FORUM
Active Central Asia
November 7–8, 2024, Almaty

an event that brings together activists, experts and partners of the foundation from Central Asia to discuss current regional challenges and promote social justice.
About
The forum is dedicated to discussing key issues of social justice, regional cooperation and identity formation in Central Asia. The event provides a platform for sharing experiences, discussing research results and strengthening partnerships.
Objectives:
  • To discuss new challenges and changes in the social context of the region.
  • Present the results of projects and research carried out over the past five years.
  • Strengthen collaboration between activists, experts and partner organizations.
Target Audience
  • Activists and representatives of civil society

  • Experts and researchers

  • Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Partners in Central Asia

  • Media representatives

Key Topics
Social Justice and Inclusivity
Regional Interaction and Collaboration
Formation of an active civil society
Socio-Ecological Transformation
The Role of Central Asia in International Relations
Programme
November 7, 2024:
Forum with Civil Society Representatives: “BUILDING AN ACTIVE SOCIETY IN CENTRAL ASIA: SOLIDARITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION”
8:30 – 9:00
Participant Registration
9:00 – 9:15
Opening of the Forum
Welcome Address by Marlies Linke, Head of the Central Asia Representative Office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (RLS CA)
09:15-10:45
Session 1: Panel Discussion
Moderator: Sultanbek Qaiym, Project Manager at Eurasian Center for People Management (ECPM), Adjunct Assistant Professor at Narxoz University (Kazakhstan)
“Social Justice – Key Concepts and Practices in Central Asia”
09:20-09:30
Dmitry Mazorenko, Journalist, Editor, Independent Researcher (Kazakhstan)
“Limits of Development: Why is Kazakhstan in a Situation of Inescapable Social Crisis?”
09:30-09:40
Eugenia Pesci, Doctoral Researcher at the Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow (Finland)
“‘Able to Work — Must Work’: How Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are Replacing the Soviet Social Security Model with Neoliberal Alternatives”
09:40-09:50
Gulnara Ibraeva, Founder and Analyst at PIL Research Company (Kyrgyzstan)
“Social Justice in Kyrgyzstan – Perspectives of Political, Religious Elites, and Civil Society Leaders”
09:50-10:00
Zulaikho Usmanova, Lead Senior Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Law, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan (Tajikistan)
“Social Justice in Tajikistan and Central Asia”
10:00-10:10
Bakhtiyor Alimjanov, Ph.D. in History, Senior Researcher at the Abu Rayhan Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies (Uzbekistan)
“The Social State in Uzbekistan: Between Socialism and Capitalism”
10:10-10:45
Q&A / Discussion
10:45-11:15
Coffee Break
11:15-13:00
Session 2: Key Speaker Discussion
Moderator: Madina Tursunova, General Director of ADVISOR PRO LLC, Patent Attorney and Head of the Association of Patent Attorneys of Uzbekistan, Media Lawyer, Intellectual Property Lawyer, Mediator (Uzbekistan)
“New Social Contract: Societal Demands and State Responses”
11:20-11:35
Emilbek Dzhuraev, Ph.D., Researcher at "Crossroads – Central Asia," Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
“Who is Society? What is the Contract About? Toward a Good Life A Posteriori”
11:35-11:50
Gulmira Ileuova, Ph.D. in Sociology, President of the Public Foundation "Center for Social and Political Studies 'Strategy'" (Kazakhstan)
“What Kind of State Are We Building?”
11:50-12:05
Arustan Zholdasov, Executive Director of the Center for Social Research "Expert Fikri" (Uzbekistan)
“Social Contract in the Practice and Needs of the Middle Class and Civil Society”
12:05-12:20
Denis Dzhivaga, Director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law (Kazakhstan)
“Challenges in Upholding Human Rights in Central Asia: Society and State, Demand for Change in Contemporary Realities”
12:20-13:00
Q&A / Discussion
13:00 –14:00
Lunch
14:00 –15:30
Session 3:
Moderator: Yerbol Ismailov, Managing Director for ESG, Strategic Communications, and Corporate Culture at JSC "Qarmet" (Kazakhstan)
“Just and Inclusive Societies in Central Asia: Rights and the Development of Their Application Practices”
14:05-14:15
Lyazzat Kaltayeva, Chairperson of the Association of Women with Disabilities "Shyrak," Chair of the Central Asian Forum of People with Disabilities (Kazakhstan)
“Public and Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Central Asian Countries as a Prerequisite for Building an Inclusive and Fair Society”
14:15-14:25
Lesya Karataeva, Doctor of Historical Sciences, General Director of the Private Institution "Eurasian Center for People Management" (Kazakhstan)
“A 'Difficult' Question: What Hinders the Development of a Culture of Labor Rights Protection in Kazakhstan?”
14:25-14:35
Asadullo Zikrikhudoev, Chairman of the "National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Tajikistan" (Tajikistan)
“Just and Inclusive Societies in Central Asia: The Experience of Tajikistan”
14:35-14:45
Gulmaydan Urozbayeva, Ph.D. in History, Director of the Center for Mediation and Law "Parasat," Associate Professor at the Kazakh-German University (Kazakhstan)
“Practices and Mechanisms for Resolving Labor Conflicts in Kazakhstan: Problems and Prospects”
14:45-14:55
Alexander Vileykis, Ph.D. in Philosophy, Sociologist, Professor at the Eurasian Institute of Economic and Legal Research, Director of the Community Center at Narxoz University (Kazakhstan)
“Inclusion and Discrimination in the Urban Environment: Problems of the 'New' Districts of Almaty
14:55-15:30
Q&A / Discussion
15:30-16:15
Coffee Break
16:15-17:45
Session 4:
Moderator: Takhmina Saidova, Chairperson of the Public Foundation "Public Health and Human Rights" (Tajikistan)
“Just and Inclusive Societies in Central Asia: Developing Gender Equality and an Accessible Social Environment”
16:20-16:30
Adil Nurmakov, Ph.D. in Political Science, Director of Urban Forum Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan)
“Decision-Making in the City: Quality, Citizen Participation, and Sustainable Development”
16:30-16:40
Serik Beimenbetov, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Vice-Rector for Science and
Technology Transfer at the Kazakh-German University (Kazakhstan)
“Urban Movements in Central Asia as a 'Passive Revolution': From Local Initiatives to Global Changes”
16:40-16:50
Rada Galkina, Urban Researcher, Founder of the Urban Initiative Peshcom (Kyrgyzstan)
“Habitat – Bishkek”
16:50-17:00
Zhanar Sekerbayeva, Ph.D., Co-founder of the Kazakhstani Feminist Initiative Group "Feminita" (Kazakhstan)
“How the State Excludes Various Groups of Women from Public Life in Kazakhstan: Discriminatory Practices”
17:00-17:10
Svetlana Dzardanova, Researcher at "Freedom for Eurasia" (Kyrgyzstan)
“Advancing Gender Equality in Central Asia: Legislation and Reality”
17:10-17:20
Aigerim Tleubai, Program Director of FemAgora Central Asian Feminist Collective, Communications and Strategic Management Specialist in the Public Sphere (Kazakhstan)
“Inclusivity and Justice in the Context of Gender-Sensitive Movements in Central Asia”
17:20-17:55
Q&A / Discussion
17:55-18:15
Summary of Day One of the Forum
18:00-20:00
Reception for Forum Participants
November 8, 2024:
FORUM "CENTRAL ASIA: REGIONAL AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES"
9:30 –10:00
Participant Registration
10:00 –11:30
Session 1:
Moderator: Nargiza Muratalieva, Ph.D. in Political Science, Associate Professor at the American University of Central Asia, Department of International and Comparative Politics (Kyrgyzstan)
“Challenges Facing Central Asian Countries: Water, Resources, Climate Change, Migration”
10:05-10:15
Rustam Mahmudov, Associate Professor of the Department of Political Science at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Advanced International Studies (Uzbekistan)
“Climate and Environmental Security Challenges in Central Asia: Is There an Answer?”
10:15-10:25
Saodat Olimova, Ph.D. in Philosophy, Head of the Sociological Service of the Analytical Center "Shark" (Tajikistan)
“Climate Change in Central Asia and Migration”
10:25-10:35
Bela Syrlybayeva, Ph.D. in Economics, Head of ESG Lab at the Project Management Office of Kazakh-British Technical University (Kazakhstan)
“Energy and Environmental Security of Central Asia: Challenges and Opportunities”
10:35-10:45
Murod Nasyrоv, Head of Component 4 "International Cooperation and Knowledge Management" of the Aral Wetlands Project Implementation Group (Uzbekistan)
“Prospects for Intra-Regional Cooperation in the Use of Water Resources”
10:45-10:55
Ulan Umetov, Coordinator of Educational Programs at the Environmental Movement "BIOM" (Kyrgyzstan)
“Sustainable Society: Climate Challenges and Social Justice”
11:00-11:30
Q&A / Discussion
11:30-12:00
Coffee Break
12:00-13:30
Session 2:
Moderator: Vladimir Paramanov, Doctor of Political Sciences, Head of the Department at the Coordination and Methodological Center on Issues of Recent History of Uzbekistan under the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan)
“Central Asia in Changing International Systems”
12:05-12:15
Konstantin Syroyezhkin, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor (Kazakhstan)
“China in Central Asia: Threats and Challenges”
12:15-12:25
Vyacheslav Dodonov, Doctor of Economics, Chief Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies of the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan)
“Shifts in Global Economic Development Trends and Their Impact on Central Asian Countries”
12:25-12:35
Andrey Chebotarev, Ph.D. in Political Science, Director of the Center for Current Studies "Alternative" (Kazakhstan)
“EU Policy in Central Asia at the Present Stage: Main Trends”
12:35-12:45
Sultan Akimbekov, Ph.D. in History, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies (Kazakhstan)
“Central Asia in the Context of Recent Conflicts”
12:45-12:55
Sherali Rizoyon, Ph.D. in Political Science, Independent Analyst (Tajikistan)
“Challenges and Opportunities of the ‘Opening of the South’ for Central Asian Countries: Why Do the States of Our Region Need a Balance in Developing Relations with All Neighboring Countries?”
13:00-13:30
Q&A / Discussion
13:30-14:00
Summary of the Forum
14:00-14:30
Coffee Break
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