerals. This can help them diversify their economies and lead the change rather than play catch up to developed countries. Some examples of these kinds of technologies are Spin Nematics (for the next generation of environmental, medical and industrial sensors for applications ranging from satellite communication to chemical industry heat process management and mining exploration); Computer Memories and Information Transport (e.g. components and fully integrated chips for quantum computation and memory storage); Multifunctional Composites (these can act as both batteries for energy storage and process sunlight for energy production), Magnetic Refrigeration (for example, manipulation of quantum spins can produce refrigeration that no longer requires cumbersome compressors or use of environmentally damaging gases such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydro-chlorofluorocarbons) like R-12 or R-22. Such technologies have the potential to power our computers, keep our food fresh); and HighTemperature Superconductivity (for dissipation-less transmission of electricity and production of magnets for Maglev High Speed trains as well as plasma confinement reactors for energy production). 

Conclusion 

Oxford dictionary defines Resilience as ‘the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and with toughness’. Historically, Eurasia has not only been resilient but rather been the epicentre of change, transformation and production. Whether it was the Silk Road, or home to the most ancient and great civilisations in the world, Eurasia has been at the centre of all things new. The natural connectedness of the Eurasian region allowed for a sharing of resources and led to some of the world’s best science. Home to a plethora of materials and metals, renewable and non-renewable sources of energy, the countries of Eurasia have benefitted from each other through interactions in knowledge production along with exchanges of goods and peoples which has been at the heart of progress through time and space. Even in Soviet times Central Asian countries remained connected with flexible borders, if any, and shared infrastructure which favoured interaction. It is only since the end of the Cold War that we have seen Eurasia, especially countries in Central Asia, question and struggle with their place in the world. Rather than play catch-up to the world’s leading economies, countries in the region should look to development paradigms which are Eurasian in character and are generated from within. International organisations and think tanks bring with them Euro-centric concepts of development, economic and otherwise, and fail to take into account the knowledge and technologies that exist within Eurasia. 

Dr Siddharth S Saxena

Bibliography 

Kalra, P. and Saxena, S.S. (2015). ‘Asiatic Roots and the Rootedness of the Eurasian Project’, in ‘The Eurasian project and Europe: Regional Discontinuities and Geopolitics’, ed. Lane, D. and V. Samokhvalov, Palgrave Macmillan. 

Kalra, P. and Saxena, S.S. (2007). ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Prospects of Development in the Eurasia Region,’ P Kalra and S.S. Saxena, Turkish Policy Quarterly (TPQ) 

Oxford Dictionary, Resilience, https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/resilience 

Saxena, S.S. (2017). ‘Uzbek and Turkmen Pavilions at Expo 2017 in Kazakhstan: Pave way for ‘New Energy’ Revolution for a Global Impact’, available at https://centralasia.group.cam.ac.uk/news/Expo2017

(This article is adapted from the COMPASS Project Proceedings)

Tirana : European Capital of Youth 2022 aims to empower the future of education in Albania.

Tirana : European Capital of Youth 2022 aims to empower the future of education in Albania.

Even as far back as 2017 UNICEF were celebrating the successes of a developing Albanian education system. “What is of importance for the country to celebrate is that not only Albanian children do better in academic achievement, but that the Albanian schools are preparing citizens who have values and commitment. PISA results show that Albanian children’s sense of community belonging and wellbeing is very high, ranking third after Spain and Austria among all participating countries. Bold reforms and innovative initiatives such as the ones on Schools as Community Centers are already providing their fruits.” 

“This is a strong indicator that Albanian schools are on the right track to provide a solid education to all children, regardless of their economic backgrounds. Education is a fundamental human right. It is critical for long-term economic growth and crucial for the achievement of all the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4, on inclusive quality education.” said Dr. Ezio Gianni Murzi, UNICEF Representative in Albania. “We are proud today that many of the bold reforms of the Ministry of Education and Youth which UNICEF and partners have supported in curriculum development, improving preschool quality, teacher training and qualification are working”- said Dr. Ezio Gianni Murzi, UNICEF Representative in Albania. 

A lot has happened to affect education since 2017 but whereas the pandemic caused challenges and long term headaches for traditional education systems, it also allowed developing systems, such as Albania to embrace new technology and speed up the reforms that were already planned – indeed online learning platforms were being introduced from 2018 and the best teachers in Albania were putting many of their lessons online – to date over 17000 are available and the systems that Albania developed have been successfully exported to other countries within the Balkan peninsula.

The Albanian Ministry of Education and Youth are also at the forefront of the development of Higher education and University reform. As with all countries, the need for internationally recognised Universities is a priority for the development of skills, quality assurance and research. As a result, qualifications of common standards tend to become competitive because of the European vision that Albania has.

Emerging from the global pandemic and returning to the classroom has challenges. In some countries student apathy has become an issue which is being tackled by financial incentives and active marketing campaigns. Albania has taken a slightly different approach – through student empowerment and by embracing the European capital of Youth initiative.

The European Youth Capital is awarded by the European Youth Forum, which aims to empower young people, boost their participation and strengthen European identity. 

To find out more about Albania’s role as host of European Capital of Youth 2022, and how to inspire the next generation of leaders while retaining a strong cultural heritage, we interviewed H.E.Donika Hoxha – Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova.

Dr Donika Hoxha has been the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Republic of Bulgaria since October 2018 and the Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova since October 2019, although she began her professional career in 1998 at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Republic of Albania.

What motivates you to represent your country abroad and what is the message you want to spread through your work?

Being a diplomat and representing your own country is not merely a profession. You have to love your country, what it has been at different times in its history, and begin your duty by knowing what best serves its interests and then seek to achieve an outcome as close to those requirements as possible. For this, you need to invest time, energy and effort in your own professional development. 

One of the aims of the European Capital of Youth is to empower the next generation – how do you do that?

The most important qualities of a good leader have always been strategic and critical thinking, innovation and action. As we move farther into 2022, after being faced with the biggest challenge of the century, the COVID pandemic, I believe that the best leaders continue to be those who inspire, motivate and empower their team. I would like to quote Steve Jobs “Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could.”

To be an effective leader you’ll also need to be a good listener and communicator. Among the skills we need to improve are transparency and good communication, to ensure that everyone has the right information no matter where they work and to get motivated to be engaged. Accountability is yet another important matter which factors into success. Leaders must hold themselves accountable to do the necessary work to fulfil their promises.

A good leader needs to have the resilience to push himself/herself over, through, around, and sometimes under obstacles. True motivation only appears by overcoming difficulties.

How do new leaders rise and how we could support and develop new leaders among the young generation?

Most leaders throughout history have emerged out of the needs of the situation, arising from the dynamics and processes that unfold within and among a group of individuals as they endeavour to achieve a collective goal. As different situations call for different configurations of knowledge, skills, and abilities, the group turns to the members who mostly display drive, self-confidence, knowledge of the situation, honesty, and integrity. It is not difficult to spot them as they are able to exert considerable influence and provide direction while driven by a vision embraced by the entire group.

Talented up-and-coming new leaders among the young generation need challenging assignments that stretch them to new heights. We need to believe in them, encourage and support their aspirations. We need to produce more leaders rather than more followers, which is fundamental to long term success. To do that we need to support leadership development initiatives among the youngest generation, empowering them to make decisions that support the goals and vision of the community.

Is that why Tirana becoming the European Youth Capital is so important?

We need to create the conditions for our young people not to flee our countries and develop their talents. This would give long-term competitive advantages to our countries, especially considering our current situation of brain drain. Leaders exist at all levels. We have to identify the ones who can step in and fill critical roles when necessary. This should be our mission. As I said above, we must be held accountable for developing other leaders

What can be done in order young people to be involved and engaged in Cultural Heritage, to safeguard and use these values?

There is a risk that certain elements of intangible cultural heritage could die out or disappear without help, but how can we safeguard and manage a heritage that is constantly changing and part of ‘living culture’ without freezing or trivialising it? Safeguarding them is about the transferring of knowledge, skills and meaning. Hence, first and foremost, a good knowledge by the young generation of the values of culture as a symbol of the identity of a country is significantly needed. Unfortunately, there is still a quite distant relationship between the young generation and art history and education and one of the main challenges in safeguarding intangible heritage is the loss of interest and enthusiasm to practise by the young generation.

We need to cultivate young people’s interest and nurture their curiosity. More efforts and concrete actions are needed to integrate local knowledge in formal education curricula. However, that is not enough if they are not encouraged to go out and experience..

When transmitted from generation to generation, intangible heritage is continuously created and recreated. It is exactly recreation that we have to encourage. A substantial engagement of young professionals in spreading the importance of active participation of local communities to protect and safeguard the cultural activities needs to be encouraged. On the other hand, governments, international organisations and NGOs have an important role in supporting projects and initiatives to this end and of course, Tirana being the European Youth Capital 2022 will assist this!

Many thanks

Notes 

Add in a program of events for European Youth Capital 2022

Intersperse with photos of cultural activity, and sights

Photo of Dr Dr Donika Hoxha at beginning 

Holy Mass of the Pope in Central Asia

The religious world in all its diversity is waiting for the central event of the year – the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Nur-Sultan – the capital of Kazakhstan.
What kind of religious leaders will we see at this convention? Pope Francis I is on his first visit to this country. In the modern history of Kazakhstan, this is only the second visit of the Head of the Roman Catholic Church.
At the dawn of the third millennium in 2001, the Republic was visited by the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II. As the contemporaries of that event note, it was then that the idea of ​​creating a general meeting of all faiths and establishing a dialogue between them was born, at the moment when the Supreme Pontiff spoke with Muslim youth about the Unity of God. In the new century, he said, there should be no conflicts between peoples, and that we should unite and forgive each other.
The new arrival of the Pope in Kazakhstan in the difficult circumstances of the times of global upheavals, as well as in the context of meetings with other leaders of world religions, promises to draw public attention to the moral principles of the ongoing processes for a short time.
Moreover, for the first time in the Central Asian region, a Holy Mass will be held for tens of thousands of Catholic believers, including pilgrims who will arrive in the capital of Kazakhstan.
In addition to the Pope, the congress is expected to be visited by the Supreme Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem, Mufti Ravil Gaynutdin, Head of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, and other heads of religious denominations and international organizations.
The high level of the guests of this congress more than corresponds to its theme «Studying and assessing the role that religious leaders are called upon to play in the spiritual and social development of mankind in the period after the coronavirus pandemic».
It is already known that as a result of the Congress, a Declaration will be adopted with important provisions regarding the active involvement of the leaders of world and traditional religions in the process of achieving long-term stability and peace.

31 YEARS YOUNG UZBEKISTAN: SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS FOR FURTHER PROSPERITY

31 YEARS YOUNG UZBEKISTAN: SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS FOR FURTHER PROSPERITY

On september 1, 2022 Uzbekistan celebrated the 31st Anniversary of its Independence. From the very beginning the nation has set an ambitious goal – to become a developed, sustainable, democratic state. In a relatively short period, profound structural and institutional transformations were carried out that laid the foundations of a multi-structured economy and principles of secular, democratic governance.
Launched in 2017, the unprecedented large-scale reform program of the newly elected modernist President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has created a new milestone in the nation’s development. New strategic priorities have been established in the spheres of public administration, the rule of law and human rights, economic liberalisation, social policy and foreign relations. A long-time inward-looking country has become more open and active.
As a result, in just five years Uzbekistan has achieved a lot. For example, Uzbekistan was elected to the UN Human Rights Council, adopted a National Human Rights Strategy, a Gender Equality Strategy and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Forced labour and child labour were completely eradicated in the country, ending an international boycott of Uzbekistan’s cotton and textiles.
The foreign exchange market was liberalised. For the first time, Uzbek banks and enterprises received international ratings and entered the world financial markets, and international bonds in national currency were also issued on world markets. The country was admitted as a beneficiary in EU’s GSP+ and the UK’s Enhanced GSP Scheme. Foreign trade turnover increased by 70% – to more than $42 bln in 2021. Exports rose 40%, while imports doubled.
Open, pragmatic and humanistic foreign policy resulted in the creation of a completely new atmosphere of constructive cooperation and good-neighbourliness in Central Asia, and expanding relations with the world. A visa-free regime was introduced to the citizens of 90 foreign countries and people from around the same number of states can now use a simplified visa procedure. In this way, the country has become the most open state in the region.
Broad public support for President Mirziyoyev’s reformist course ensured his re-election in 2021 and adoption of the Development Strategy for New Uzbekistan on an even deeper and wider modernisation of the country. Ambitious goals were set for 2030, such as increasing GDP per capita by 60%, joining the ranks of upper middle-income states, and pouring $120 billion into the economy, including $70 billion in FDI.
A focus on human rights and dignity, a vibrant civil society, a welfare state, sustainable, environmentally friendly and inclusive development have been put at the heart of the transformation. To consolidate these important values a major round of constitutional reform was initiated.
Our citizens have taken an active and direct part in shaping the new Constitution and have been active in a nationwide discussion. Tens of thousands of proposals from people were considered by a Constitutional Commission, formed from MPs, senators, representatives of civil society and other sectors. The President has also proposed several initiatives for inclusion into the constitution, including abolition of the death penalty, establishment of so-called Miranda rights and Habeas Corpus principles.

OCA magazine #46


Human capital development, as the cornerstone of any modernization and innovation-based economic success, has become a strategic priority in Uzbekistan where more than 60% of its 35 million strong population are under the age of 30.
The country is actively implementing a system of lifelong education and seeking to build a knowledge economy, which includes the restructuring of the education system, advanced training of personnel, integration of education with science and business.
Enrolment of children in preschool education has more than doubled since 2017, exceeding 1.8 million people (67.2% of the age group). The number of preschool educational organizations has increased five-fold – up to almost 28,000. By 2030, enrolment in the sector will increase from 67.2% to 80.8%.
In public education the main focus is on improving the qualifications of teachers, introducing innovative technologies in scientific and technical education through a network of so-called Presidential Schools operating under the British Curriculum. Specialized schools with in-depth study of ICT and the hard sciences have been established, and a fully inclusive education system is being introduced in schools.
Over the past five years, 55 new universities have been created in the country bringing the total to 162. Along with branches of 30 foreign universities, enrolment in higher education is projected to reach 50% by 2030 (compared with 9% in 2016, 28% in 2021). The number of students studying abroad through the “Hope of the Nation” Foundation is growing fast. The transition to a “digital university” model has begun, and a new system of vocational education has been implemented. Through introducing standards of excellence and international educational programs, Uzbekistan strives to become a regional hub of higher education.
Retrospectively, Uzbekistan is celebrating its 31st anniversary of independence with a solid record of achievement. The country has secured the status as a significant regional power, and its comprehensive reforms, which have become irreversible and enjoy public and international support, are the driver for further development.
Even though Uzbekistan seldom generates front-page news in the UK, over the past three decades a solid base for comprehensive bilateral cooperation has been developed. Importantly, the foundations for this were laid even earlier, over 600 years ago when Amir Timur, commonly known as Tamerlane, ruler of the vast Timurid Empire, and King Henry IV of England were exchanging correspondence, both seeking friendly relations and expanded trade links.
In the modern era, bilateral relations received a “second wind” from Uzbekistan’s reform programme. The UK’s Global Britain strategy has added to the momentum. As a result, new possibilities for cooperation have been opened up and the pace of change has grown ever more intense. For example, Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian state to sign with the post-Brexit UK a bilateral political and cooperation deal – a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Last year, Uzbekistan also gained trade beneficiary status in the UK’s GSP Enhanced Framework, becoming the first country to qualify for that after Brexit.
The desire to develop trade and economic ties, reflected in the correspondence between Amir Timur and Henry IV, is today complemented by a broad range of other topics: from political dialogue and addressing global challenges, to the green economy, education, and culture. It is a close friendship which is valued enormously in Uzbekistan that looks forward to further broadening and strengthening its partnership and friendship with the UK.

Said Rustamov

Freedom of belief

At present, representatives of 130 ethnic groups and 18 religious denominations live in Kazakhstan, among them – Muslims, Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists. Throughout the country, many mosques and temples are operating and being built, which are actively visited by believers.

Religious freedoms in the Republic of Kazakhstan are guaranteed by Article 14 of the country’s Constitution, which prohibits any discrimination based on religion, and Article 19 guarantees that everyone «has the right to determine and indicate or not indicate their national, party and religious affiliation».

By the way, according to Gallup1 research, the level of religiosity of the population of Kazakhstan is the lowest in the region of Central Asia – 43%. Nevertheless, individual representatives of the international and human rights communities (the State Department, the ODIHR2, etc.) repeatedly voiced unfounded criticism of the state of religious freedoms in the republic.

However, according to the latest USCIRF3 reports, there is notable progress towards establishing religious freedom in Kazakhstan. Thus, the document notes that in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, according to these indicators, Kazakhstan is in 4th place among 14 countries (Russia – 13, Uzbekistan – 12, Kyrgyzstan – 11).

September 14-15 this year Nur-Sultan will host one of the most significant international events of the year – the Congress of World and Traditional Religions, during which the visit of the head of the Catholic Church and the state of the Vatican – the Pope, as well as 130 delegations from 60 countries of the world is expected. We can openly say that this platform is unique, which brings together the first clerics of the world, ex-heads of state, representatives of international and public organizations and world media.

The planned event of world significance, where Kazakhstan acts as a state committed to the ideas of tolerance, openness, mutual respect and trust between the authorities and religious associations of the country, testifies to the high confidence on the part of the leaders of international confessions and the recognition of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a crossroads of many world religions.

June 28-30 this year in Washington (USA) at the 2nd Summit on Religious Freedom, the speech of the head of the «Union of Evangelical Christians of Kazakhstan» Y. Shumaev took place, which debunked the existing negative myths regarding the religious environment in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In his speech, the religious leader noted the openness to dialogue, as well as the trusting attitude on the part of state structures to the believing environment, which is reflected in the wide opportunities for followers of all confessions and religions to meet their spiritual needs.

As an example, he shared the positive experience of the participation of the «Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith of Kazakhstan» in joint charitable activities with the authorities to provide assistance to socially vulnerable segments of the population. Since 2021, the organization has allocated funding in the amount of more than 10 million tenge for the humanitarian direction.

In response to the questions asked by the American audience, Yuri Shumaev stated with full confidence that there were no facts of persecution of Protestants in Kazakhstan. He also explained that the measures taken by the Kazakhstani power structures to ensure public security apply to all citizens, regardless of religion, nationality and gender.

After listening to the report of the Kazakh religious figure, USCIRF representatives emphasized the importance of his theses and supported the initiatives of the Union in building a dialogue between the state and the religious community.

In general, the ongoing events contribute to the formation of an objective opinion of the international human rights environment about the positive interfaith situation in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the preservation of interethnic harmony in the religious environment.

[1] American Institute of Public Opinion.

2 Bureau for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

3 US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

 New Book Seeks to Help Fight Against Coming World Hunger…and Help Solve Other Critical Issues

New Book Seeks to Help Fight Against Coming World Hunger…and Help Solve Other Critical Issues

Together with the editors of Hertfordshire Press (Great Britain), the rector of KazNARU, Tlektes Yespolov, has published a new book, “The Kazakh Model for a research University”, dedicated to the research of the university. This invaluable experience can help the universities of the world become an effective platform for solving the challenges of our time, such as, for example, the unexpected threat of world hunger.

At present, when in countries with a heightened risk of a decline in agricultural production, as well as imports and exports of key products for food production, the impact on a sharp increase in the prices of alternative agricultural products, we must consider the development of the agricultural sector.

In this book Mr. Yespolov publishes the university’s 90 years of research related to the development of agricultural activities, crop sources and crop sustainability. The university has successfully participated in joint projects with USDA, NASA and Michigan National University.

A particularly valuable outstanding feature of the book “Kazakh Model of a Research University” was the chapter, which is a step-by-step guide to transforming an educational organization into a national research institute. The results of the work are shown in a worldwide international research project. The English language, in which the book was published, is accessible and interesting not only for the CIS countries, but also for the rest of the world.

“Kazakhstan Model of a Research University” has received positive feedback from professional reviewers such as Thomas Celluchi, Ph.D., MBA, CEO of Bravatek Solutions Inc., White House Commercialization Adviser. Representatives of foreign universities were also highly appreciated. An international expert, international project manager of Wageningen University, Eva Wietsma, noted: “KazNARU develops new knowledge and advanced strategies, uses models and learning technologies based on modern international practices.”

The book was published in the UK with the official presentation of the book taking place on June 15 in Almaty at the KazNARU University, with further launches in November at UK universities. It will also feature in London as part of the eleventh Open Eurasian Literary Festival & Book Forum (November 25-28, 2022) by the Eurasian Creative Guild (London), which will form a discussion platform that will bring together academics from all over the world.

A Master Comic Visits Schuchinsk

A Master Comic Visits Schuchinsk

For the first time, school children and students of the Burabay district had the opportunity to take part in master classes on the creation of comic books from Daniel Akhmed – the young author of British publishing house, Hertfordshire Press.

Daniel, the young author of “The Final” graphic novel, made his first visit to Kazakhstan, where he visited both Nur-Sultan, Almaty, and Burabay. The purpose of the visit was to hold a series of art presentations for the youth of the city. The program was organizsd by the creative residence of ECG HORIZONS BURABAY (Shchuchinsk) with the support of the non-profit public organization Eurasian Creative Guild (London)

During the five days Daniel held seven presentations. More than 200 young people, from 11 to 25 years old (as well as their teachers and mentors) learned the basics of creating comics, thanks to the support of the Guild Ambassador in the Burabay district, Yussuf Krykbessov.

 “We were very lucky that Daniel came to us in Schuchinsk. I was moved to the core that our children are striving to learn English, they tried to talk to Daniel! We are finally joining European models of creative activity, this is a very significant event” – Mr. Krykbessov emphasised.

The first presentation started on the hospitable venue of the Higher College of Technology, where future programmers and designers learnt the art of creating comics. During the meeting, the audience received not only techniques and tricks that Daniel had experienced first-hand, but also discussed with Taina Kaunis, executive director of ECG (London), the relevance of comic books for programmers. 

The director of the school Mr. Kuanyshbek Shayakhmetov expressed gratitude to the Guild team. “We are grateful to our guests for lighting up a spark of desire in the souls of the guys to create, study, learn and create something new in their lives,” he said.

Daniel continued the cycle of meetings with a presentation at the Arman School of Art, where the youngest students delved deeper into the technical details of the rendering of characters and pages. “Daniel held a master class on creating comics, which made the kids very interested. It should be noted that Daniel is only 13 years old, and he already has personal creative publications on this topic,” – the school director Mrs. Aigul Turguzhina shared. No less actively and exciting, Daniel held a master class for students of Gymnasium No. 1. Curious students did not plan on stopping him any time soon, asking question after question.

Students of the school “IQanat Burabay” also discussed the creation of comics. The audience gathered in the cinema hall, where a theatrr rehearsal had just ended, so a creative atmosphere surrounded the event from the very beginning of the meeting. And the boldest of the meeting participants even asked Daniel for autographs, so he gladly signed copies of his book for them.

Daniel talked intensively with translation students of the Higher Pedagogical College: the students not only enthusiastically participated in the conversation, but also supported the idea of volunteer assistance to the international festival “Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art,” which will soon take place in Shchuchinsk at the initiative of the ECG (London). “Surprisingly, even I, a person twice as old as Daniel, found a lot of new and interesting things for myself in the master class,” – Nelly Filippova, a hotel designer, shared.

Of course, participants benefited not only from the performance of Daniel himself but also the projects in which talented young people can participate. The founder and head of the Hertfordshire Press publishing house, vice-chairman of ECG (London) – Marat Akhmedzhanov – was also present and noted that “Often teachers and parents find the comic to be something frivolous and sometimes harmful. 

But let’s turn to statistics. In 2020, the entire US comic book industry (all periodicals, graphic novels and digital editions of all publishers, genres and channels, as well as merch) – brought a record $1.28 billion, that is, approximately 800 billion tenge (according to the DTF portal). Not so bad to make more than a billion dollars, right? At the same time, Comics beat published statistics on sales of graphic novels and manga in the United States for 2021. Judging by it, the popularity of the genre is at an unprecedented height, and sales are growing at a huge pace. For 2021, sales grew by almost 70%, and the total number of comic books/graphic novels sold for the year is more than in 2018 and 2019 combined. Since 2003, growth has been an impressive 558%. The industry is probably going through a new golden age. The manga has even better numbers – the genre generated 280% more profits than last year (according to Shazoo).

The heads of the ECG HORIZONS BURABAY and ECG (London) residence plan to make such creative “business trips” of foreign cultural and art workers regular, allowing residents of the Akmola region to become acquainted with modern trends in creative industries and realize their creative potential. 

The Independent Eurasian Film Festival Celebrates its Fourth Anniversary

The Independent Eurasian Film Festival Celebrates its Fourth Anniversary 

On May 19-25 in the heart of London (Romford) the IV ECG Film Festival, together with the Romford Film Festival, was held including the presentation of more than 10 Eurasian countries.

The festival was organised by the British non-profit organization, the Eurasian Creative Guild (London), with the support and participation of the British film festival – Romford Film Festival and Premiere Cinemas. For the fourth year in a row, the Eurasian Film Festival has traditionally gathered the attention of many talented directors, actors, producers, screenwriters and animators from all over the world.  Over 500 entries from 30 countries were evaluated by and international jury. 

2022 Jury Members:

Spencer Hawken: director, founder of Romford Film Festival (UK)

Bradley Barton: director, film critic (UK)

Michael Sagatis: researcher, composer and cinematographer (Wales)

Tim Wilson; director animator and theatre designer (UK)

Sergei Timchenko: director. editor and operator (Ukraine)

Nuno Martini: cinematographer, editor, screenwriter, producer from Lisbon

(Portugal)

Taalaibek Kulmendeev: Producer, director, screenwriter. Co-Chairman of the Confederation of Unions of Cinematographers of the CIS and Baltic States. (Kyrgyzstan)

Mansur Sarsembaev: screenwriter, director, winner of the “Altyn Kalam” award for “Best Screenplay and Dramaturgy of the Year”, winner of the third “ECG Film Festival” in the nomination “Best Screenplay” (Kazakhstan).

Maksud Sarsembaev: screenwriter, director, winner of the third “ECG Film Festival” in the nomination “Best Screenplay” (Kazakhstan)

Peter Blunden: British film critic, member of the jury at the Romford Film Festival and the Romford Horror Festival (UK).

Oksana Zhukova: TV journalist, TV presenter, head of the “ArtMedia” production center.

The official Opening of the festival took place on May 19. On the first day, the finalist films in the “Short Film” category were presented to the audience. Among them were such films as ELECTROOKO – “Tomorrow” by the Uzbek journalist, producer and public figure, Nikita Makarenko; the debut short film “Steps” by AUCA graduate from Kyrgyzstan, Zhanaiym Ashimova; a film by a Ukrainian director, Natalia Pasenetskaya, “Honorable Lviv Lady” and the film of a well-known director from Azerbaijan “The Last One” Fariz Ahmadov.

“Good sentiment, nice camerawork. And even though by some cultures this may be daring, its a nice innocent piece”, commented director and film critic Spencer Hawken on the Ukrainian film.

At 8 p.m, the solemn Opening Ceremony of the festival took place, where the vice-chairman of the Eurasian Creative Guild, Mark (Marat) Akhmedjanov, and a member of the board of curators of the Eurasian Creative Guild, John Farndon, Mayor of the London district of Havering (Havering Borough) – John Mylod and the founder of the Romford Film Festival, Spencer Hawken all took to the stage to welcome participants. It served as a starting point for the British public to immerse themselves in the world of Eurasian cinema. A new international film festival of the guild in Kazakhstan was also announced – Burabay International Short Film Festival, which will be held in June 2023.

Prior to the opening ceremony, all guests were invited to the premiere of a feature film by an Iranian director and musician in London, “World, Northern Hemisphere”, Hossein Tehrani.

“This is a forceful film about growing up in Iran as the embattled main character is constantly clashing with his overbearing mother about how to classify the discovery of human remains found”, noted Welsh director and film critic, Michael Sagatis.

The second culminating day of the shows took place on May 21st. Among the films of the finalists the following works were presented:

Music video – “His saving Grace” directed by Alexey Pavelko from Russia

Mobile Video – Eli Nazik, Mehmet Tigli (Turkey)

Animated film – Lullaby created by the director and founder of the animation studio “Dala Animation” in Kazakhstan, Dilshat Rakhmatullin.

Short film

On the Silk Road – an aspiring director from Uzbekistan, Sherzod Nazarov

Nunik – director, screenwriter and winner of several international festivals with 20 years of experience in the field of cinema from Armenia, Elena Arshakyan

“Coincidence” – director and screenwriter from Almaty, Kazakhstan, Egor Lymarev

“Catherine II. The Fall of the Great” – the youngest director from Russia, Andrey Archakov

Documentary film

“Saykbai and the Beatles” – Honored Artist and Cultural Figure of Kyrgyzstan, Tynai Ibragimov

“Stray Children” – director from Russia, Anna Dranitsyna

“The Dream of Kaplan” – Devrim Taban, Tahir Un (Turkey)

“Share the Sky” – musician and director of documentary and feature films from Uzbekistan, Aliaskar Fatkhullin

ZHANYRTUU (Renewal) – Victoria Arkhangelskaya (Kyrgyzstan)

Also, on May 21, a guest film from Russia “Blockade Diary” by Russian director, screenwriter and producer ,Andrei Zaitsev, was shown, which caused heated discussions among the audience. A film about February 1942, with severe frosts and a terrible famine, it follows a young woman, Olga, who has just buried her husband and is sure that soon she too will die of starvation. She simply wants to see her father one last time and say goodbye to him.

As part of the online program of the film festival, a master class by Irina Egorova “Let me introduce you to yourself!” was held. Irina Egorova is an actress, writer, chief director of the Komedian Theatre in Moscow, with 20 years of acting teaching experience. Irina shared her experience and skills on how to learn to see, hear, perceive each other, and direct speech in such a way as to be understood.

The final day of the festival, May 25, became the most memorable among the festival days. Two feature films from Russia and Tajikistan closed the premiere program of finalist films. “Tygyn Darhan” by the famous director and screenwriter from Russia, Nikita Arzhakov and the film “Water Boy” by Faizullo Faiz (Tajikistan).

“A beautiful film, requiring some effort to watch but so thoroughly rewarding. There is no levity here: this is about a bellicose and determined history but it is a story worth telling and it is a stunning piece of cinema”, commented film critic from England, Professor Tim Wilson.

The main event of the day was the Closing Ceremony of the IV Eurasian Film Festival, where the best Eurasian films of 2022 were announced.

The guests of honour of the Ceremony were the Ambassador of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to the UK, Ulan Zhusupov and adviser Batyr Kadyrkulov. Advisor of Embassy of Kazakhstan, Arsen Omarov, Second Secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Konstantin Yushmanov and Second Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in the UK, Bakhtiyor Mukhamedzhanov.

The winners were selected by both an audience vote and the evaluations of the jury members. The winners of the IV Eurasian ECG Film Festival are:

Grand Prix: Best Eurasian feature film – Tygyn Darhan (Sakha-Yakutia/Russia); Nikita Arzhakov

Best Eurasian Short Film – On the Silk Road (Uzbekistan); Sherzod Nazarov

Best Eurasian Documentary Film – Sayakbai and the Beatles (Kyrgyzstan); Tyni Ibragimov

Best Eurasian screenplay – Bifurcation point (Kazakhstan); Natalia Makhno

Additional awards were given to:

Audience Award

Audience Choice Award – Honorable Lviv Lady (Ukraine); Natalia Pasenetskaya

Audience Choice Award – Water Boy (Tajikistan); Faizullo Faiz

Audience Choice Award – ZHANYRTUU (Renewal) (Kyrgyzstan); Victoria

Arkhangelskaya

Audience Choice Award – Lullaby (Kazakhstan); Dilshat Rakhmatullin.

Festival diplomas:

Certificate of Acknowledgment / Music Video- His saving Grace; Alexey Pavelko (Russia)

Certificate of Acknowledgment / Mobile Video – Eli Nazik; Mehmet Tigli (Turkey)

Honorary diplomas from the Festival Jury:

Honorary Mention Award – Nunik (Armenia), Elena Arshakyan

Honorary Mention Award – The Dream of Kaplan” (Turkey), Devrim Taban, Tahir Un

Honorary Mention Award – “Share the Sky” (Uzbekistan), Aliaskar Fatkhullin

Honorary Mention Award – BLACK FOREST MYSTERY (Great Britain), Jaroslaw Gogolin

Best Young Director – Catherine II. The Fall of the Great (Russia), Andrey Archakov

The 5th Eurasian Film Festival (London) opened entries for the 2023 season. Applications can be made through the FilmFreeway platform.

A Turkmen Tour of Fashion

A Turkmen Tour of Fashion

Simplicity without combinations

Turkmen dress is simple and of the same type.  Tunics worn next to the skin, wide trousers, gowns, fur coats, turbans, and takhi or tyubeteyki formed the basis of the wardrobes of both men and women.

National Clothing – Male Costume 

If we take the men’s national costume of any Central Asian nation, we see that headdress is given special attention. In Turkmenistan the telpek, a lambskin hat, is a sign of masculinity.

The telpek is special: in summer it protects from heat, in winter from cold, and in bad weather from rain. Although there are drawbacks too: it is quite bulky and inconvenient for everyday life, especially when particular agricultural or other work had to be performed. However, this is provided for. If necessary, the telpek can be taken off and hung on a nail or twig: beneath the telpekmen a small skullcap with Turkmen type embroidery of national ornaments is also worn. This avoids a bare head, which is considered indecent. Otherwise the telpek always adorns a man’s head. Removing the telpek from someone’s head in public is considered to be the worst of insults, which is often washed away in blood. 

National Clothing – Robes and Skirts

Turkmen women’s clothing, especially of those who live in the southern regions of the country, attracts a lot of public attention with its embroidered headband (chirpy), decorated robes (kurt), dresses (koynek), loose robes (chavyt, maldoi don, and sarytahta don).

In general, Turkmen women’s clothing retains its simplicity of form and balance. The cut, successfully discovered and adapted to the life and climate, has not changed for centuries. Women’s clothing is mostly made of silk and cotton fabrics. In the making of traditional dresses (koynek), cloaks and wraps (kurt, chyrpy), a silk cloth (keteni) in red, green, and purple is used. For the tailoring of women’s loose coats (chavyt, maldoi don, sarytahta don) fabrics such as sarytahta, gyrmyzydonlyk, maldoi, cheppetou are used. 

The clothing of rich people is decorated with embroidery. There were various methods of embroidery, – keshte, Simplicity without combinations

Turkmen dress is simple and of the same type.  Tunics worn next to the skin, wide trousers, gowns, fur coats, turbans, and takhi or tyubeteyki formed the basis of the wardrobes of both men and women.

National Clothing – Male Costume 

If we take the men’s national costume of any Central Asian nation, we see that headdress is given special attention. In Turkmenistan the telpek, a lambskin hat, is a sign of masculinity.

The telpek was special: in summer it protected from heat, in winter from cold, and in bad weather from rain. Although there were drawbacks too: quite bulky and inconvenient for everyday life, especially when particular agricultural or other work had to be performed. However, this was provided for. If necessary, the telpek could be taken off and hung on a nail or twig: beneath the telpekmen wore a small skullcap with Turkmen type embroidery of national ornaments. This avoided a bare head, which was considered indecent. Otherwise the telpek always adorned a man’s head. Removing the telpek from someone’s head in public was considered to be the worst of insults, which was often washed away in blood. 

To conclude this brief excursion into the past, I would like to note that the telpek is a unique and beautiful aspect of a hat, which still is worn by the vast majority of older and some middle-aged people.

National Clothing – Robes and Skirts

Turkmen women’s clothing, especially of those who live in the southern regions of the country, attracts a lot of public attention with its embroidered headband (chirpy), decorated robes (kurt), dresses (koynek), loose robes (chavyt, maldoi don, and sarytahta don).

In general, Turkmen women’s clothing retains its simplicity of form and balance. The cut, successfully discovered and adapted to the life and climate, has not changed for centuries. Women’s clothing was mostly made of silk and cotton fabrics. In the making of traditional dresses (koynek), cloaks and wraps (kurt, chyrpy), a silk cloth (keteni) in red, green, and purple was used. For the tailoring of women’s loose coats (chavyt, maldoi don, sarytahta don) fabrics such as sarytahta, gyrmyzydonlyk, maldoi, cheppetou were used. 

The clothing of rich people is decorated with embroidery. There are various methods of embroidery, – keshte, haym, kok, chigmet, ilme, kokdzheme, oram((two-sided looped and lower seams, satin stitch)) – ornamentation, which demonstrate the rich artistry and imagination of the seamstresses.

Natural dyes were used in the past. Red, in different shades (from dark red to brown, from bright red to magenta), was obtained from vegetable dyes, extracted from the stem and roots of the madder plant, grown in Turkmenistan, or imported from Iran. The blue dye nil (from the Arabic word for blue), was also imported from Iran, and was widely used among the population for dyeing wool and silk. For yellow dye, seamstresses used the shrubby plant sary chop, native to the mountains.

Women’s headrobes (chyrpy) were intended to be worn on special festival occasions. In the southern region there were chyrpy in three colours: white, yellow and green. They draw attention to form of construction, strictness of colour, great skill in execution, delicate taste and amazing bonding of decor with colour, texture, fabric and cut. The peculiarity of ornamentation in each gown is outstanding. They are executed in variable patterns of stylized forms. Vegetable ornaments, stylized images of animals, and household goods were used on some of the items. Still, the favourite motifs were flowers: lotus flowers, tulips, often enclosed in a circle or a diamond, which were used as a starting point for building compositions, right across the entire surface of the chyrpy.

The kurt (gizil kurt, yashyl kurt) is a type of gown-robe. They are decorated with embroidery, but to a lesser extent than chyrpy. The most common symbolic T-shaped ornament was used on the sides and bottoms of these gowns.

A variety of gown-robes (chovdurok) is worn by women living in northern areas of the country, and are called purendzhe or bash atgych. These days, such gowns are almost impossible to see in everyday use. Such clothes were made of red cloth or brocade fabric. The most common pattern is ghoul bossano, which has a vegetable origin, freely deployed on the entire surface of the gown. 

For the draped headdress (byoreck), women from the Teke tribe use a head scarf (gynach). It is made of narrow strips of red, sometimes green keteni, and had a triangular shape. Two edges of the scarf are decorated with a broad woven ornamental band, adorned with long, wide tassels. Skilful use of ornamentation with white, black, and yellow flowers, in combination with the background, gives the shawl elegance and completeness.

National Turkmen costume is inconceivable without jewellery, which was once used as amulets, providing protection from diseases and sterility. If you look closely, you can see images of animals and insects in the jewellery, which once linked people with the elements of nature. Three to four year old girls wear bracelets, and clothes with pearl buttons and beads. The amount of decoration increases with age.

One of the interesting things is the small silver dome (kupby) that is worn on the head. Silver plates, ending with a fringe of hangers, are scattered from the edges of the dome throughout the skullcap. This hat, with a plume of feathers at the top, recalls a small helmet. Maiden’s (tahya) and women’s(byoreck) headdresses are finished with set of plates, pendants, pins, and amulets covering the temples, and guarding the neck, chest and shoulders. The Turkmen folk song goes: “When the geese … rise into the sky, then all the air is filled with their voices, when the girls go to fetch water, then all the air is filled with the ringing of jewelry.”

The amount and type of jewelry that a woman wore depended largely on her economic situation. On solemn occasions, a woman from a wealthy family would put on from six to eight kilogram’s of jewelry.

The ornaments are mostly silver, with inlays of natural stones: carnelian, which brings peace, joy and abundance according to ancient beliefs; turquoise, which improves vision; corals, giving richness and abundance of all fruits. The surfaces were covered with geometric and floral engraved patterns. Different tribes have different ornamental elements, but all Turkmen ornaments possess proportionality, conciseness, and massiveness.

Girl in Red 

A girl in red is the dream of every Turkmen bachelor. Brides wore red dresses in the old days: a dress of red silk, on top of it a coat made of red cloth, below were red trousers. In addition, the groom at a wedding wore a red shirt, and children were also dressed in red.

Where does the love of red come from? Traditionally, red symbolised the life-giving forces of nature; it ascribed magical properties to protect people, to help them in life. The wearing of such clothes was considered the prerogative of children and youths, because of the belief in the beneficial effects of red. Colour  in Turkmen clothing does not differ widely: it is dominated by red-brown tones, and the presence of blue, green, yellow, pink, blue and violet, black and white is optional. The palette of colours, going from red to white, and the fading of color, marks mankind’s life from birth to death. Young people wear bright clothes, in ageing the color becomes lighter, pastel: green – the color for girls, yellow – for older women and mothers, white – only for old women. This colour gradation is strictly observed in female headdresses and capes. After marriage or the marriage of a child, clothing colour changes to white for mothers. Some groups of Turkmens wear yellow clothing on the second day after the wedding. Later, yellow scarves are worn for 2-3 days, and then are worn only at mourning ceremonies.

Decorating Clothes 

Turkmens decorate clothing very modestly: narrow geometric patterns of dots, dashes and double scrolls were sewn on the collar, and along the edges of clothing slits. The bases of slits are reinforced, especially with dense, bright satin, called gurtykin or pugtama

The bottom of the trousers are also decorated with embroidery, but mainly for young people. 

Turkmens sew amulets on outerwear when they leave their homes. Women usually sew a big red or green triangle (dogadzhik or doga), which means “protector from evil” on the back of men’s coats (chekmen). Women sew dogas not only on the back, but also on the sleeves and shoulders, and often embroidered them with their geometric or floral patterns. Against the modest background of the decoration of everyday clothing, the embroidered festival clothing of women was eye-catching, striking, with a variety of subjects portrayed and a wealth of fabric. Some groups of Turkmen women wear bibs on top of a simple dress(koynek), embroidered with colourful threads and oval silver plates (albasami), sewn in a series of 45-50 pieces, like scales covering the front of their dresses. Festive outerwear is brightly decorated: the neck and cuts are trimmed with silver circles (chapraz), and at the bottom of the chabyta, that prevents anyone from seeing the flowers in a narrow vase – a figure called “lunar vessel” (mie kunduk). The kurt is embroidered with branches, flowers and broken, wavy lines with trefoil and buds, and the head is covered with chyrpyor purendzhek, displaying red, blooming tulips on top. Such naturalistic motifs are most likely inherited from pre-Islamic times.

Wedding Dress and a Crown made of Dough 

A special, luxurious dress is the right of the Turkmen bride: sewn from red germezi keteni, the wedding gown (chekmen), is embroidered on the shoulders, arms, and back with amulets, next to embroidered pheasants, goats, camels, horsemen and women with widespread arms in long dresses and rays around their heads. The most amazing part of the bridal costume is the khasab (or hasava), tall (up to 30 cm or more), with the headdress growing wider towards the top, sort of an echo of the ancient ceremonial headdress associated with the cult of the goddess of fertility. The frame is made of several layers of fabric glued together with thick dough. The upper part is made of stacked rings of grass bundles. Some groups of Turkmens sculpt the khasab completely out of grass bundles or straw. All this construction is then wrapped in red silk, and black or dark blue velveteen or velvet strips were sewn on top of it, which are later decorated with silver and golden squares and circles, gold, cornelian set in silver, and pendants, hanging low on the forehead. Long silver chains with plates in the form of female figurines are attached at the temples. Some khasab tops are adorned with pointed objects, recalling crowns or tiaras. They throw a red silk veil or purendzhek, embroidered with branches, leaves and flowers on top of such a massive crown. Not every family can afford a khasab, decorated with pure gold and silver, so it is often simply borrowed from rich neighbours.

The Mysterious Cave Spring

The Mysterious Cave Spring

Discovering the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan

Zhylagan-ata is located in the Turkestan region, it is included in the map of sacred Kazakhstan and is among the most valuable monuments of the country’s natural heritage. The legend of this place is characterised by the places of a special child. But no one knows the secret of the cave waterfall, however because of the legend many people believe in the healing power of the place. 

According to legend, there was an old man named Gurzikhan. He was rich, but he and his wife had no children. At the time when Islam came to the Kazakh land, Gurzikhan converted to Islam, became a Muslim, and he and his wife went to the ridges of Mount Karatau to ask God for a child. Accepting the will of God, Shash-Ana’s mother gave birth to a child, but the child was born wrapped in a wineskin (a wineskin made of whole goat skin). Then Kydyr Ata gave Gurzikhan a vision. In this dream, he said: your wife should revile him for a while, but the child will not talk, will not laugh and will not cry. When his time comes, he will be born on his own and will leave his wineskin. 

But some time passed, and the child was in no hurry. One day, when the mother got tired of wearing it, coming closer to the river (the river is located near the village of Igilik, not far from the cave of Zhylagan Ata), she angrily said: “Oh, my God, why do I have such torments, in my old age, to carry this burden in myself!”. As soon as she said that, the boy jumped out off the wineskin and ran away. His parents ran after him, hoping to catch up with him, but the boy did not stop. He was running playfully along the road, but his parents were tired. Suddenly they were thirsty, they stopped, and the boy found hit the ground with a cane, after which a well appeared there. The well is called a Taskudyk (Stone Well). Currently, “taskuduk” is found along the way to the cave of Zhylagan-ata and is considered sacred. When the parents came to the well, the boy playing with a stone, for some reason, continued to ignore them. They could not catch up with their son, the son climbed high up the mountain, and suddenly said: “40 days were tolerated before my birth, there is only one day left, if you had suffered one more day, everything would have been great, sorry!” He hid in a cave, and disappeared before their eyes.


Now this big cave consists of three large holes. The first hole appeared when the parents looked back at their son with hope, the second hole appeared when the Soviet government wanted to explore this place to solve the mystery. But they did not succeed. The third time they set off an explosion again, but the cave was covered with snakes.


Now the land of “Zhylagan Ata” is known for its sacred water flowing from this mountain cave, but water flows only when reading the Koran, and not just like that. When a waterfall suddenly collapses, those who come to this place do not know, sometimes even one or two days will pass, sometimes weeks of waiting for water. This taiga waterfall is popularly called “The Crying Old Man”, that is, Zhylagan ata. No matter how many domestic and foreign scientists have tried to test it with their instruments, their instruments refused to work. No one can still say with certainty why the water flows only at certain times. In front of this cave there is a stone resembling a human figure. They say that from time to time water comes out of the stone.

Many people remember that during the years of independence, many historical and cultural monuments and objects were reconstructed within the framework of the state program “Cultural Heritage” in order to change the spiritual orientation of the people. That is why sacred objects will forever remain in the hearts of people. If the generation is wise, there will be no shortage of the great steppe.

by Ainur Kumarkhanova

Greening Cities Through Green Campuses

Greening Cities Through Green Campuses

Over the past few years, the themes of sustainable development and the challenges related to climate change are rapidly moving from the pages of academic journals and academic conferences to the front pages of popular newspapers, TV talk shows, and social media. Even everyday discussions of ordinary citizens often go around the topics of climate abnormalities and the impact of weather changes on everyday planning and lifestyle.

Indeed, we all have concerns about many issues that have emerged from climate change. How to react to unusual heat in our cities? How to react to the increasingly high level of air pollution in our districts? How to react to the disappearance of green parks and trees around our counties?

Of course, our politicians, government officials, city councils, and members of parliament work on addressing those problems at macro development levels, as they make important decisions, introduce laws, and regulate businesses and economic activities. Diplomats are busy crafting inter-government treaties and agreements, which are designed to improve international cooperation in dealing with pollution and climate change at state, regional and global levels.

However, there is still a place for ordinary citizens and especially for creative youth to contribute to solving global sustainability challenges at local levels. As the ancient Central Asian proverb says: “if every person will plant even one flower, the whole world will become a garden!”

For example, universities and university campuses have huge potential, especially if they are located within the cities. Universities and university campuses have huge technological potential to become central in identifying innovative technological development and technological ways to make our cities smarter. They also have the intellectual potential for social innovations and for mobilising activists at the community level on a small scale but in a smart way. Importantly, they can create, plan and implement concrete projects both inside and outside university campuses. Over the past few years, the concept of a Green Campus increasingly become popular among students and faculty members.

Take the example of Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU) – which is located in one of the central districts of Almaty city in Kazakhstan. The entire university community – teachers, administrators, and students – have begun working together on the development of the concept of a ‘Green Campus’ by regularly brainstorming smart ideas for greening the campus and adopting smart technologies and innovations to make their campus even greener and smarter. The discussion of concepts of a Green Campus have allowed students and faculty members to analyse what should be done and to develop a systematic approach for planning and doing, even more, both today and in the future. Students and faculty members of KazNARU – like their colleagues and classmates from other universities in Kazakhstan and many other countries in Europe – have started from small projects. For example, they have increased the use of electric bicycles and scooters inside and outside of their campus. They plant and replant trees and flowers inside and outside of the campus making both the campus and city even greener. In addition, students promote recycling ideas like switching from traditional plastic bottles to the usage of recyclable and multiuser bottles. Many students are also involved in various innovative initiatives, like eco-trons, eco-startups, and eco-innovations. There is also a proposal that students’ assignments should focus on practical sustainable development solutions, instead of writing on vague topics just for getting grades.  The laboratories and experimental plots of the university make their contributions by working on the selection of new plants, bushes, and trees, which are better adapted for vertical city gardening, absorbing CO2, and for climate change. 

The opportunities for implementation of the Green Campus concept are limitless. Practically every Central Asian republic and many countries in Europe have hundreds of thousands of students who can make not only intellectual but also practical contributions to greening their cities by developing, designing, and implementing their very own smart green and innovative ideas for their campuses and their cities and ultimately contributing to addressing global climate change challenges.

By Rafis Abazov

Rafis Abazov, Ph.D., is a visiting professor at Kazakh National Agrarian University (KazNARU) and a director of the Institute for Green and Sustainable Development. He is the author of The Formation of Post-Soviet International Politics in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan (1999), The Culture and Customs of the Central Asian Republics (2007), The Stories of the Great Steppe (2013), and some others

Introducing the Desert Monitor

Introducing the Desert Monitor

The desert monitor is a large lizard, reminiscent of a dragon, and commanding instinctive respect from anyone who sees it. It is common throughout the Central Asian steppe, can weigh up to 3 kg and grow up to one and a half metres long.

Desert monitors can also be found in North Africa and Southeast Asia. It mainly inhabits sandy deserts and is very well adapted to harsh environments.

The desert monitor’s primary color is brownish with circumferential stripes, which allows it to blend easily into the desert landscape. It can also change colour to match its surroundings, and is diurnal.

Each year, females over the age of four lay up to 20 eggs in their burrows. Hatchlings crawl up to the surface, where they are left to fend completely for themselves – not all of them surviving this process. The average lifespan of a desert monitor is around 10 years.

There are many myths pertaining to this unique lizard. For instance, it is said that it can break a dog’s leg with its tail, and bite off a human finger with its sharp teeth.

The Uzbek name for the desert monitor is “echkemar”, which means “creature which sucks goats’ milk”. It is probably associated with yet another myth that this lizard creeps into barns at night, wraps its tail around goats’ legs, and drinks their milk.

The English name of the monitor lizard is representative of its lifestyle. Roaming regularly through colonies of rodents, it eats not only unwary inhabitants, but any living creature within its grasp: birds, smaller lizards, snakes, insects and sometimes hares, hedgehogs and turtles.

Despite being a terror to all small desert inhabitants, young desert monitors may themselves become a larger predator’s lunch; birds of prey and foxes being their enemy. When feeling threatened, the lizard hisses, expands its body by inhaling, and strikes out with its tail, lashing it from side to side. Its numerous small teeth are well suited to holding its prey. Males often use their teeth to fight off potential rivals during the mating season. However, desert monitors prefer to retreat when they encounter humans.

These lizards can remain in hibernation for as long as one and a half years. In cooler weather, they are not as fast as they are under the hot summer sun, when they can demonstrate unexpected agility and sprint short distances at amazing speed. Desert monitors can easily climb small trees and enter various burrows, enlarging them if necessary.

In the 20th Century, desert monitor leather came into fashion, and they were killed in tens of thousands. This led to a sharp drop in their numbers in the wild, and in some areas they became extinct. The situation was worsened by the encroachment of cultivation into their habitats. Nowadays the desert monitor species are included in the Red Book of the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and national Red Books of countries where this animal is still found. Intrepid naturalists may see this unusual lizard in Tashkent Zoo or on an adventurous trip to Central Asian deserts.

Alexander Esipov

Helen Bykova

Photos by Alexander Esipov

M@RCH CONTACT INTERNATIONAL FORUM

M@RCH CONTACT INTERNATIONAL FORUM

The International Youth Theatre Forum “M@rch.Contact” dates back to 2006. The city of Mogilev of the Republic of Belarus plays host each year. To date, the Forum is one of the most anticipated cultural events in Belarus in the theatrical arena. In its fifteen-year history, the Forum has gathered participants from more than twenty countries. On its stage it has shown at least two hundred performances, which have been watched by over forty thousand spectators. Theatre troupes from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Israel and many others have taken part in the festival. 

The opening of the theatre forum takes place on the stage of the Mogilev Regional Drama Theatre, the oldest theatre in the region, founded in 1888. It is noteworthy that during the First World War (1914-1918), the Russian Emperor Nicholas II was in Mogilev. Since there were few cultural institutions in the city, he regularly visited the city theatre, and the place he usually had occupied has since been called the “Imperial”. By the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus in 2008, the building of the city theatre was included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of the Republic of Belarus.

The infrastructure of “M@rch.Contact” is quite extensive and diverse. During the theatre week, in addition to the main venue, guests are invited to the Mogilev Regional Puppet Theatre, the Mogilev Concert Hall, the Regional Centre for Creativity, as well as improvised open-air scenes on pedestrian streets of the city.

At the theatre festival, performances on the topic of mass culture and the global Internet, personality formation, love and relationships in the family, relations between parents and children and much more are offered to the audiences. The program of the forum is extensive and grows every year so that every participant can find a performance to their taste. To the attention of foreign guests of the city and the country, national Belarusian productions with local flavour and entourage are presented, fascinating with their depth and understandable simplicity even to the most sophisticated viewer.

Within the framework of the youth forum, master classes are held for actors, directors and other employees and students of the theatre sphere, along with discussions held in the format of creative meetings to exchange opinions and discuss productions. 

The founders of the forum are the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee and the Mogilev Regional Drama Theatre. In 2022, eleven creative teams from Belarus, Russia, Moldova, and Armenia took part in the forum. The theatre forum, which combines the best of traditional theatre productions and innovative live communication with the audience, allows you to plunge yourself into the atmosphere of creativity and stage magic, meet new people, as well as become acquainted with a new country and its distinctive culture.

By Irina Yegorova

A ‘Stan’ No More? – Should Kazakhstan Change its Name?

A ‘Stan’ No More? – Should Kazakhstan Change its Name?

In recent months, in a bid to rebrand and distance itself from its often turbulent neighbours, the perennial question of whether Kazakhstan should change its name has raised its head once more. First mooted by Nursultan Nazarbayev back in February 2014, the former president argued that the ending ‘Stan’ led many people to lump Kazakhstan in not only with the other nations of Central Asia but also with hotspots such as Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the words of the Director of the Kazakhstan Risk Assessment Group and member of the presidium of the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations, Dosym Satpayev, ‘in the outside world there has long been the stereotype of Central Asia as the region of the five ‘Stans,’ although in general political terms Kazakhstan and its neighbours still greatly differ from one another.’ So, how much should be read into a name, and what are the potential benefits and drawbacks of a change?

To begin with, it should be noted that there are a plethora of examples of countries which are known by one name internally and another externally. A prime example of this is Georgia, which locals call ‘Sakartvelo,’ derived from the Georgian region of Kartli, which was also known as Iberia in Byzantine and Classical sources. Though there are multiple theories as to why foreign designations for Georgia came to be, it is widely held that the Russian name ‘Gruzya’ and the Western name came from the Persian moniker for the area, ‘Gurğān,’ meaning ‘land of the wolves.’ Staying with this region, the external name for the breakaway Republic of Artsakh is even more convoluted, with the name ‘Nagorno-Karabakh,’ meaning ‘Black Mountain Garden,’ coming from an amalgam of three languages: Turkish, Persian, and Russian.

A country choosing to change its name is not without precedent, and happens more frequently than one might initially think, and for a variety of reasons. Recent examples would be Macedonia becoming North Macedonia, and the Czech Republic rebranding as Czechia. In the case of North Macedonia, this change was made to end a long-standing dispute with Greece which had been a source of instability in the Western Balkans and effectively stymied Macedonia’s attempts to join NATO and the European Union, but with Czechia, the change came to pass for more aesthetic reasons.

When Czechoslovakia broke apart in 1993, the Czech part of the name was slated to serve as the name of the new Czech state, but many felt that ‘Česko’ sounded harsh and was too reminiscent of ‘Československo.’ Statesman and playwright Václav Havel stated that ‘slugs crawl on me a little whenever I read or hear the word ‘Česko,’ whilst the explorer Miroslav Zikmund associated it with Hitler’s Nuremberg rallies. According to Petr Pavlínek, a member of the Civic Initiative Czechia which was launched in 1997 and campaigned for a change in the country’s name: ‘People were concerned that the name Bohemia (which translates as Čechy) was increasingly used for the entire country even though Bohemia only covers the western half of Czechia. Bohemia does not include Moravia or Silesia. [Now] both Czechia and the Czech Republic are correct. Countries usually have two official names: a formal name and a short name. Short names are much more practical than formal names. Eventually, many Czechs will realise that Czechia makes a lot of sense in a similar way that Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Indonesia, Australia and other short country names do. It’s only a matter of getting used to it.’

Other factors to consider include the cost of a change, and whether the new name will take root. An example of the latter would be Kyrgyzstan, which may officially be called the ‘Kyrgyz Republic,’ but few people refer to it as such. In terms of the cost, meanwhile, in 2018 one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchs, His Royal Highness, King Mswati III told a crowd gathered at a small sports stadium that Swaziland was no more, and henceforth the ‘country will be officially known as the Kingdom of eSwatini,’ meaning ‘Home of the Swazi people.’ According to the intellectual property lawyer, Darren Olivier, although ‘there’s intrinsic value in that identity and what it means for the people, at the same time there’s a cost – a physical cost in changing the identity.’ Olivier estimated it would set the country back $6 million to change its name, a figure which is ‘not insignificant’ for a minnow nation.

Of course, budgetary issues are not such a pressing concern for natural resource rich Kazakhstan. However, whilst arguing in favour of a change, Dosym Satpayev stated that ‘from which sources the state will take the resources for rebranding is not known,’ before concluding that the burden would be considerable and would likely come from the National Fund and tapping into taxpayers. 

Kazakhstan is no stranger to name changes, or change in general. In 2021, the government long-mooted announced plans to switch from Cyrillic to the Latin alphabet, and this on top of an earlier transition from Arabic to Latin, and then to Cyrillic. Between 1991 and 2005, three oblasts, twelve cities, 53 districts, and 957 smaller settlements were renamed, Alma-Ata becoming Almaty, Guriyev becoming Atyrau, etc., though in many cases this was done to replace Soviet-era names with Kazakh names. More recently, following eleven years of lobbying, in 2019, the capital, Astana, formerly known as Akmolinsk, and then as Tselinograd, was rebranded Nur-Sultan in honour of former president Nazarbayev, though given his fall from grace following the uprising in January, this should perhaps serve as a cautionary tale.  

Unsurprisingly, talk of a change of name has met with a hostile reception in Russia, with the tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda opining that: ‘It is exactly with this sort of talk that many interethnic conflicts began in the post-Soviet lands. When Moldavia became Moldova, when Tajikistan became Tojikiston, when Chechnya became Ichkeria and Yugoslavia became a cluster of warring microstates.’ Putting this revanchist imperialism to one side, however, aside from the obvious rebranding and distancing the country from its arguably less stable neighbours, what are the arguments for a change, and what alternatives are on the table? 

The option favoured by MP and Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, Aidos Sarym, and leader of the ‘constructive opposition’ party, Ak Zhol, Azat Peruashev, is ‘Kazakh Republic.’ This name would ‘restore historic justice and boost unity and amity among all ethnicities,’ argues Peruashev. Another possible moniker is ‘Kazakhia,’ which would chime with the former president’s praise for the name ‘Mongolia.’ This option may not fare well with nationalists, however, as it would bear distinct similarities to names in Russian, such as Rossiya (Russia) and Turtsiya (Turkey).

Former president Nazarbayev’s suggestion was ‘Kazakh Yeli,’ which means ‘country of the Kazakhs,’ whereas Kazakhstan means ‘land of the Kazakhs.’ As ethnic Kazakhs account for 63.1% of the population, ethnic Russians 23.7%, and a veritable smorgasbord including Ukrainians, Uyghurs, Germans and Koreans in a land which was home to some of the largest Soviet-era gulags, there is an argument that Kazakh Yeli would be more inclusive. Kazakhstan is predominantly Muslim, but also has a sizeable Orthodox Christian community, and a change to Kazakh Yeli may be welcomed by citizens who are not ethnically Kazakh as a path to forming a national identity they can embrace. Despite the spectacular downfall of Nazarbayev, therefore, there may be a case for not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. 

By Stephen M. Bland

The Shakespeare of the Turkic World

130th anniversary of the outstanding Azerbaijani dramatist, Huseyn Javid

“Damn all life, all the Universe, 

if all the glorious world wars,

 bloody battles won’t generate love in the end,

universal love”

Huseyn Javid,

Extract from the play “Amir Timur”

Biography

The outstanding poet and playwright, Huseyn Javid, was born in 1882 in the ancient Azerbaijani city of Nakhichevan. His father was a theologian, but was also known as an expert on eastern poetry and music. After graduating from a mollakhana, an elementary school, where Javid learnt to read and write, he entered four-grade school, Mektebi-terbiye, which was founded by Mohammed Tagi Sidgi, one of famous educators at the end of the 19th Century. After leaving school, Javid wanted to continue his education, but acute eye illness compelled him to go to Tabriz for treatment, where his elder brother was living. In 1905, Javid went to Turkey where for a year he prepared himself for preliminary courses of the famous Turkish poet and philosopher, Rzy Tevfik, and then entered the literary department of Istanbul University. Although a first-year student, he also attended second year lectures. He experienced material difficulties in Turkey, pointing out in one of his letters: “I manage to live for weeks on only bread and cheese”. In letters the young student sharply criticized the regime of Sultan Abdulhamid who “fiercely smothers political freedom, and freedom of speech, thought and conscience. The word “independence” is strictly forbidden here”. In 1909, Javid returned home and began to teach Azerbaijani language and literature at schools in Tiflis (Tbilisi), Gandja, and Nakhichevan. His poems, and then his plays were published in the press at that time.

In 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic declared independence, the first such independent republic in the Muslim East. The process of national revival had begun and Javid moved to Baku. His works were published in big print runs during this period, and he was named the “Shakespeare of the Turkic World”.

In 1920, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was conquered by the Red Army. Javid took the liquidation of independence hard and, though his works continued to be staged and he himself was included in the structure of the Union of Writers of Azerbaijan, on principal he did not write works to propagandize Soviet power. He would be blamed for it later.

On 4th June 1937, Javid was arrested. The file of the criminal case shows that the investigation lasted almost two years, but he could not be forced to slander himself or any of his friends and acquaintances. Despite being very ill, thrown into a rough cell, and exhausted by interrogations lasting many days, he stuck to his convictions. In June 1939, a special meeting, a “troika” (a group of three people) considered his case for 25 minutes and accepted the final charge: “Huseyn Javid is accused of being a member of a counter-revolutionary, nationalist organization in Baku. In essence, Huseyn Javid did not admit his guilt under interrogation”. Javid was sentenced to a labour camp in Siberia for eight years. Javid died in Magadan on 5th December 1941, before the end of his sentence. In March 1956, the criminal case against Javid was reviewed, and, in the absence of any evidence of a crime, he was rehabilitated.

Poetic Creativity

Javid’s first poem was printed in the Baku magazine “Fiyuzat” in 1906, and the first collection of his poems, “The Past Days”, was published in 1913. A new collection, “Spring Dew”, was published in 1917. Besides lyrical verses, young Javid also wrote social poems. His demands for social reform drew the attention of the imperial police, who became interested in his political orientation in 1914.

 Javid become famous as a poet-humanist with his works, where motifs of philosophical lyrics, questions of humanism, and philanthropy were reflected. However, the awful events at the beginning of the 20th Century, the start of the First World War convinced Javid of the need to overcome abstract-political conclusions and representations, and, by writing dramatic works, to show people the roots of all the evil. Javid started to write play-poems, and dramatic poems, the sources of which go back to Mohammed Fizuli’s poems and William Shakespeare’s tragedies.

Dramaturgy 

Javid’s dramas played a huge role in the formation of Azerbaijani literature of the 20th Century, especially its romantic direction. Javid’s first play, “Sheyda”, was written in 1913. The play showed that in Javid’s dramatical art the main “romantic theme” is one of love and passion, before which there are no barriers.

His play, “Sheikh Sanan”, was published in 1914. This was a romantic tragedy directed against racial and religious struggles, singing about people and love. The hero of the play, Sheikh Sanan, was on the boundary of two epochs, in search of spiritual and moral values which he could not find in habitual society, so he was torn into other worlds, trying to find love and hope.

Publication of the play “Iblis” (literally, Satan) in 1918 was like a bolt from the blue. The aggravated historical cataclysms of his time allowed the author to see clearly in these events originally tragic embodiments of Satanism. Heroes of this type had been created in European dramatic art before Javid’s time: Milton, Mephistopheles, and Goethe’s Satan, Byron’s Lucifer, Lermontov’s Demon. But Javid’s play was not about the casting of a Mephistophelean type of hero. Javid brought the Satan closer to life, forcing him to participate in what was unattractive in it. In the image of the Satan he pursues the aim of finding an original cause of the defects, having plunged people into their troubles: world war, hatred of one another, ruin, death, and grief. Everything is the result of the revelry of demonic forces unleashed by the malicious will of rulers. Javid’s Satan shows in what conditions crimes are born, how people themselves become demons and how these demons start to walk over the world, bearing their plans for war, cataclysms, and terror.

In addition to historical plays: “Prince”, “Siyavush”, “Topal Teymur” (“Amir Timur”) and philosophical plays: “Mother”, “Khayyam”, “Maral”, “Prophet”, “Iblis’s Revenge”, from 1910 to 1926, Javid wrote nine plays, six of which are about the pre-revolutionary period. According to his daughter, Turan Khanum, the manuscripts of the plays “Attila”, “Chingiz”, “Inspiration of a Demon”, “Shahla”, “Telli Saz”, and the scenario “Keroglu” disappeared during the arrests and searches of 1937. After the rehabilitation of her father she asked the security service to find and return these works. But it seemed that all the works had been burnt.

Scenic Life of Javid’s Works 

His plays, “Iblis”, “Sheikh Sanan”, “Sheyda”, “Afet”, and “Topal Tejmur” were staged in his lifetime. The longest running plays were “Iblis” (till 1925) and “Sheikh Sanan” (till 1930). The works were a great success, and played a big role in the formation of Azerbaijani drama theatre. The huge influence of Javid’s works was also recognized by the inspectors who conducted his criminal case. It was not by chance, that in his criminal case it was recorded that: “As a skilled playwright, he influenced the youth. He has created his own “school”, in opposition to the Soviet school”.

Despite the popularity in Central Asia during the 1920s and 1930s, Javid’s works were forbidden after he had been repressed, and his plays were staged again only after his rehabilitation. His last, completed, large work, “Khayyam”, was staged for the first time in 1970.

Life after Death 

A house-museum in Baku and, later, a house-museum in Nakhichevan were created for the playwright’s 100th anniversary. In 1982, thanks to the efforts of the head of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, Javid’s grave was found in a cemetery of the repressed in Siberia. His coffin was transported home and reburied in Nakhichevan. Javid’s drama, “Amir Timur”, was shown on Azerbaijani television in 1983.

Since independence, Javid’s works have often been republished in Azerbaijani and other languages, a “Theatre of Poetry of Huseyn Javid” was organized, and streets, parks, schools, and cinemas were named after him. A monument to Javid was erected in Baku in 1993.

In 1996, a mausoleum, in the style of medieval mausoleums of Azerbaijan, was built over the poet’s grave in Nakhichevan. Visitors to Nakhichevan, whether they are tourists or businessmen, should visit the tomb of the man rightly called “Shakespeare of the Turkic World” in his lifetime.

 Sharaf Rashidov – Man and Politician

 Sharaf Rashidov – Man and Politician

Celebrating the 105th anniversary of his birth

In the autumn of 2022 the 105th anniversary of the birth of Sharaf Rashidovich Rashidov will be celebrated. A famous statesman of Uzbekistan and the Soviet Union, he made a huge personal contribution to the economic and social development of Uzbekistan between 1959-83 when he was leader of the ruling Communist Party of the Republic.

October 31, 2022 will mark the 39th anniversary of Rashidov’s death. The past years have been full of events, including those related to the memory of this man. Initially, the government passed a major resolution to perpetuate his name, but soon after a campaign sought to discredit him posthumously. In the 1980s, a wave of publications continued for several years in the central media, in which Rashidov was essentially declared the organiser and inspirer of all kinds of negative phenomena in Uzbekistan. The decree on perpetuating Rashidov’s memory was revoked. His ashes were reburied from the city centre to the Chigatay city cemetery.

Nevertheless, Uzbekistan has maintained a deep respect for Rashidov’s memory throughout these years. People never believed the slanderous publications and far-fetched accusations against him. In 2017, the country widely celebrated the 100th anniversary of Rashidov. During the celebrations in Jizzakh, President Mirziyoyev opened a monument to him in his homeland. The district of Jizzakh was renamed the Sharaf Rashidov district. 

In 1991 I was given a unique opportunity to obtain access, to the “holy of holies” – the previously closed documents of the Party Archives of Uzbekistan. The documents of Rashidov’s personal file, his extensive personal correspondence, and other archival documents as well as meetings and conversations with dozens of associates and my personal observations helped to dismiss the accusations against him in the media in the 1980s.

In the course of my work with documents and reflections, I began to form an image of a rare and multi-faceted and talented prodigy. He was a real Uzbek intellectual, encyclopaedically educated, who had an infused desire to do good for others. Rashidov sharply suppressed attempts to distort reporting, embezzlement, deception of the state, and demanded that those who allowed this be brought to justice. He did not tolerate lies, deceit, and parade. 

One of the main sources of information about Rashidov as a man and a politician is his personal correspondence. His rich epistolary archive makes a powerful impression. Rashidov’s correspondence reveals the generosity of his soul and the kindness of his heart, as well as the love and great respect that he enjoyed not only in Uzbekistan but also beyond its borders. 

Rashidov sincerely loved people, reaching out to them, and they reciprocated in return. As First Secretary of the Central Committee, he spent a lot of time on business trips. He was constantly in the midst of people. He finds warm words for everyone he talks to. After a conversation with him, people would leave feeling elated and inspired. His respectful and sincere attitude, coupled with deep attention to the person he was talking to, easily won people over. Rashidov impressed many people with his talent for communication, kindness, caring, and ability to hold a captivating and exciting conversation with his interlocutors. They admired his profound knowledge of ancient and modern history and modern literature. 

Studying the letters, memoirs of comrades-in-arms and other documents, one concludes: in Moscow, in the Politburo, in ministries and departments, in the union republics, Rashidov’s human and business potential, his intelligence, friendliness and internationalism were very highly valued. Uzbekistan under his leadership was a winner in the All-Union socialist competition from year to year. All this aroused respect in Moscow. 

There is no doubt that Rashidov’s role in the rapid development of Uzbekistan’s productive forces in the 1960s-1980s was significant, and perhaps even decisive. He understood that the republic had a high population growth rate. In 1959, there were 8.5 million people, while in 1983 there were 17.0 million. In less than 24 years the population had doubled. He saw that it was necessary to create new jobs, and improve the conditions and quality of life of people. He helped develop and irrigate new lands, build new roads, cities, and develop new sectors of the economy. 

As a result, in the 1960s-80s the agrarian republic was transformed into an agrarian-industrial republic. More than 2 million hectares of new lands were watered and developed, hundreds of industrial enterprises were built in all regions. Among them are the famous giants of non-ferrous metallurgy and gold mining, such as the Almalyk and Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combines. Thousands of kilometres of new roads and railroads, dozens of cities and towns appeared on the map of the republic.

Hi work couldn’t have been carried out without his team. Rashidov’s talent as an outstanding organiser, deep insight, and knowledge of people and their psychology, allowed him to select and place people around him who could work selflessly. These were creative, ambitious, enterprising people, excellent organisers and specialists. They worked confidently, constantly felt the business support, attention, and respect of Rashidov. When necessary, the leader of the Republic came to their aid, appealed to the Centre and the Union ministries to solve the most difficult issues.

Fate and history had wished Sharaf Rashidov to be “in the right place at the right time”. After heading Uzbekistan for almost a quarter of a century under the conditions of a centralised union state, limitation of rights and possibilities of the republics, thanks to the rarest gift of man and politician Sharaf Rashidov managed to achieve the maximum possible for its social and economic development. A powerful scientific, industrial and social infrastructure was created, as well as an atmosphere of friendship and co-operation among millions of people of different nationalities.

Sharaf Rashidov has remained in the hearts and memory of millions of people. The following lines of the great poet Alisher Navoi are fully applicable to him, a faithful son of the Uzbek people:

Since the best of men must pass through Death’s portal,

Happy is he who makes his name immortal.

Information about the author:

Rizaev Saidakbar Rizaevich – Doctor of Historical Sciences, Director of Scientific-Technical Enterprise “ITM-TASHABBUS” Ltd.     

E-mail: rizaev41@mail.ru

KAZAKHSTAN. NEW NAME, NEW LIFE, NEW TARGETS

‘You call your luxury yacht “Titanic,” and it sinks soon after that.’

Does the issue sound relevant to you? Can the name really determine the future? We won’t dig into the roots of the question, but if it makes sense to you, then let’s continue with this point: name is destiny. That’s why it’s so important for every nation to have a name which fits it, and why the Republic of Kazakhstan needs this change so badly. 

The renaming and rebranding of the country is not just an attempt to distract attention from some political and economic issues. It’s an endeavour to find a new path for the whole state. Historically, Kazakhstan is a very diverse land uniting three zhuzs (union of tribes), and over a hundred tribes and different groups in north, south, east and west. The territory of Kazakhstan is extremely fragmented, and at the beginning of the summer 2022 three more new provinces were added to the map.

Due to public disagreements, in recent times, political, economic, social and other issues have become more complex. This means that the main idea Kazakh officials should keep in their minds – and to a large part they do – is how to build a holistic state with a common ideal. In this case, the question of the name appears to be more complicated than it might initially seem. The current name, ‘Kazakhstan’ (‘Qazaqstan’ – literally, the ‘land of the Kazakhs’) has some inherent contradictions. On the one hand, it’s the name of a territory but not the state, and therefore doesn’t contain any idea of the nation. ‘Stan’ is most likely derived from Slavic language groups, and usually means a limited inhabited area, which doesn’t represent the traditional nomadic mentality and lifestyle of ethnic Kazakhs. The Proto-Indo-European root ‘sta’ means to ‘stand.’ In Russian, ‘stan’ means ‘settlement’ or ‘semi-permanent camp,’ and in other Slavic languages it means ‘apartment.’ Experts in Kazakhstan have also asserted that this name doesn’t work well for the external brand of the country. This is why it makes no sense to use any “territorial” name, such as the ‘Great Qazaq Steppe’ (though it’s perhaps a very interesting name in terms of marketing, it could only be an informal one). So, in 2014, Nursultan Nazarbayev (the president at that time) proposed the new name ‘Qazaq Eli,’ literally ‘the State of the Kazakhs.’ 

Of Course, some patriotic native Kazakhs supported that idea, and the name itself sounds good, but unlike ‘Kazakhstan,’ it doesn’t take into consideration the multinational composition of the country. Not all ethnic groups are ready to declare themselves ‘Kazakhs’ or agree that Kazakhs are the only ones leading the nation. Within the Kazakh ethnic group there is no consensus either, because there are at least three zhuzs (families) – elder, middle and younger – divided into tribes, so the question about power remains open. 

At the beginning of the 20 century, an attempt to give the country the name of a nation was made – it sounded like ‘Alash-Orda’ (meaning ‘people’s republic,’) but it didn’t work. The term ‘Republic’ isn’t particularly useful, and the idea of changing ‘Kazakhstan’ to ‘Qazaq Republic’ didn’t get a huge amount of support. Now, the current president of Kazakhstan, K.-Z. Tokayev has noted that a united nation is important more than ever, and this is not only about the union of people who actually live in Kazakhstan but also about kandas (literally, ‘one blooded persons’) aka oralman (ancient Kazakh tribes representatives born and raised in other countries). More than a million oralman have already come to Kazakhstan and tried to find their place in the community.

Perhaps the best concept, therefore, is a name which reflects not only the mono-structural but also the multi-structural organisation of the state, as is the case with the ‘United Kingdom’,’ the ‘United States of America’,’ or the ‘United Arab Emirates,’ for example. These names give some sense of identity to each national group without losing the main territorial idea of a holistic country. Such names are also very effective name in terms of the international brand, showing democracy and the power of the state, and its modern way of life.

If ‘United,’ though, the next question is ‘United’ what? It could be the ‘United Qazaq Republic,’ but as we have already seen, the term ‘Republic’ doesn’t sit well with historical notions of Kazakh identity based on tribal rules of power. The name ‘United Qazaq Steppe’ is more striking and catches one’s attention with its uniqueness. This name might be a good marketing trick in terms of tourism, but it would be the same thing as ‘Qazaq-stan’ – the name of a territory, but not a nation. A highly authentic name could be the ‘United Qazaq Zhuz.’ Unfortunately, however, this might be a bit narrow to describe the wide variety of peoples that live in the territory of modern Kazakhstan.

So, perhaps the ‘Birikken Qazaq Eli’ (‘United Qazaq State’) or Birikken Qazaq Dostastiq (‘United Qazaq Commonwealth’) are the best options. They both sound powerful, reflect the key identity and give some autonomy to different districts whilst still keeping the whole together. Such a name doesn’t contain a strong territorial tag, but describes a community of lands united by the idea of a common state. Of course, this is only a suggestion, and an analysis of economic or other risks was not the aim of this article, which was simply to attempt to find a new way of understanding the complicated path of the nation in its quest for identity and sustainability.

By Taina Kaunis and Marat Akhmedjanov

Iran on the Horizon: Future Prospects for Central Asian Rapprochement

Iran on the Horizon: Future Prospects for Central Asian Rapprochement

In recent years, China has propelled itself to the position of Central Asia’s leading external partner – in the process, investing previously unthinkable sums of money in the region and expanding its political and economic influence. However, Iran, whilst currently unable to compete with China in Central Asia on almost all fronts, has repositioned itself towards fostering engagement with the former Soviet “Stans”. Tehran, combining its sizeable religious and ethnic affinity with many parts of the region and its access to vital seaports and security priorities in Afghanistan, has leveraged a more-than cordial level of rapport with the countries of Central Asia. To this end, Iran has implemented a new “Look East” policy to engage Central Asian countries on a selective, bilateral basis, which contrasts with China’s hegemonic approach of pumping billions into Central Asia, viewing the region as a vital ingredient to its global infrastructure and soft power agenda.

The Central Asia Barometer (CAB) Survey is a biannual large-scale research project which measures social, economic, and political atmospheres in Central Asian nations by conducting interviews with 1,000-2,000 respondents in each country from 2017 (Wave 1) to 2021 (Wave 10). Data collected by CAB shows that Iran is seemingly perceived as unknown – unproven, untested, and unfamiliar. However, Iran could see itself considered as a possible supplementary partner on the horizon, offering a different set of opportunities and challenges for Central Asia.

Iran is a nation that possesses deep historical ties to large parts of Central Asia, given the cultural and linguistic legacy which sprawling Persian empires left upon the region. Even today, Uzbek cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara boast large Persian-speaking populations, while Tajikistan remains a majority ethnically and linguistically Persian nation. However, only recently has Central Asia become a policy priority for Tehran, which now sees this region as a potential “bridge” between Iran and the East. The “Look East” policy constitutes a key aspect of Iran’s approach to international relations, and it has sprung engagement with nations within the region on an individual, bilateral basis – in particular, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

1. Public sentiment toward Iran Remains Low and Uncertain

Surprisingly, many in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan remain ambivalent in their sentiments towards Iran. Despite a large Persian legacy in sections of Central Asia and recent efforts by Tehran to establish a stronger presence within the region, Iran is just simply not on the radar for many.

When asked their opinion on Iran, around one quarter and above of all respondents from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan replied with the answer “Don’t Know” over several different waves of the Central Asia Barometer study. 

In addition, the number of those who report a very unfavorable opinion of Iran has steadily risen from 2017 onward. Perhaps residents of these nations are hesitant to accept another large external partner within the region, given the influence which China and Russia already wield. It is conceivable that Central Asian policymakers would consider the possible implications that the Iranian exportation of the Islamic revolution could have upon their own populations, given that Central Asian nations have fought to establish themselves as independent states both politically and culturally in the wake of the Soviet Union.

2.  Iran as a Potential Future Supplemental External Partner

Kazakhstan is a nation that is linked to Iran through its joint participation in international conflict resolution, with the former often serving as the host for Iranian nuclear negotiations. Trade has also increased between these two nations as well, with the introduction of the East Caspian Rail Corridor in 2014 providing a faster and cheaper route for moving goods (and potentially passengers) along a route meaningfully linking Iran and Kazakhstan. 

Despite Uzbekistan’s previous reluctance to develop a relationship with Iran, bilateral relations between these nations have flourished. Potential transit corridors have been discussed amid Uzbekistan-Iranian trade having increased exponentially, namely in agricultural production. Both nations collaborated during the Afghan peace process; an issue of especially high priority for Iran, which had set its sights on an enhanced role in regional security. By working with Uzbekistan, a major power within the region, Iran has inserted itself into a position where it is perhaps overperforming when you consider the catastrophic challenges Tehran faces domestically – perhaps foreshadowing a future mandate to grapple with such large-scale issues on a grander scale in the future. 

Kyrgyzstan was the sole nation in the region to successfully sign a 10-year cooperation deal with Iran in 2016 and was the first to acquire dock space in Iran’s Gulf of Oman Chabahar port in 2007. Such access to the sea is especially important for the land-locked Central Asian nations, who are vying for such trade routes and facilities.  India also helped secure access to Chabahar for Turkmenistan, opening a gateway for trade to the region through Turkmenistan as well. It appears that Iran and India are directly addressing this practical need, bolstering relations and further opportunities for collaboration as well.

Despite negative sentiments surrounding Iran held by residents of these countries, there are many who have planted themselves firmly in the middle – unaware of this nation and its priorities at all. Iran remains unproven and unknown, but its priorities for the region – in particular, security and access to water – are highly salient for the growth of individual Central Asian nations. Will Iran’s repositioning towards Central Asia allow Tehran to contribute to a new multipolar environment to challenge China’s economic hegemony within the region? While Iran is unlikely to become a direct rival of China in the short term, Tehran’s “Look East” policy could provide a new set of opportunities for Central Asia. 

Looking forward, Iran must continue to engage the nations of Central Asia on a bilateral basis, determining the most mutually beneficial avenues for meaningful rapprochement. Tehran should also look to sell its economic vision for the region through enhanced collaboration with regional economic integration projects. Iran has received preliminary approval to become a full member of the Russian-Sino-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization and under the chairmanship of Russia, the Eurasian Economic Union penned a major preferential trade deal with the Middle Eastern country. Continuing along this path and in the process raising its profile beyond an unknown and alien actor in the eyes of ordinary citizens in Central Asia would present both Iran and Central Asia with a unique position.

Elizabeth Woods

Elizabeth Woods is a research fellow at Central Asia Barometer and an anthropology graduate student at the University of Tübingen. Her research focuses on  Kazakh return migrants and questions of identity, belonging, and homeland. You can find her on

Thomas Baker

Thomas Baker is a research fellow at Central Asia Barometer. After completing his master’s degree at King’s College London’s Russia Institute, he now works as an OSINT country risk researcher for the Former Soviet Union region at S&P Global. By 

The Business Ombudsman of Kyrgyzstan: 

2 Years Protecting the Business Environment

It is now nearly three years since I resigned as a UK diplomat and subsequently took up the challenge of becoming the first Business Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic, a project funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and a partnership with the government and business.  While not as conventional as going on to my next diplomatic Head of Mission role, I hoped that the creation of an organisation that could help protect the private sector from the state might contribute to the positive development of the economy and country. I was under no illusion that the challenge would be easy.

Looking back, just over 2 years have passed since opening the Business Ombudsman Institute (BOI) at the end of February 2020 to establishing ourselves as trusted partners with business and government.  But the headline figures, having helped save businesses over $24 Million and a case success rate of over 50%, give hope that it will be possible to deliver the mandate as the authorised person to “protect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of business entities”. 

There are different models of Business Ombudsmen around the region and World.  That the government of the Kyrgyz Republic chose to establish an independent Business Ombudsman and not one either reporting to government or being a civil servant is perhaps reflective of the unique openness of this country in the wider region. But in keeping with other Ombudsmen, my role is to provide a free, pre-court, alternative dispute reconciliation service that can help business overcome areas of disagreement with state bodies.  

My mandate is three-fold.  Private business can complain to me that the state (national, local, regional government, Ministries or Agencies, State Owned enterprises or state servants) have in their actions (or inactions) infringed their legitimate rights.  Secondly, I should help to increase “transparency” in state bodies and lastly I am able to recommend changes to existing laws or even suggest new laws where my work determines that there are gaps or inconsistencies that hamper business. Successive Prime Ministers have also asked me to contribute to the drive to improve the business and investment climate.   

Even by the standards of post-independence Kyrgyzstan, the past two years have been a period of tumultuous challenge.  The pandemic hit businesses and the economy hard with lockdowns, supply chain and border disruptions and inflation. October 2020 saw unrest that led to a change in leadership and since then there have been Presidential, parliamentary and local elections and associated government changes and legislative reform. This has impacted the ability to communicate our existence and mandate, especially in the regions.  Nonetheless, in this time over 200 businesses have formally registered complaints with me. Others have sought our expert advice and support to help overcome their difficulties.

Part of the challenge for my colleagues and I has been to establish and maintain good working relations with government and state bodies.  As my powers are limited to recommendations it has been essential to secure political support to encourage state bodies to implement the Response Acts that I issue if I find a business has had its rights infringed.  Successive Presidents, Prime Ministers have confirmed this and my team and I work very closely with the Ministry of Economy, the General Prosecutor’s Office and the State Tax Service.  And of course, our partners amongst the Business Associations who also work tirelessly to protect their business members. But a challenge remains to get some state bodies to engage or, at times, to implement recommendations.  

Increasingly, government Ministries consult my colleagues and I on proposed changes to legislation that affects business or the economy.  I am fortunate to have an expert team that provides high quality advice from a legal and international best practice perspective, and uses the experience we gain from the consideration of complaints and our other work.  In total I have sent government over 200 proposals and recommendations, including 34 Response Acts where I have found a complainant’s rights infringed and recommending how to rectify this and avoid them being repeated. Oher recommendations have been aimed at reducing inconsistencies and improve the prevailing business climate.  Many of these recommendations have made it through to the updated legislation.

From this wider work, we have identified several key systemic problems holding back the private sector in the Kyrgyz Republic. These include a worrying lack of consistency in state policy and frequent changes in legislation, a tendency for state bodies to make decisions in favour of the state even if improper (and even illegal at times), a lack of transparency, accountability and an apparent increase in pressure from law enforcement bodies.  

Assessing where the BOI has got to halfway through my five-year term as Business Ombudsman, I see similarities with my school reports of many years ago: some notable achievements, but much more still to be done!  But, given the ongoing geopolitical, economic, and other challenges affecting Kyrgyzstan my colleagues and I must redouble our efforts to protect the entrepreneurs and help bring about the reform in state bodies working practices, and the necessary improvements in the business and investment climate, that will provide the sustainable economic growth that Kyrgyzstan needs and deserves.

I spent thirty years as a British diplomat and was especially proud to have been Ambassador to Tajikistan and then Kyrgyzstan.  But I have never been more proud to lead a team of such dedicated, determined and professional colleagues trying to make a difference in such an important field.  There will be many more challenges ahead to deliver a lasting impact, but I remain confident that my mandate is achievable, the challenges can be overcome and that we can make a real difference in this fascinating country that has become home for me.

Robin Ord-Smith

Reference:

The Business Ombudsman is an authorized person to protect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of entrepreneurs and business entities, who operates on the basis of Decree No. 647 of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dated December 31, 2018. 

The Business Ombudsman accepts complaints by post, email, in person or online.

For more information, please visit the BOI website www.boi.kg 

TURNING THE TANK AROUND

HOW BRITAIN BECAME THE JURISDICTION OF CHOICE FOR DIRTY MONEY

AN INTERVIEW WITH DAME MARGARET HODGE 

A long-serving politician for the British Labour Party and holder of many ministerial positions during her distinguished career, on February 3rd Dame Margaret Hodge caused a stir in the House of Commons by calling on the government to sanction Kazakh oligarchs. Whilst positive changes to the hierarchy appear to be afoot, in her speech Dame Margaret highlighted how the UK is seen as the ‘jurisdiction of choice for dirty money,’ leaving numerous figures connected to the old elite, including Timur Kulibayev, Dariga and Dinara Nazarbayeva and Kairat Sharipbayev ‘laughing all the way to the bank.’ OCA Magazine decided to find out more…

OCA Magazine: Obviously, Ukraine is at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts at the moment – in terms of sanctions, do you think the British government is doing enough?

Margaret Hodge: No, I think we should go further, and I’ve given a number of lists to the foreign office of people I think should be sanctioned. Another problem is that we’ve frozen the assets of some of these people, not seized them. I think that’s a challenge for the government, to seize assets which are often being stolen from the populations, whether you’re talking about Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan or Russia. To the extent that sanctions can have an impact in the medium term – and I think we’ve got to be much tougher on cutting our oil and gas supplies from Russia – this has got to be much more vigorously pursued if it’s to be at all effective in curtailing the worst excesses of what Putin is trying to do. 

OCA: You may not be aware, but you’re now famous in Central Asia because of the statement about Kazakh oligarchs you delivered to the House of Commons. Looking at Kazakhstan in the wake of events there in January, given that the UK is among the top five countries in terms of investment, and approximately 500 British companies operate there, what impact do you think sanctioning Kazakh individuals would have on this?

MH: Obviously, it was those events that led to people talking to me about the activities of the kleptocrats, the ruling elite in Kazakhstan; it was in the wake of the response of the ruling elite and the bringing in of Russian troops to overpower the demonstrators that my attention was drawn to what was happening there. My speciality is the campaign against dirty money. If we’re serious about trying to exert our influence to clamp down on kleptocracies and to prevent Britain becoming a hub for dirty money, there may need to be an adjustment to where we invest. It goes to the financial services sector here in the UK and it will go to investment in Kazakhstan. We have to make sure there’s an ethical dimension to how we invest around the world, and I think if anything has come out of this dreadful Ukraine crisis it’s an understanding that there are ethical and moral dimensions to how we operate, both nationally and internationally, that must impact on where we invest, who we make friends with, and who we allow to trade in the UK. I think there’s going to be a cultural shift as a result of this crisis. It’s sad because it will create more a divided world, but on the other hand, where our investment can support democratic movements and the fight against kleptocracy, we should do that.

OCA: According to a KPMG report, 162 people control around 55% of Kazakhstan’s total wealth, and now some of Kazakhstan’s infamous elite live in London, whilst others own properties here. Transparency International identified £600 million worth belonging to those with links to the Kazakh elite. What can be done to combat this?

MH: I think this is an area where Britain has allowed itself to become the jurisdiction of choice for dirty money. It doesn’t have to be like this. There are actions on four fronts we could take in the UK. First, we need to look at regulation. Since the time of Margaret Thatcher, both Labour and Conservative governments have deregulated the financial services sector too much, so we need to look at our regulatory framework and there are various things that need to be done. So, for example, when people set up a company here but put forward a letter box name for the beneficial owner, we have to reform Companies House so we can check the information and know who the beneficial owner is. We also need to give Companies House the power to interrogate the data and raise red flags. A new register of ownership where properties are owned by foreign entities is another example we’ve got to look at. We’ve also got to look at those who enable financial crime, the accountants, lawyers, advisors, the banks, all of whom collude, and in the worst cases, facilitate and enable financial crime. We have to hold those enablers to account. 

We also need greater transparency throughout the system. One example in the recent sanctions would be that there’s no transparency about who owns trusts. So, Alisher Usmanov has been able to hide assets he holds in the UK in trusts. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, so that needs to be built into the system. We need tougher enforcement, because even where the agencies exist, they’re either starved of resources or there isn’t the political will for them to pursue dirty money in the way they should. The other thing is we’ve got to hold all of this to account for the public through parliament, and there’s got to be much better systems of accountability. If we start doing these things, Britain will become a less attractive place in which to try and launder your illicit, ill-gotten gains. So, there has to be a root and branch reform to start turning the tank around.

OCA: Why did it take so long for the government to proceed with the Economic Crime Bill, and does it go far enough?

MH: This was promised by David Cameron in 2015-16, and my reading of it is that because of the impact Brexit has had on our GDP and the economy the government ran away from tackling the financial services sector, which facilitates a lot of this dirty money. I think they were worried about challenging the financial service sector when they knew the economy was going to be hit by Brexit. I also think there’s a very close relationship with too many of the political class and those in the financial services sector, and you see that throughout the system from political donations to public appointments. Does the legislation go far enough? No, it’s badly drafted, and it only deals with the tip of the iceberg. To take Usmanov as an example again as just passed his assets to his daughters, it doesn’t cover family members or trusts, and it talks about freezing not seizing. This is why the forthcoming Economic Crime Bill will be our opportunity to see whether the government is serious about stamping out dirty money. 

OCA: What can you tell our readers about the Tier-1 Investor or so-called ‘Golden Visa’ scheme which allowed figures such as Madiyar Ablyazov a path to British citizenship? 

MH: That was brought in by the Labour government and the idea was to attract investment into the UK, but I thought it was ill thought through and really badly implemented as neither the Home Office, who were granting these golden visas, nor the banks that were taking the money checked on the individuals and where the money was coming from. Both thought the other was doing it, so nobody did. At its height, 60% of the visas granted were given to either Russians or Chinese. So it became a brilliant route for criminals and kleptocrats to bring their stolen wealth into the legitimate system. There’s a long-promised report analysing who was let in; it’s sitting somewhere in a government office and needs to be published. At that point, they could pick it up through sanctions, but we’re still waiting.

OCA: Is there anything else you’d like to add about how we can stop Kazakh kleptocrats ‘laughing all the way to the bank’ in the UK? For example, we have Unexplained Wealth Orders [UWOs], but the agencies tasked with implementing them are patently underfunded.

MH: They’re not just underfunded, they haven’t got the expertise. One important thing we did in the Economic Crime Bill is cap the amount people who challenged UWOs could claim from the government if the case was lost. I think we need to fund these agencies properly and staff them with the best people, either pay them enough or bring in private expertise to support them. UWOs have only been used four times, two of which have failed, and this was heralded as the big answer to the campaign against dirty money. We need a comprehensive approach to stop what’s happened from Kazakhstan and elsewhere, and it’s not just the former USSR. You can see from the Panama papers how dirty money floats around from regimes all over the world. If we get it right internationally for Russia and Ukraine, we’ll get it right for many, many other places too.

By Stephen M. Bland

Central Asian Economies Face Difficult Times in 2022

Central Asian Economies Face Difficult Times in 2022 

The full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian armed forces and the subsequent series of unprecedented sanctions adopted by Western countries against Russia have led to significant economic consequences not only for the culpable but also for the whole world, especially the former Soviet republics. 

Among these consequences, it is necessary to distinguish between both negative and positive and short-term and long-term impacts. Moreover, the effect does not much depend on whether the country is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) or not (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan). In almost all of these countries, Russia is the leading trading partner and one of the prominent investors. At the end of 2021, the trade turnover with Russia was around 20-30% in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Therefore, the state of the Russian ruble could not but affect the national currencies of these countries.

Table 1. External trade turnover of central Asian countries by the end of 2021

 Kazakhstan KyrgyzstanTajikistanUzbekistan
 bn USD%bn USD%bn USD%bn USD%
Total Turnover101.5 7.2 6.4 42.1 
with Russia 24.224%2.332%1.421%7.518%
with China 18.218%1.521%0.813%7.518%
with Kazakhstan–  1.115%1.218%3.99%
with Turkey 4.14%0.710%0.46%3.48%

Among the short-term implications, it is necessary to highlight the impact on the Central Asian states’ financial and banking spheres. Although significant, far less strong sanctions were adopted against Russia back in 2014 and had already affected the ruble exchange rate – it fell by almost half against the US dollar, which forced the Central Bank of Russia to significantly raise its interest rate, which, in turn, severely limited the access of businesses and citizens to bank loans. As a result, economic growth slowed down considerably, which led to a long stagnation of the Russian economy and caused, along the chain, similar problems in Central Asian countries. For instance, the Kazakh national currency was also in free fall while inflation rose sharply.

This time, immediately after the adoption of the first packages of sanctions, the Russian ruble immediately collapsed, falling from 80 to 120 against the US dollar. But in a short time, the Central Bank managed to stabilize the ruble exchange rate by raising the interest rate to 20% (a bit later, this rate was reduced to 17%) and through restrictions on the conversion and export of foreign currency from the country. The return of the ruble exchange rate to its pre-war status was also facilitated by a radical reduction in imports to Russia due to its disconnection from SWIFT and measures to restrict Western exports to Russia. However, despite the stabilization of Russia’s financial and banking sector, commercial credit has again become unaffordable for businesses and citizens. As a result, GDP is expected to drop by 8.5% this year.

The short-term depreciation of the ruble led to a sharp drop in exchange rates of the national currencies in Central Asia, too, for example, in Kazakhstan – by 22%, Kyrgyzstan – by 24%, Tajikistan – by 15%, and Uzbekistan – by 7%. Likewise, following the stabilization of the Russian ruble, these national currencies restored somewhat, but not completely. 

The exchange rates of the central Asian countries were affected by the fact that these economies are dependent on remittances from labour migrants. Since Russia introduced significant commissions and restrictions on the purchase and export of US dollars, labour migrants have had no choice but to transfer their incomes to their homeland in Russian rubles, which has led to an oversupply of this currency in the local currency markets of these countries.

There is, and will continue to be, longer-term implications caused by the expected recession in Russia. This recession will negatively impact the incomes of labour migrants and the state of Central Asian countries’ foreign trade. For example, in Uzbekistan, remittances from labour migrants reached $7.6 billion in 2021, mainly from Russia, constituting 11.6% of the country’s GDP. In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, this share is even higher – 27.8% and 30.1%, respectively. But now, the World Bank forecasts a decrease in income from migrants this year in Kyrgyzstan – by 33%, Tajikistan – by 22%, and Uzbekistan – by 21%. 

A significant proportion of migrants from the region have been employed in Russia’s massive and, until recently, rapidly developing construction sector. Now that mortgages are becoming too expensive for Russians, production decline in this sector is expected. This means a reduction in both the income of migrants and the demand for labour in this sector. That will entail the outflow of a significant part of migrants back to their homeland, which, in turn, may lead to an increase in social tensions in the countries of the region, especially in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.  

As for foreign trade, there are two essential aspects to keep in mind. First, the fact that a significant share of foreign trade in Central Asia, especially with Europe and Asia, was carried out along the trade and logistics routes passing through the territory of the Russian Federation, primarily through seaports in the Baltic States, the Black Sea, and the Far East. Now that sanctions have been imposed on Russia on the use of European seaports and its sea vessels, the question arises as to how the countries of Central Asia will trade with Europe and Asia. For them, the routes connecting them with China and Iran remain the only ones available for the moment. 

In this regard, Uzbekistan has already intensified negotiations and reached agreements with Pakistan and Afghanistan on opening a rail-road and track trade routes that would allow for cargo transportation between Central Asia and the southern seaports of Pakistan, Karachi, and Bin Qasim. As a result of these negotiations, the first cargo from India was sent and received by Uzbekistan in March this year. However, the development of this trade route will take a long time before it becomes a full-fledged alternative to the northern ones that have developed over the past century and a half.  

In the same context, we should view the revived negotiations between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China on constructing a railway route through the territory of these three countries. Again, this route will not begin to operate soon. Finally, in view of the territory of Russia having turned into a logistical impasse, even China was forced to promote the project of a bypass combined railway and sea route through the territory of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, then Romania and other European countries, crossing the Caspian and Black Seas, with a total length of 11 thousand km. On April 13, the first cargo from China was sent along this route.

Another aspect of the impact of the war and sanctions on trade activities of the Central Asian states has to do with the region’s bilateral trade with Russia. In March, Russia imposed a ban on grain exports from the country, followed by a similar decision by Kazakhstan, which itself had previously imported Russian wheat, but in turn, provided 90% of the needs of its southern neighbours. As a result, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan now face the threat of a shortage of flour for domestic consumption. 

Besides, it is no longer clear how both sides will settle payments with each other, given that settlements in dollars will be inaccessible for the Russian side. The parties will have to conduct settlements in rubles and local currency, which will complicate the process technically and in terms of pricing.

In addition to the negative consequences for the economies of the Central Asian countries, there are also some emerging opportunities for them, especially in terms of increasing exports to Russia of certain types of products, primarily agricultural ones. However, there are no signals that these new opportunities are being realised. And it is not yet clear whether the growth of exports from the Central Asian countries to the Russian Federation will be able to thoroughly neutralise the impact of sanctions.

Alisher Ilkhamov 

Central Asia Due Diligence

NEW UZBEKISTAN SEEKS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

NEW UZBEKISTAN SEEKS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS    

On May 20, 2022 the Constitutional Commission was established to develop proposals for constitutional amendments as part of a “New Uzbekistan” image refit.

This Constitutional Commission is comprised of deputies and senators from all regions, representatives from various social strata, civil society institutions, leading lawyers, political scientists, and other experts (47 people in total).

Uzbekistan has a long history of implementing constitutional reforms. 32 amendments and additions to 21 articles of the Constitution were made 7 times as part of the implementation of the tasks of the Action Strategy in five priority areas between 2017–2021.

They concerned, in particular, the activities of the parliament, government and the President, strengthening the independence and development of the judiciary, the system of checks and balances between the branches of government, the democratisation of the electoral system and the Mahalla.

During the presidential elections of Uzbekistan in October 2021 an important proposal was put forward to transform Uzbekistan’s democracy – the implementation of constitutional reform.

The first proposal to consider constitutional amendments and additions was made by voters  during  a  meeting  with  UzLiDeP presidential  candidate  Shavkat  Mirziyoyev  in  the  Karakalpakstan district of Bozatau. The priority directions of constitutional reforms were outlined in President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s fundamental book, “New Uzbekistan Development Strategy,” raising democratic reforms to a fundamentally different level.

Several areas of constitutional reform were identified as priorities: (1) the change of the paradigm “state – society – person” to a new one: “person – society – state”; (2) the provision of human interests in the process of economic reforms; (3) constitutional consolidation of the role and status of civil society institutions with the principle “Society is the initiator of reforms”; (4) the definition of the constitutional foundations for the development of the institution of the family and traditional human values; (5) a state youth policy with comprehensive support for youth; (6) reforming the principle that “New Uzbekistan is a social state” with a just society; (7) improving human rights including preventing child labor and protecting those with disabilities or from the older generation; (8) new environmental provisions linked to global climate change; and (9) the development of kindergartens, schools, higher education and science, which are interrelated components of the basis of the “Third Renaissance”.

As such, the Uzbek Parliament determined that the Constitutional Commission should be responsible for developing suitable proposals and draft laws and engaging experts to interpret statistical data and documents from among various state bodies and organisations. The commission will also monitor violations of the new constitutional rights and engage the relevant departments.

The Constitutional Commission is expect to follow a number of important principles including those of transparency and accountability. In performing this role  the Press Service of the Constitutional Commission will provide in simple and understandable language the needs, priorities and main directions of constitutional reforms. Additionally, collegiality will be practiced – all members of the  Constitutional  Commission  have  a  single  vote  and  equal decision-making rights. Finally, the President’s idea that “the people are the creators of the law” is to be implemented through widespread participation of civil society institutions, academic, research, and analytical centres in the Constitutional Commission’s activities.

To date the Commission has received more than 45 thousand proposals from citizens, organizations, educational and academic societies. The most important issues raised regard: human rights issues; activity of high state bodies (government, parliament, judiciary); local authority; ecological issues; social welfare; civil society institutions (mass media, public control); gender issues; international relations; cultural heritage.

President Mirziyoyev at the meeting with the members of the Commission on June 20 proposed the adoption of amendments through a referendum to take into account the opinion of the population and its initiatives as much as possible. The President also emphasised the priority of reflecting in new Constitution additional guarantees for ensuring interests, freedoms and dignity of people as well as securing the principles of a social state – the idea of “Uzbekistan is a social state”.

In conclusion, the constitutional reforms will undoubtedly serve to implement the tasks of further improving the well-being of the population and the prosperity of the country, strengthening its economic power and competitiveness in the world.

Prof. Akmal Saidov,

Chairman of the Commission 

for Constitutional Reforms in Uzbekistan,

First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of 

the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan,

Director of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan 

for Human Rights 

Raisa Gorbacheva – Remembering the First Lady of the USSR

Raisa Gorbacheva – Remembering the First Lady of the USSR

By Stephen M. Bland

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of Raisa Gorbacheva. The wife of Mikhail Gorbachev, Raisa was a brilliant sociologist in her own right, and as the first visible First Lady of the Soviet Union, became a sensation in the West, where her candour, forcefulness and glamorous appearance made her an important asset in her husband’s efforts to win over hearts and minds abroad. At home, however, where there was no tradition of a ‘First Lady’ and the wives of top officials were rarely seen and never heard, she was the subject of much criticism, both personal and because of her husband’s attempts to reform the USSR.

Born in the village of Rubtsovsk in western Siberia, Raisa’s father was a railway worker from Ukraine, whilst her mother was a peasant. Illiterate until her 20s, her father had been executed in a gulag. Despite these humble beginnings, however, she was an outstanding student and graduated from secondary school with a gold medal, affording her entry to study philosophy at Moscow State University, where she caught the eye of a young Mikhail Gorbachev. With his attempts to woo her rebuffed, Gorbachev would have to persevere for two years before they were married in 1953. Their only child, Irina, was born four years later, by which time Raisa had followed her husband to his home region of Stavropol, where she taught at the Agricultural Institute whilst defending her thesis on The Development of New Features in the Life of the Peasantry in Collective Farms.

When the couple returned to the capital in 1978, Raisa taught at the Moscow State University for seven years whilst her husband continued his ascent into the halls of power, before stepping down to become an unpaid member of his staff in 1985. Unlike the wives of previous Soviet leaders, such as Brezhnev’s wife, Victoria, who stayed at home and made jam, and Andropov’s second wife, Tatiana, whom no one knew existed until she appeared at his state funeral in 1984, Raisa was not one to eschew the limelight. She found the petty politics and gossip of the tea-drinking circles of Kremlin wives stiflingly dull, preferring to accompany her husband when he travelled, both within the Soviet Union and abroad.

Mikhail and Raisa were a partnership, and although it wasn’t officially acknowledged, she served as one of his closest advisors, an arrangement previously unheard of within the Soviet Union. As Mikhail wrote of his wife in his memoirs, ‘We were bound first by our marriage, but also by our common views of life… We both preached the principle of equality.’ These sentiments were echoed by Raisa in her own memoir, I Hope, and in interviews where she stated she was ‘very lucky with Mikhail. We are really friends, or, if you prefer, we have great complicity.’

A darling of the press in the West for providing a splash of colour amidst the grey suits, Raisa was photographed visiting hospitals, schools and children’s homes, and taking tea with the wives of other world leaders. Her long-running spat with Nancy Reagan – whom she often outshone – also served as an amusing sideshow. After visiting the White House, she famously commented that ‘humanly speaking, a human being would like to live in a regular house. This is like a museum.’ Her shopping trips to London, Paris and New York were the stuff of legend, as was her vast and dazzling wardrobe.

Unsurprisingly, such a public persona didn’t always play as well to the public back at home, where despite the sexual revolution 70 years earlier, the conservative politics of a rigid patriarchy reigned supreme. Raisa was often portrayed as egotistical and ostentatious for such faux pas as visiting the victims of the Armenian earthquake of 1987 draped in fox furs. A celebrity in her own right, often subject to, in her own words, ‘invention, myths and even slander,’ in the same year she appeared on the cover of Pravda, a place where women were hardly ever featured. There was also an element of jealousy to the dislike of her, as her chauffeur-driven car and lavish designer wardrobe were obviously not available to ordinary Soviet citizens. 

Over time, however, Raisa found her niche at home in promoting the welfare of sick children and women’s issues. She began to change minds though such acts as ensuring the victims of the Chernobyl disaster were taken care of, sponsoring a major paediatric hospital, and donating US$100,000 to the blood cancer charity, the International Association of Haematologists of the World for Children.

On the final day of the coup attempt by hardliners in 1991, Raisa suffered a stroke which left her left arm paralysed. According to her husband, she never fully recovered. After stepping out of the spotlight, she died of leukaemia on September 20th 1999 in the Munster University Hospital at the age of 67. Shortly before her passing, Raisa said that ‘I had to get sick with such a fatal illness and die to make people understand me.’ Upon learning of her death, U.S. President Clinton said that ‘The example she set, through her help for child victims of leukaemia and through her own courageous struggle against this terrible disease, was an inspiration to people everywhere.’  Raisa was interred in the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow, with thousands coming to say their farewells. In 2006, her family founded the Raisa Gorbacheva Foundation, which raises money to support those with childhood cancer.

Tirana: European Capital of Youth 2022 aims to empower the future of Albania

Tirana: European Capital of Youth 2022 aims to empower the future of Albania.

The European Youth Capital is awarded by the European Youth Forum, which aims to empower young people, boost their participation and strengthen European identity. 

To find out more about Albania’s role as host of European Capital 2022, and how to inspire the next generation of leaders while retaining a strong cultural heritage, we interviewed H.E. Donika Hoxha – Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova.

Dr. Donika Hoxha has been the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Republic of Bulgaria since October 2018 and the Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova since October 2019, although she began her professional career in 1998 at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Republic of Albania.

  1. What motivates you to represent your country abroad and what is the message you want to spread through your work?

Being a diplomat and representing your own country is not merely a profession. You have to love your country, what it has been at different times in its history, and begin your duty by knowing what best serves its interests and then seek to achieve an outcome as close to those requirements as possible. For this, you need to invest time, energy and effort in your own professional development. 

  1. One of the aims of the European Capital of Youth is to empower the next generation/leaders – how do you do that?

The most important qualities of a good leader have always been strategic and critical thinking, innovation and action. As we move farther into 2022, after being faced with the biggest challenge of the century, the COVID pandemic, I believe that the best leaders continue to be those who inspire, motivate and empower their team. I would like to quote Steve Jobs “Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could.”

To be an effective leader you’ll also need to be a good listener and communicator. Among the skills we need to improve are transparency and good communication, to ensure that everyone has the right information no matter where they work and to get motivated to be engaged. Accountability is yet another important matter which factors into success. Leaders must hold themselves accountable to do the necessary work to fulfil their promises.

A good leader needs to have the resilience to push himself/herself over, through, around, and sometimes under obstacles. True motivation only appears by overcoming difficulties.

To go back to Tirana as European Youth Capital 2022, I can say that it has become already not only a space for the young boys and girls of Tirana, but a space for all the boys and girls of the region. Tirana has become an open house offering opportunities to all who present an innovative idea, encouraging new initiatives. We are dedicating a whole year to communicating, encouraging, financing and dedicating youth projects like never before in the last 31 years, with the final goal to nurture and create new leaders for the future of our country. 

  1. How do new leaders rise and how we could support and develop new leaders among the young generation?

Most leaders throughout history have emerged out of the needs of the situation, arising from the dynamics and processes that unfold within and among a group of individuals as they endeavor to achieve a collective goal. As different situations call for different configurations of knowledge, skills, and abilities, the group turns to the members who mostly display drive, self-confidence, knowledge of the situation, honesty, and integrity. It is not difficult to spot them as they are able to exert considerable influence and provide direction while driven by a vision embraced by the entire group.

Talented up-and-coming new leaders among the young generation need challenging assignments that stretch them to new heights. We need to believe in them, encourage and support their aspirations. We need to produce more leaders rather than more followers, which is fundamental to long term success. To do that we need to support leadership development initiatives among the youngest generation, empowering them to make decisions that support the goals and vision of the community, encouraging them to change and make changes. I would like to quote the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj saying: “if you can change yourself, you can change a class; if you change a class, you can change a school; if you change a school, you can change a city; if you change a city, you can change a country, and if you change a country, you can build change in a region like the Balkans, and if you change a region, you can change Europe and the world. This is our appeal. This is our challenge”.

  1. Is that why Tirana becoming the European Youth Capital is so important?

We need to create the conditions for our young people not to flee our countries and develop their talents. This would give long-term competitive advantages to our countries, especially considering our current situation of brain drain. Leaders exist at all levels. We have to identify the ones who can step in and fill critical roles when necessary. This should be our mission. As I said above, we must be held accountable for developing other leaders.

We need to cultivate young people’s interest and nurture their curiosity. More efforts and concrete actions are needed to integrate local knowledge in formal education curricula. However, that is not enough if the they are not encouraged to go out and experience.

And the programme of Tirana as European Youth Capital for 2022 is completely focused on youth and their assets and untapped potential to shine. The 8 programs of Tirana as European Youth Capital for 2022 are:

  • Youth Makes Creative Economy and Innovation – the purpose is to support the transformation of young people’s creativity into culture and innovation based mainly on the use of technology, but not only. It will enable young people to establish an authentic approach, giving them the opportunity to express a new development model based on innovation and the importance of entrepreneurship;
  • Youth Creates Culture – aims to encourage young people to explore the ways in which culture and art can be put to the benefit of their daily lives, turning it into a powerful tool for positive long-term change;
  • Youth Develops Capacity – aims to help young people on their journey to personal achievement through capacity building through combining a range of creatively designed activities, addressing the skills needed for different walks of life, where young people will not only be trained but will be active protagonists in capacity building activities. Aims to support young people in developing their technical and soft skills, emotional intelligence and personality;
  • Youth Participates – purpose is to increase the perception and confidence of young people in their potential as agents of change, encouraging their higher involvement in decision-making processes, at the central and local levels. The programme focuses on the promotion of project ideas related to youth participation in local government through activities that strengthen the development of volunteerism and activism, organizing debates and advocacy groups, as well as capacity building sessions with a focus on amplifying youth voices, etc;
  • Youth Diversity – the purpose is not only to educate young people in having a more positive outlook on a society with diverse characteristics, but to turn them into the main promoters of multiculturalism and tolerance. By encouraging the younger generation to be barrier-free, free from prejudice, and fostering a climate where equality and mutual respect are vital, we aim to create a cooperative and benevolent community whose intellectual strength stems from synergy of the diversity of the people who make it up. The programme aims to raise the multicultural awareness of youth through a series of diverse and comprehensive project ideas. Young people from different communities will have the opportunity to represent the voice of diverse groups and backgrounds in promoting mutual understanding for a more peaceful and prosperous Albanian society within the European Union;
  • Youth are Europeans – Albanian youth, which makes up half of the country’s population, is the most pro-European segment of our society. However, despite pro-European sentiments, the phenomenon of young people leaving the country and ‘brain drain’ has become a real concern for the country’s future. More than ever it is important to bring Europe to young people and help them understand that they are already part of it. Albanian youth should be made aware that Europe is at home. Tirana, being the capital of Albania and the city with the largest number of young people nationally, is a driving force for the whole country and as such has a key role in empowering its youth towards better strategies and policymaking. These are the reasons why the focus of our programme is to encourage a sense of belonging in the EU family by implementing diverse project ideas and activities such as the ‘European Parliament Model’, exchange activities with colleagues and peers from Europe and the Western Balkans, as well as cultural and artistic projects promoting the European values. The purpose of these activities is to raise awareness of the common European identity by promoting democratic values and the importance of working together for the future of the European family;
  • Youth and Eco-Health – promotes a healthy lifestyle among young people and aims to raise their awareness of the essential importance of a healthy ecosystem for all beings and organisms found in nature. Humans are an important part of this ecosystem, but at the same time its greatest danger;
  • Youth Spaces – aims to promote the implementation of project ideas that provide additional physical space and youth-friendly infrastructures to young people in the city, which are autonomous, open, safe and accessible to all. Some of these spaces aim to provide professional support for the development and provision of opportunities for youth participation in decision-making and urban life. The ultimate goal of the programme is for young people to become co-designers of Tirana’s urban spaces as well as to enable them to identify the ways through which their community can shape these spaces to offer better social and cultural engagement.
  1. Can you give some examples of the Cultural heritage that is Specific to Albania?

In terms of art, I would single out iconography. In Albania, it is well known especially in Berat and Korҫa, where are located the National Iconographic Museum “Onufri” and the National Museum of Mediaeval Art. Many of Onufri’s icons, dating back to the end of the European Renaissance, have managed to survive. You can also find Onufri’s works in the National Historical Museum of Tirana, specifically in the pavilion dedicated to post-Byzantine iconography.

The Albanian wealth of traditions is the principal motivation for travel to the country, with more and more tourists seeking to find out about this hidden gem in the Mediterranean, its culture and to experience its peculiarity of performing arts, handcrafts, rituals and cuisines. In the basket of Albanian intangible heritage stands proud Albanian folk iso-polyphony. Otherworldly, complex and trance-inducing sounds manifested by the power of the human voice, carrying the emotional weight of centuries of pride, poverty and oppression; polyphonic vocal music is a living tradition in Albania and in 2005 was proclaimed a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This centuries-old traditional folk performance, somewhere between singing and recitation, between lament and celebration, joins multiple voices into a unique synthesis and has spanned time and space to inspire anyone from 18th century poet Lord Byron to contemporary Albanian author Ismail Kadare, among many others.

Thus, safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, is a valuable source of the economy. The intangible elements of heritage are of greater significance in facilitating emotional and sentimental attachment to a nation. They contribute to national identity and their scientific and cultural value makes the country recognizable and improves its image. 

  1. What can be done in order young people to be involved and engaged with ICH, to safeguard and use these values?

There is a risk that certain elements of intangible cultural heritage could die out or disappear without help, but how can we safeguard and manage a heritage that is constantly changing and part of ‘living culture’ without freezing or trivializing it? Safeguarding them is about the transferring of knowledge, skills and meaning. Hence, first and foremost, a good knowledge by the young generation of the values of culture as a symbol of the identity of a country is significantly needed. Unfortunately, there is still a quite distant relationship between the young generation and art history and education and one of the main challenges in safeguarding intangible heritage is the loss of interest and enthusiasm to practice by the young generation.

When transmitted from generation to generation, intangible heritage is continuously created and recreated. It is exactly recreation that we have to encourage. A substantial engagement of young professionals in spreading the importance of active participation of local communities to protect and safeguard the cultural activities needs to be encouraged. On the other hand, governments, international organizations and NGOs have an important role in supporting projects and initiatives to this end and of course, Tirana being the European Youth Capital 2022 will assist this!

https://tiranaeyc2022.al/en/calendar/?external=1The website for information and calendar of events for European Youth Capital 2022

Many thanks

Notes 

Add in a program of events for European Youth Capital 2022

Intersperse with photos of cultural activity and sights

Photo of Dr Dr Donika Hoxha at beginning 

LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU!

LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU!

INTERVIEW: TATIANA ZHUKOVA

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Tatiana Zhukova: I am Ukrainian, born and raised in Odessa. For the last 10 years I have been working in the field of personnel management. 

Since 2021, I am a PhD student in Odessa State Economical University, engaged in

scientific activities. Currently, in connection with the war in Ukraine, I am conducting

research in the field of personnel management in war conditions: Ukrainians working

remotely, hiding in basements from explosions, or moving to a new place, continue to perform business tasks. I am looking for international partners, universities or research foundations, who are interested in this topic, to conduct further joint research and find solutions to help people.

I dreamed of being a writer since my school days.

One day, I decided to experiment, not imagining what result it would bring. For 90 days, I wrote down gratitude:

 – for happiness and pleasant moments of today,

 – gratitude to God and to myself.

After 2 weeks of this practice, I noticed how many creative thoughts were in my head and I had an approximate plot for my first book.

After 4 weeks, I already had a clear understanding of what the plot would be and the confidence that I would write.

After 7 months, a book was born, which is called “The Power of Gratitude. The struggle between good and evil.”

And after some time, the second book “The History of Neon” appeared.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life? 

TZ: My path is a mix of goals, achievements, trial and error, perseverance and constant work on myself. I admire people who know how to enjoy life, especially in difficult moments of life. Who knows how to make decisions quickly, be supportive and a true friend. First of all, I talk about my mother, knowing her life path, for me she is a symbol of fortitude and deepest wisdom.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

TZ: In 2021, I had the honor to participate in the X International Literary Contest Open Eurasia, and I was among the winners in the prose category. 

In 2022, life presents me with a new challenge – the war in Ukraine. Everything that we have been creating for years is disappearing before our eyes. I never thought that the war will be in my life. You know, when you watch on TV or read about military events in a foreign country, of course, it’s scary. But these are incommensurable emotions when all this happens in your life: checkpoints throughout the city and on all roads of the country, air raid sirens several times a day, rocket attacks on residential areas, curfews and other horrors of war.

My 2022 achievement is yet to come. I know for sure that I will overcome the challenge of war and in the future, I will definitely share my story with you.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

TZ: Love for God. Everything I do, I pass through the love of God. And the older I get, the more I realize how balanced the laws of nature work and how natural everything is.

At present, life is testing me, however, I believe in God and believe in people, and I know that everything will be fine.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

TZ: I am immensely happy to meet the organizers of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). Exactly one year ago, in the spring of 2021, I purposefully searched for international literary competitions in order to submit my book The History of Neon for professional jury evaluation and found the Open Eurasia competition.

The message that the book “The History of Neon” carries is spelled out with wisdom and deep meaning. And my victory (3rd place in the prose category) is a testament to the fact that such literature is valuable and this is inspiring.

Now I am giving an interview for your magazine as one of the winners of the contest. This is a small step towards popularizing myself as an author and my work.

My country is at war, I don’t know what my life will be like next. I believe that the sun will shine again on my way, I believe in kind people, and I know for sure that involvement with the ECG Creative Guild (London) will help me overcome this thorny path.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?

TZ: For me, the motivation is my son, who is 15 years old, to give him the opportunity to study and live in a peaceful country.

My goal is to develop my creativity further, write new books, continue my scientific activity (I plan to transfer to a university in the UK, I don’t know yet how much this is possible). Find a new home, build my life and continue to contribute to the world.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?

TZ: State yourself. Someone hesitates or is afraid that he will be judged and not appreciated. Believe in yourself, in your creativity, in God. If your creativity is useful to the world, you should share it. Let other people know about you!

EVERY NEW DAY IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY

EVERY NEW DAY IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY

INTERVIEW: SURIYA YESSENTAYEVA

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Suriya Yessentayeva: I am 57 years old with 3 daughters and 2 granddaughters who I love very much. I am also an oncologist, a chemotherapist. I have been working in this field for more than 30 years: 25 years in the Kazakh Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology (Almaty), since 2015 I have been the head of the Department of Oncology at the Kazakh-Russian Medical University. 

Since 2013 I lead the non-governmental organisation “Scientific-Medical Society”, in which along with educational and scientific I began to develop a creative direction, Art-therapy for children with cancer, hereditary and other severe diseases. For us Art Therapy began quite traditionally: through the desire to help children who are seriously ill. The simplest thing to start with was drawing. Master-classes with the participation of famous Kazakh artists in the departments of children’s oncology and haematology, the organization of exhibitions of children’s work – it was great, beautiful, but not enough. I wanted more involvement of children in creativity, more long stay in it, that the result of therapy would be obvious. 

The theatre, participation in the production of a play – this was a real boon in therapy for kids who have gone through a difficult path of treatment for cancer and even for those who were still going through this path. Since 2017, we have staged 4 productions in which all the roles were performed by children with different cancer and haematological diseases, some of them have overcome these diseases, some of them are on supportive therapy. All of the children’s works were exhibited in the theatre lobby during the performances. 

During the pandemic, 5 videos were created with the participation of children. Since 2021 our studio in cooperation with Artishok Theatre has been working on the creation of a new play.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life? 

SY: After graduating from high school with a mathematical bias, I planned to go to university to study applied mathematics. My dad convinced me that being a doctor was cooler: “A doctor in Africa and on a submarine is a doctor. If you marry a border guard, what will you do with your maths?” After graduating from medical school I didn’t even think about oncology, within a year I worked as a therapist in one of the districts of Almaty region, it took me about 3 hours to get to work and back. By chance I got to know that there was a vacancy at the institute of oncology (which can be reached within 15-20 minutes) and I agreed without thinking. I do not regret it. I think my teacher in oncology was professor Nino Apollonovna Chichua, MD. She was amazing, beautiful, demanding and kind. She taught me not only to be a chemotherapist, she taught me to write articles, to plan, organise and participate in scientific projects and many other things related to medical activity. Nino Apollonovna is a Georgian who grew up in Georgia and stayed in Almaty after graduating from medical school..

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

SY: For me the biggest achievement of 2021-2022 is that the pupils of our Art Therapy studio, these are kids who have managed not only to overcome cancer once, but most of them continue to face serious illnesses every day, took part in the international children’s and youth theatre festival-contest TTT “Theatre-Creativity-Talent”, which was held April 4-7, 2022 in Nur-Sultan, and won the second place in the “Performance” category. 

Another important stage for me in 2022 was the start of a new project “Creativity is contagious. Pass it on to someone else”, a kind of report on the activities of the Art Therapy Studio for five years.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

SY: For our organisation, the Scientific Medical Society, joining the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) was a very important milestone. It opened up opportunities to present our achievements and works at the international level. Videos with the children of the Art Therapy Studio, which were created by us during the pandemic, when no theatre was working, were presented at the Eurasian Film Festival in 2021. The video “Lighthouse” was shortlisted as a finalist in the music video category at the 3rd ECG Film Festival. In addition, a story by Amangeldin Amani, a participant in the Let’s Paint a Fairy Tale writing contest that we have been holding since 2017, “Your Future Depends on You,” was included in the short story collection “The Thread.” And we also took part in the Tashkent Guild Festival.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?

SY: I met cancer patients every day for 32 years, I realised that every day is a gift that must be appreciated. For me it is important that the patient and his family believe that they are not left alone with the disease, that there is always an opportunity, if not to relieve the patient from pain, then to help him and his loved ones to cope with despair, to believe that LIFE IS CONTINUING. 

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?

SY: Don’t stop, every new day is a new opportunity, a new step in your creativity. Creating beautiful things is a gift that is not given to everyone. Believe in yourself and trust in those who believe in you.

LIVE AND LEARN

LIVE AND LEARN

INTERVIEW: BARSHAGUL TLEPINA

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Barshagul Tlepina: My name is Barshagul Tlepina, I am 46 years old, I was born in the Aktobe region, live and work in Almaty. My first education is medical. I successfully realised myself in medicine, currently working as a cosmetologist. The second is technical, where, thanks to my technical experience, I received the title of expert auditor in the field of technical regulation and Metrology. My life motto is: “Live and learn”

Since childhood, I was fond of reading, writing poetry, and publishing it in newspapers. Love for creativity inspires me to perceive creation. For me, creativity is a manifestation of myself, my inner world, worldview, character, an integral part of the soul. I would say that creativity is the realisation of one’s talents. Each person is endowed with certain talents, and when he shows his talents, he creates.

Therefore, creativity is the result of human activity.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life? 

BT: On the way to creativity, I was lucky to work with the famous popular singer of the “neoclassical” genre (synthesis of opera and variety) “Golden Voice of Eurasia” Yerzhan Nurgaliyev, who currently lives and works in Moscow. Our joint project was implemented for special children “Revival of Love” “From Heart to Heart” also songs in a new format with interesting arrangements. One of my works is an author’s song dedicated to the memory of the great figure skater Denis Ten, the words were written by me, the music was written by the talented composer Shyryn Bazarkulova.

I express my deep gratitude to the creative mentor, who encouraged me to continue my literary activity and is a source of inspiration for all my work.

….Poetry is the voice of the soul, described by the intellect of the heart.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022? 

BT: The main achievement of 2021-2022 is the publication of my work “Age of Love” in the “Voices of Friends” Poetry Almanack dedicated to the 250th anniversary of Walter Scott, together with wonderful poets from all over the world, many thanks to the publishing house “HERTFORDSHIRE PRESS”

The brightest and most impressive for me and my son Amankeldiev Akimzhan was participation in the “Voices of Friends” festival. The emotions received during the festival gave me a new charge to create

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique? 

BT: Every person is unique. Creativity plays a huge role in human life, the possibility of a great desire to live, to be happy. 

Creativity occupies a special place in the life of every person, since its manifestation is multifaceted. Creativity is unique because it is not repeatable, not copied, it is individual. This state is the highest gift for every creative person. Currently, I have written more than 200 pages in the “Poetry” genre and I thank the Universe for the opportunity to realise my dream 

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work? 

BT: I’m very grateful to the founder of the Eurasian Creative Guild, Akhmedjanov Marat Ismailovich, for the fact that my son and I were lucky to be members of the Guild. In December 2019, on the birthday of Akimzhan, together with the famous singer Yerzhan Nurgaliyev, we gave a charity concert “From Heart to Heart” for special children, at the Kazakhconcert Central Concert Hall with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. After the concert, I really wanted to realise my creative abilities at the international level, so I was lucky to meet the Guild!

In 2021, we became the participants of the grandiose event of the Eurasian Creative Guild in Borovoye at the Rixos Hotel – Opening of the creative workshop in the picturesque place of Shchuchinsk. The atmosphere and natural landscapes filled us with the most unforgettable emotions, and gave us magnificent bright moments.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity? 

BT: Creativity brings pleasure and joy. Being creative means thinking differently, acting differently, listening to yourself. Creativity helps me to get involved in the world around me, appreciate its beauty, and also appreciate other people. It also helps me discover more and more interesting and amazing things around us.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?

BT:  A creative person is a whole world of brilliant ideas, a world of something beautiful and amazing. I wish the members of the Eurasian Creative Guild a creative flight, inspiration, joy, and music. Beautiful and sincere creative success, let each member of the Guild become a ray of inspiration for the creator of masterpieces or even simple but amazing trifles of art.

INTERVIEW: ELENA TITENKO

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Elena Titenko: My name is Elena Titenko, I was born in the South of Russia in a family of Kuban Cossacks. I spent all my childhood and youth in a small village on the Black Sea coast. There you can look at the moonlit path and the starry sky endlessly, filled with peace and happiness.

My creative activity began at the Textile Academy. I learned how to turn a two-dimensional drawing into clothes in three-dimensional space. I participated in the competition of young designers “Russian Silhouette” with the “Mermaid” collection. Flowing fabric, and on top is a fishing net made of silver threads with shells woven into it, made by me by hand.

I loved to draw clothes and faces, then I became interested in oil painting. 

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?

ET: My path was chosen by my heart and a great desire to master oil painting. I took lessons from a talented artist and teacher Igor Sakharov. I like the paintings and technique of Claude Monet. I love to travel and study the architecture of different cities. The Gothic quarter of Barcelona and the masterpieces of the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi, the ancient castles of Spain and Montreux in Switzerland, Monaco, Venice, Thailand with Buddhist temples. All this inspires and leadeth me to creativity. 

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

ET: In May 2021, I took part in the exhibition for the holiday of ancient Slavic writing in Bulgaria, the city of Varna, Historical Park. I’ve learned the Slavic initial letter and amulets.

And there was also an exhibition in St. Petersburg dedicated to cosmos, where I showed a collection of paintings “Constellations of the Starry Sky”. 

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

ET: In my paintings, I combine the reality of this world and my fantasy. I mix different techniques and create new ones. At the beginning of the journey, I never know what the result will be, because I follow my feelings. Sometimes I conceive an image, take liquid acrylic and pour it onto a canvas, and when I see the result, I am convinced that we create everything around with our thoughts, ideas and desires. My paintings have depth, change depending on the lighting, they cannot be repeated, and this is the main uniqueness and value. 

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

ET: I participated in the “Illustration” category in the “Open Eurasia” contest and I want to visit one of the festivals of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). In July 2021, for the first time, I came to a meeting of the Guild, met unique talented people full of bright creative energy, who radiated joy and inspiration. There I found many new friends who are united by creativity. Many thanks to Marat for his activities and the opportunities that he creates for all of us. 

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?

ET: The search for true love is the strongest motivation. My goal is to do what gives me pleasure, fills me with energy and brings aesthetic joy to people. My dream is to paint as many snow-white canvases as possible and plant an olive orchard. 

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career? 

ET: I wish the members of the guild and all creative people to keep the fire in their souls, keep dreaming, fantasise and create new masterpieces for this World. 

“POETRY IS MY UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE”

“POETRY IS MY UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE”

INTERVIEW: MARINA SHKROBOVA-VERNALIS

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Marina Shkrobova-Vernalis: My name is Marina Shkrobova-Vernalis. I`m a poet, artist, actress, by first education-teacher, candidate of pedagogical sciences, holder of the gold badge “Knight of Humane Pedagogy”, by second education – diplomat, graduate of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Author of the international creative project “Marina Vernalis`s Poetry Salon” and the mistress of the Poetry Salon. Member of the Russian Writers’ Union, author of five poetry books and three audiobooks.  From 2022 an Ambassador of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). 

Marina VERNALIS is my stage name that combines the power of four female names: Faith, Hope, Love and Sophia (Wisdom) conveys the depth of those values that I bring to my audience.  “MARINA VERNALIS`S POETRY SALON” is the author’s musical and poetic compositions, that allow a Man to realize his spiritual height, to seek the grace of the soul through the perception of the Beautiful!

8 years ago  painting became the second wing of my Creativity!

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?

MV: Pedagogy and my students led me to my creative path. When I started work as a school teacher, I was looking for a universal language of communication that was understandable to everyone and went from the heart – to the heart!  The language of poetry became that for me! I began to speak to children in verse, and their ears grew accustomed to the vibrations of high Poetry, even though it was often poetry not for their age – for growing up! M. Tsvetaeva said: “Children won’t understand? Children understand too much!” I was convinced of this more than once.

My guides to the world of Poetry were the Silver Age poets I “discovered” myself: Anna Akhmatova, Marina Tsvetaeva, Boris Pasternak, Nikolai Gumilev, Igor Severyanin, Alexander Blok. In their works to this day I find high examples of the pattern of joining sounds, rhythms and meanings. 

For me Poetry and Pedagogy exist together as forms of Art that bear people’s values and a high order of the Soul!  I consider Shalva Amonashvili, the world famous Pedagogue, Academic, the author of Humane Pedagogy, as my Teacher in Life. His philosophy of Love and care for the child and each other feeds my philosophical Poetry and allows me to express in verse what my soul and the souls of many people in the world seek. 

The example of creative firmness, dedication and tireless work for me is the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. In difficult moments I turn to the strength of her soul and re-watch my favorite film by Emil Lautyanu “Anna Pavlova”.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

MV: My main achievements in the recent period are related to poetry and painting:

-I became a member of the International Academy of Russian Philology and received from the Academy the Diploma “Honoured Art Worker of Russia”;

-I received I.A. Bunin Medal from the Union of Writers of Russia;

– Silver Medal of the International Academy of Contemporary Arts for the creative project “Marina Vernalis’s Poetry Salon”; 

-Received a 2nd degree diploma laureate of the X International Festival “Open Eurasia” in the category “Illustration”;

– Became an Ambassador of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London).

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

MV: Sincerity, filled with the energy of Love and Harmony, my style combines: rhythm and lace of words in poems, colours and strokes in painting. Creative wisdom and Light, giving the mood for high vibrations and Beauty!

Also, my Voice! I’ve been “raising” it all my life, even though I know that God “put” this gift in my cradle at birth. My voice can bring the deepest meanings straight to the heart of my audience!

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

MV: In December 2021 I took part in the Jubilee X International Festival “Open Eurasia” and received a laureate diploma (2nd place) in the category “Illustration”.  This is the first international award for my art and it gives me an incredible support and desire to create new masterpieces, to reveal my uniqueness! Now I dream to perform my poetry concerts with my new friends: in Kirgizia, Kazakhstan, Italy, England and many other countries! 

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?

MV: Motivation for me is the desire to feel myself as a “soul” (more than a body), to “cut the precious stone of my soul”, turning it into a diamond, to refine my sense of the Beautiful, to inspire people by my creativity!

I consider the goal of my life is to discover my uniqueness, my divine essence and to find my own human face.   I want the voice of my Poetry to be heard by as many people in the world as possible. 

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career? 

MV:  Don’t wait for all conditions and circumstances to be favourable, take small steps that reveal your unique talent!

Appreciate each of your successes and in this state of Joy, dare to dream and imagine your new Height to take a new step! 

Photo: Tatyana Molotova

MY WHOLE FAMILY ARE CREATIVE PEOPLE

MY WHOLE FAMILY ARE CREATIVE PEOPLE

INTERVIEW: ANASTASIA SHEVCHENKO

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Anastasia Shevchenko: I was born and grew up in a small closed city of Novouralsk. My whole family are creative people, so at an early age I realized that my life would be connected with art. At the age of two, looking at my dad, an artist, I began to draw. I studied at a school with an artistic and aesthetic bias, so I realized my creative potential there. The first years I focused on drawing, but I did it because at that time I still did not understand how to express my inner feelings differently. At the age of 11, I realized that I liked writing prose the most, although at that time I still did not take it seriously and did not think about it as my future. Now I know that being a writer is not just a hobby, but a lifestyle, a dream and a goal that I really want to go to, guided by the principle of “not a day without a line.”

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life? 

AS: After graduation, I entered the Chelyabinsk State Institute of Culture, by a lucky chance, I got to the Faculty of Documentary Communications and Tourism at the Department of Library and Information Activities. It was there that I realized that I wanted to become a writer, because then writing ceased to be a tool of sublimation for me. I showed my creative side only in the fourth year, when we, as the most “uncreative” faculty, organized our own creative competition. My prose passages took the first place there. This became a kind of “kick” that fate gave me from the bottom of my heart, showing me where I need to go. Life is generally the best teacher. No outstanding person will explain to you so easily what you need to do. Besides, life is not only a wonderful teacher, it is also an inexhaustible source of inspiration; it will give you new food for thought every day.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

AS: I think my biggest achievement this year is that I have become bolder in the manifestation of my creativity, I have stopped being afraid of criticism and regard “experience” as a “failure”, I have become more honest, first of all, with myself. Teenage romanticization and sentiment are, of course, fine, but it’s more useful to be in constant self–improvement. I am very happy that my creativity is growing and developing with me. I also realized that writing “to the table” no longer makes sense, and it’s time to move on, publish and communicate with my target audience in order to identify my strengths and weaknesses.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

AS: It seems to me that the main task of any good writer is not to give the reader ready-made answers to all his questions, but to ask those questions that the reader must answer for himself. This, I think, is the basis of my work.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

AS: I haven’t had time to participate in Guild projects yet, but I will definitely do it in the future. However, I attended creative meetings. When a large number of people gather in one place who are sincerely in love with art, as well as united by a sense of belonging to a common cause, it’s just amazing. Emotions are indescribable!

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?

AS: My main motivation is the realization that I can do more, better, understanding that I have potential that needs to be realized. Saving energy is wonderful, the main thing is to remember that the accumulated knowledge, experience, and potential must be released into the world in time. And my life goal is very simple – to realize myself as a professional in my field, because I have everything else, I am generally a happy person.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?

AS: First of all, consider your creativity not as a tool for making money (although this is the case), but as an opportunity to show what you feel and think to other people. This is a chance to establish communication even with those who do not understand you. All creative people can communicate without words: movements, images, even intonation. This is what makes each of us unique. Don’t be afraid to show yourself to the world. Every art has its own lover. Even if nine people don’t like your work, there will always be one who will be delighted.

“I WAS NOT INTERESTED IN ANYTHING BUT MOVIES..”

“I WAS NOT INTERESTED IN ANYTHING BUT MOVIES..”

INTERVIEW: MAXUD SARSEMBAYEV 

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Maxud Sarsembayev: My name is Maxud Sarsembayev. I am a director, screenwriter, video editor and photographer.

I’ve been writing scripts with my co-writer and co-director Mansur Sarsembayev, for six years. The average score of our scripts on the American film platform of the best unreleased scripts “The Black List” is 7 out of 10.

We translate all our scripts into English and send them to American and European film competitions.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?

MS: It was easy to choose my path, because I was not interested in anything but movies, I would even say more: I am not interested to this day.

I started writing feature scripts with my co-writer in 2016. And, making short films in 2019.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

MS:  The major victories in 2021 are:

– Eurasian Creative Guild Film Festival 2021 – Best Screenplay (“Hacked Future”)

– Votkinsk International Film Festival 2021 (Russia) – Best Screenplay (“The Family Dialect”)

– Best Script Awards 2021 (London) – Best Asian Screenplay (“The Family Dialect”)

– Finalist Diploma “Pitch Lab 2022” from CTC TV (Russia): “Puncher” series and “Hacked Future” feature animated film. (*Here two of our projects made it to the finals, where we defended them at a pitching session in front of the leaders of the Russian film industry. A total of 1186 applications were submitted from 160 cities in 23 countries. 

I participated in the Carl Schoenfeld film workshop organized by the Goethe Institute and the State Center for National Film Support in Kazakhstan. The selection process took place among thousands of young filmmakers and producers in Kazakhstan.

Also, I participated in workshops by American experts: director Hugo Perez, festival agent Kathleen McInnis, and producer Justin Feltman, organized by the American Film Showcase, the U.S. Consulate General in Kazakhstan and the 48HFR Online Film Academy. The selection was made among filmmakers from the CIS countries.

This year I am on the Jury in the English and Russian screenplay category at the 4th Eurasian Film Festival in London 2022.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

MS:  What makes our work unique? Personally, from my point of view, it’s the originality of the ideas, as well as the meticulous approach to working on projects. For example, after we write a feature screenplay, we translate it into English by ourselves, but we don’t send it immediately to competitions. First, we send it to be evaluated for reviews on such popular American film platform as “The Black List” (where have been found such scripts as “Imitation game” and “King’s speech”). And once we get enough reviews with reasoned criticism, we make changes to the script, and already confident in the quality of the project, we send the script to competitions around the world.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

MS: Since 2020, I have been a member of the “Film Industry Expert Council ECG” in the Eurasian Creative Guild.

In addition, I am a member of the jury in the upcoming contests from the “Expert Council”: “Best Video Content” (*video blog/travel video/podcast). 2nd contest “Best video clip or commercial”.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?

MS: Our goal is to break into Hollywood and “become part of the crowd”, but at the same time to represent Kazakhstan’s cinema on the world stage in the category “Foreign Language Film”.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career? 

MS: I wish to all people in the creative industries, “Create, create, create again! Do not retreat from difficulties and do not fear criticism or condemnation of the work”.

THE GOAL IS SELF-REALIZATION

THE GOAL IS SELF-REALIZATION

INTERVIEW: MANSUR SARSEMBAYEV 

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

MS: I am Mansur Sarsembayev, a big fan of cinematography and everything related to it. I started my screenwriting career together with my co-writer Maxud Sarsembayev back in 2016. Since then, we’ve written over 20 full-length screenplays, in genres ranging from action movies to comedies. We have honed our skills, it was evident in the Black List platform where our scores have improved with each script, we end up getting a 7 out of 10 from foreign critics.

In 2018 we sat at the director’s helm and made our debut short animated film, it has collected many awards and accolades from festivals such as: Peninsula Film Festival (Australia) – Best International Short Film; Calcutta International Cult Film Festival (India) – finalist; ARUFF Alemlere Rahmet (Turkey) – finalist.

In 2019, we made our first short feature film, “Поздний сеанс” (eng: Late Session), and although it didn’t collect a ton of awards, we gained a tremendous amount of experience that will help us avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Still, we were finalists in one festival: 2019, Indie Short Fest (Los Angeles) – Certificate of Achievement Finalist

Screenwriting has also paid off over the years; 2020 was a good year for me and my co-writer. For our script of the action movie “Ночной призрак” (eng: Night Ghost) we took an award: Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival – Best Screenplay under 120 pages (USA). And also for the script of the drama “В шаге от самого себя” (eng: One Step from Myself: Golden Pen) (Kazakhstan) – Best Screenplay and Drama of the Year.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?

MS: I wouldn’t lie if I said that our father is the one who instilled in us the right taste for movies. When I was a kid, my father had several boxes of cassettes, and we used to take them all and watch them over and over again. Especially “The Matrix” and “The Last Samurai”. When I was in high school, my co-writer and I used to take all the new releases from the video store off the shelves. And after watching it together with my father we used to discuss the pluses and minuses of the picture from the point of view of the visual range and script structure. And so our passion was formed. It is not difficult to guess that my father was like Moses for us, who pushed the boundaries of our imagination with movies. These circumstances will lead us to screenwriting in the future.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

MS: In 2021, the author and I also have no small distinction, most of it scriptural achievement:

– Best Script Award (London) – Best Asian Screenplay “The Family Dialect”

– Votkinsk International Film Festival (Russia) – Best Screenplay “The Family Dialect”

– Eurasian Creative Guild Film Festival (London) – Best Screenplay “Hacked Future” 

– Finalist Diploma “Pitch Lab 2022” from CTC TV (Russia):  “Puncher” series and “Hacked Future” feature animated film.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

MS: My uniqueness rests on two pillars of faith. The first is the background of the films I’ve seen, and the scriptwriting experience of more than 6 years, which is a huge advantage for young filmmakers, especially those like us who are aiming for auteur cinema. As Akira Kurosawa said, “If you want to be a great director, be a great screenwriter”. Secondly, having a co-author makes up for the fact that I’m not an expert in certain aspects with more than one like-minded person. 

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

MS: I have been a member of ECG since 2019. It’s always exciting to compete at a festival for an award, it’s like being in the ring, but instead of working your muscles, you’re working your guts out. Especially at the ECG Film Festival where the competition is always tough.

This year I was a member of the jury at ECG Film Festival IV, and it was our responsibility to read a lot of work from different authors. It was very enlightening and somewhat of an innovation to judge with an open mind. To abstract one’s preferences and favorite genres for the sake of fairness. This experiment makes it clear that judging is not that easy. There are so many factors to consider, whether it’s the author’s delivery, the dialogue, the characters, or the structure of the script. A huge plus is that you’re remembering all the basics of storytelling, and reinforcing your old knowledge.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?

MS: Every day we see more and more young directors conquering prestigious festivals like Sundance or Cannes, and you realize that a director in his 30s is no longer considered a prodigy. You don’t need more motivation than that. The goal is self-realization. If you want to go deeper, you have to make a feature film as an author, with the support of financing or with your own money. 

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career? 

MS: I wish Eurasia Guild members and all creative people to achieve the heights. Our dreams and interests define us as individuals, so it makes no sense to give them up.

MY GOAL IN LIFE IS TO BE NEEDED BY PEOPLE

MY GOAL IN LIFE IS TO BE NEEDED BY PEOPLE

INTERVIEW: NAZYM SAPAROVA

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Nazym Saparova:  I was fond of reading from early childhood. I especially loved fairy tales of the peoples of the world. I wrote my first fairy tale at the age of 10. As I got older, I started writing stories. These were novelettes describing my inner and surrounding world. My father was a writer and journalist, so he always approved of the activity, which gradually turned into a hobby. After graduating from the university with a degree in journalism, I worked in the media for many years, going from an ordinary paper’s staffer to the chief editor. Later, I went to work for a company, where I retrained as a PR specialist, devoting another 15 years of my life to this occupation. But I never gave up my pen, I gave preference to short stories and novelettes. Many of them, unfortunately, did not survive, the rest I collected in a book that was published in 2017 in London, with the assistance of the Eurasian Creative Guild. The book is interesting because the heroes of my stories were real people, not fictional. That is why it is called “True Stories”. The book includes 3 chapters. One of them is stories about famous people in Kazakhstan, talented and special by the fact that they have received recognition during their lifetime. The other is stories about my family members, or people I knew personally. And the final one is philosophical reflections on a variety of topics that become sharp and significant in the life of any person, that they received recognition during their lifetime.  

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life? How did you choose your path and who is your example/teacher?

NS: I became a writer on my father’s advice, who was for me not only the most dear and beloved person. He was also my teacher and mentor. Noticing my contemplation and love for fantasy, he asked me to make up stories on pictures from books when I was only 4 years old. He was devoting a lot of his time to me, and encouraging a children’s imagination in every possible way, he practically grew a writer out of me. My father, Samar Baizhanov, was an excellent journalist, his favourite genre was an essay – a genre that contains elements of a story. For many years he headed the most important newspaper in Kazakhstan. My father wrote not only articles in newspapers, he is the author of 23 books in prose. I am proud of my father, he was an honest and hardworking man. A street and a school bear his name in Almaty.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

NS: My third book came into existence in 2021. This is a biographical story about the famous theatre and film director of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Mambetov, who was known for his theatrical performances not only in Kazakhstan, but also abroad. He staged performances in Moscow, Prague, Shiraz, took performances on tour to Paris and other cities of the world. These performances deservedly entered the treasury of Kazakhstani culture, and were awarded numerous awards. His life story is the story of a man, who thanks to his talent and work, achieved recognition and fame.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

NS: My main feature is love for literature, history, psychology. The human world is huge and diverse, and this is a goldmine of information that needs to be explored and passed through. All this leads to creativity, the desire to write comes by itself.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

NS: During one of the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild in Almaty, I learned that it is possible to publish a book in London. And I felt it was right. The Guild’s offer to publish a book and distribute it to the whole world through the Guild is a good solution for aspiring writers. The presentation of my book took place in Stockholm, and it was a great time for me, as I not only saw a new country, but also met many creative people from different countries: artists, poets and writers.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity? 

NS: In my opinion, a big motivation is to increase the number of readers of my books, as well as to unite creative people (in the Guild) as like-minded people in a completely new and extraordinary form. We did not notice how we became friends. My goal in life is to be needed by people, and to bring good, maybe even in such a peculiar manner as writing.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their careers?

NS: I wish the Guild prosperity, because this union unites creative people in their ranks, whose thoughts are full of beauty, love, peace. I would like to wish creative people, starting their careers, good luck in new projects, work for people, and world peace, not be afraid of difficulties, and always go towards your goal and your dream.

 LISTEN ONLY TO YOUR INNER WORLD

 LISTEN ONLY TO YOUR INNER WORLD

INTERVIEW:  AIGUL RYSKULBEKOVA

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Aigul Ryskulbekova: Once, when I was studying at school, my friend asked me to make a birthday card for him, and from that moment I started to write my poetry, songs, fairy tales and stories. Your hidden talents can be easily discovered all of a sudden, by chance, and it’s very important to keep on trying and never give up.

I became a children’s author quite by accident, when I was watching my little sons playing, I came up with an idea that I need to leave something behind for them to remember me. The idea did not end there, of course, because I wanted to reach out and get to know my future grandchildren and great-grandchildren through my books, just to leave not only a trace in history, but also to share my creativity with you. I wanted to bring something good into this world and bring positive thoughts and most importantly – the endless, absolute love for everything.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?

AR: My first role model are my ancestors, who passed on all the talents of our Clan. The second one, of course, was my father, Mukan Ryskulbekov, the Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, the composer, singer and actor. He is no longer with us, nevertheless his songs are alive, he sends his feelings through his music, and I can still feel it through his creative work. To this day, he is called a People’s Artist, he was a man with deep feelings. Third one – my mother who taught me to feel love and to show it, which I highly appreciate. Nor should we fail to note, the children that chose me, my friends and my close ones, who makes me feel various types of emotions.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

AR: As far as I am concerned, it is impossible to put my achievements into the time frame of one year, in the view of the fact that my achievements at this moment are the consequence of my past contribution to the future career. The main achievement of a person, I believe, is developing his or her own soul. We come into this world for a very important purpose, and for this purpose we must work on ourselves, improve and develop our merits, become better every day, raise the power of our Clan and increase the number of the clan’s talents and  pass on their traditions, as well as, continuously helping people in developing their souls. 

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

AR: I don’t think I can be described as unique, that’s what people who judge your work do. I suppose, everyone is unique in their own perspective and is capable of identifying talents, further developing them. Believe me, the most important thing is to get started! I share my inner world as I see it at the moment, when I derived my inspiration, writing poetry, as a result. My creativity is inside of me, thus every book is a part of me, as well. The special feature of me is that I do it with great love.  

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work? 

AR: I participate in the Guild’s life in various projects to this day. For instance, my presentation of a series of four children’s books written in Kyrgyz and Russian, which took place in Stockholm. The Guild unites people with different artistic backgrounds. In my specific occasion, it’s about expanding borders, which means new creative acquaintances and new creative projects, inclusively.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?

AR: My main motivation is to bring more positivity to the readers, to make them be able to see the positive side in the daily rush and hustle and of course to evolve every day, also, being capable of building up the curiosity and always ask the question ‘why?’. Culture needs to be preserved by every single person, this is one of the few things that makes us different from one another. Last but not least, is to tackle your fears. My goal for today is that I  have been writing, and I will keep on writing my poetry in the future.     

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career? 

AR: I think, when a person develops his soul every day, his creativity grows along with it, as well as his vision and perspective of life, his worldview. The only two things that stops us from the further development are just our laziness and fear, and in order to somehow deal with them, you just have to get up and make it happen. I would advise the beginners to set and achieve their goals no matter what, and the main thing is to listen only to your inner world, and only after that your creativity and your path will be unique!

LOVE WILL ALWAYS PAVE THE WAY TO A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE!

LOVE WILL ALWAYS PAVE THE WAY TO A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE!

INTERVIEW: NATALYA ROVENSKAYA 

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Natalya Rovenskaya: I moved to Bulgaria from my birthplace in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, five years ago and live in Balchik with my Bulgarian partner Yan. I graduated from Tashkent Conservatory as a violinist, and have a second Degree from Tashkent Culture University. I briefly performed in the orchestra and fronted a pop music band as a vocalist. I love singing and never shy from bursting into a song.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life? 

NR: I didn’t study art but always enjoyed painting as an amateur artist. I embraced the free time caused by the recent Covid lockdown and rediscovered the joys of being creative!

I don’t really have a role model, but I am inspired by the love and kindness of people I meet. The purity and beauty of flowers is a constant source of inspiration too. These sinless creatures are my neighbours,  in Balchik’s beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

NR: The Balchik Art Gallery, hosting my exhibition entitled “Heavenly Gardens”, was undoubtedly the highlight of my year. I was delighted and honoured to present several of my works to the Gallery’s permanent collection.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

NR: Rather than capturing exact landscapes and flowers, I am painting my fantasy, using colour with almost a kaleidoscope effect.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

NR: Having only just joined the ECG, I’ve not yet had an opportunity to participate in any events, but am very much looking forward to doing so.  Learning about the success achieved by other members gives me confidence to reach out to a wider audience, to promote my work.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity? 

NR: I am enjoying immersing myself in the sites and sounds of Balchik life, getting to know other local artists and contributing to the unique ambiance of my new home town.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?

NR: I wish them to not be afraid or shy to express themselves in their own unique way. See the world as beautiful, and learn to love it as it is. Love will always pave the way to a successful future!

AT ANY AGE, YOU CAN START TO REVEAL YOURSELF

AT ANY AGE, YOU CAN START TO REVEAL YOURSELF

INTERVIEW: GALINA PRIMORSKAYA

OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work

Galina Primorskaya: I am Primorskaya Galina (@galinaprimorskaya)

I was born in Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan. My parents are simple. but talented people.

Mom, Olga Akimovna, a professional cutter and seamstress, the pride of our city. She has been creating exclusive outfits for famous people of our country for many years. And dad, Pavel Vasilyevich Kolmakov, was the best electrician in the city. The profession was his calling.

My brother, Alexander Kolmakov, is now an excellent coach in ski jumping, and participated in sports olympiads.

I had a happy childhood, was fond of swimming, gymnastics, and magic tricks.  I have always been an inquisitive, active girl. I have a good three-dimensional vision of objects, so I graduated from a design institute and designed railways. I liked it. Now I work as an accountant in a large company.

Creative energy woke up in me a few years ago. I combine my professional activity with the creative flight and new emotions. My life is filled with bright colours, I am interested in seeing new opportunities and embodying them in my life.

I have traveled a lot in my life. And now I try to often go out into nature and fill up.

I lived in Germany and gave birth to two children there. Now my children have created their own happy families.

My son, Alexander, has a wonderful wife, Milicent, and a daughter, my granddaughter Evochka. Growing up as a singer and artist.

Daughter, Daria Savvina @ darya_savvina_visual . And her wonderful husband Timur, they are raising their son Alexei. My grandson loves building houses and painting.

My grandchildren are 6 years old.

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life? 

GP:I began to reveal my talents in October 2018. I signed up for drawing courses, where I learned how to paint beautiful pictures. I also completed a course in photography. And at the same time engaged in self-development. Another hobby of mine is playing a real drum set.

Of course the teachers are my parents. Watching them, I noted for myself with what love and pleasure they worked.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?

GP: My first exhibition opening day took place in December 2021.

The exhibition was opened by the guest of honour, founder of the Eurasian Creative Guild of London – Marat Akhmedzhanov. The exhibition was held at the highest level!

It was a double holiday for me in my creative life. I became a member of the Eurasian Creative Guild London – this is the best international networking platform.

On March 22, I had a reporting concert. I was a drummer, the song of the Earthlings ensemble “Grass at Home” was performed.It turned out great.

My first interview took place in the big magazine “ChiefAtyrau”

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

GP: At any age, you can start to reveal yourself, I was lucky enough to start everything at the age of 50. The main thing is to have spiritual and physical freedom. Then there are desires to create beauty for yourself and the world.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

GP: I participated in presentations in Almaty. I have been in the Guild for four months.

A big event, the second festival “Voices of friends: poetry and visual arts”, from May 6 to 10 will be held at Rixos Borovoe and ECG Art Residence 

There will be a lot of different activities for every taste – painting, poetry, cinema. During the festival, there is a great opportunity to meet new unique people, expand the circle of like-minded people.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?

GP: I like to discover amazing abilities in myself. There is a desire to do something new, interesting for yourself. To show an example to people that this is possible, you just need to work and fulfil your desires yourself. No one will do it for you and will not achieve results.

I like to communicate with the younger generation, exchange ideas and energies, and then we begin to understand each other better. Life becomes bright and interesting.

 I think this is our main goal – to make people a little happier.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?

GP: I want to wish you to learn to listen to yourself and fulfil your desires.

Work hard and get respectable results. Always move forward to your victories and achievements.It gives strength and self-confidence.

Enjoy the gifts of the universe. After all, you can get a lot of ideas and opportunities.

Together we are a force! We can make the world happy and beautiful!