 | Center for Civil Society International |  |
| Dates: | Monday and Tuesday, March 30-31, 1998 | Conference Agenda |
| Location: | Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies The Johns Hopkins University 1619 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036 |
Registration Form |
| To reserve a place: | (202) 663-7730 RSVP (202) 663-5782 fax | |
| More information: | (202) 663-5642 or (206) 523-4755 [email protected] [email protected] |
What is the status of civil society in Central Asia today-seven years after the fall of communism? At the heart of the concept of civil society is the idea that society is comprised of many associations, organizations, and institutions, of which the state is only one; and that citizen-state relations are only one element in a mosaic of relationships. In civil societies institutions of family, market, press, religion, philanthropy and voluntary associations, occupy a large part of "social space" and determine social behavior. These institutions compete with, limit, and complement the power of the state under developed systems of law and constitutional government-which have normally evolved over decades, if not centuries.
The purpose of the conference will be to assess the development of elements of civil society in the five formerly Soviet nations of Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the early stages of their respective "transitions." Discussions will focus on the role of independent social organizations and voluntary associations in Central Asian societies, but this focus will occur within a larger theoretical framework which analyzes organizational developments as they represent possible tendencies toward pluralism, the rule of law, and new norms of citizenship within Central Asian societies. Conference sessions will address among other issues: the legal environment for independent social organizations in Central Asia; the effects of privatization on social networks; the re-emergence of Islam and its effects; government-NGO relations; efforts by the international community to support the growth of civil society in the region; the role of new women's organizations; the state of the independent media; and the role of environmental issues in social mobilization.
| Mon, Mar 30 | |
| 8:00 am | Registration. Coffee. |
| 8:30 | "Civil Society and National Development in Central Asia." Fred Starr, Chairman, Central Asia Institute. |
| 9:15 - 10:30 | "Legal Regulation of NGOs in Central Asia." Scott Horton. Partner, Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler. Discussant: Natasha Bourjaily, Program Director, NIS, International Center for Not for Profit Law |
| Break | |
| 10:45 - 12:00 | "Citizen and State: Human Rights in Central Asia." Evgeni Zhovtis, Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights. Discussant: Catherine Fitzpatrick, International League for Human Rights. |
| 12:00 - 1:15 | Lunch. (Conference participants may purchase lunch tickets at registration.) |
| 1:15 - 2:30 | "Civil Society and Identity in Uzbekistan: The Emergent Role of Islam." Reuel Hanks, Editor, Journal of Central Asian Studies. Discussant: Olivier Roy. |
| 2:30 - 3:45 | "Kolkhoz and State: Autonomy or Tool?" Olivier Roy, National Center for Scientific Research, France. Discussants: Ayse Kudat and Marnia Lazreg, Economic and Social Development Group, World Bank |
| Break | |
| 4:00 - 5:30 | Panel Discussion: "What Does a Focus on Civil Society Do For Central Asia-if Anything?" |
| 6:00 | Reception, dinner, and recital of episodes from the epic 'Manas' by Elmira K�ch�mk�lk�z� playing the traditional Kyrgyz instrument, the komuz. (Participants must pre-register for dinner--use form below.) |
| Tues, Mar 31 | |
| 8:30 - 9:45 | "The Emerging Role of Women's Organizations in Central Asia." Ula Ikramova, Eurasia Foundation- Tashkent. Discussant: Kathleen Collins, Doctoral Candidate, Stanford University. |
| 9:45 - 11:00 | "Environmental Issues and Civil Society in Central Asia." Kate Watters, ISAR. Discussant: Deborah Espinosa, University of Washington School of Law. |
| Break | |
| 11:15 - 12:30 | "Challenges to Independent TV and Radio in Central Asia." Oleg Katsiev, Internews-Central Asia. Discussant: TBA. |
| 12:30 - 1:30 | Lunch. (Conference participants may purchase lunch tickets at registration.) |
| 1:30 - 2:45 | "Opportunities and Obstacles to Government-NGO Cooperation in the Kyrgyz Republic." Erkin Kasybekov, Consultant to Government of Kyrgyzstan. Discussant: M. Russell-Einhorn, Abt Associates. |
| 2:45 - 4:00 | "The Real Work: Continued and Future Development of the NGO Sector in Central Asia" Jay Cooper, COUNTERPART. |
| Break | |
| 4:15 - 5:30 | Round table wrap-up with conference presenters and conference adjournment. |
*Agenda subject to change
__ Please register me only for the following part(s) of the conference_________________________________ .
Note: Due to seating limitations, registration preference will be given to those attending the entire conference.
__ I will attend the Monday evening reception and dinner. A check for $25 (made out to "SAIS") is enclosed.
Name___________________________________
Organizational Affiliation_______________________________
Mailing Address______________________________________________________________________________
Tel__________________________
Fax________________________
E-mail_____________________________
Return form by March 25 to: Central Asia Institute, SAIS, 1619 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036
The URL for this page is: http://www.friends-partners.org/~ccsi/announce/caconf.htm
Last updated: March 5, 1998
| Center for Civil Society International | |