CONF: Civil Society in Central Asia


Center for Civil Society International ([email protected])
Thu, 5 Mar 1998 17:59:30 -0800 (PST)


                  The Central Asia Institute

  of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
              at The Johns Hopkins University

                            and

             Center for Civil Society International
                         Seattle, WA

     invite you to a two-day conference on the theme of

               "Civil Society in Central Asia"

Dates: Monday and Tuesday, March 30-31, 1998

Location: Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
            The Johns Hopkins University
            1619 Massachusetts Ave., NW
            Washington, DC 20036

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]

Updates: http://www.friends-partners.org/~ccsi/announce/caconf.htm

RESERVE NOW--SPACE IS LIMITED!

(Conference program and registration form below)

   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.

                       Conference Agenda*

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.
               Discussant: Ayse Kudat, Principal Social Scientist,
               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 Kochumkulkizi 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: Malcolm 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.

                    ****************************

                    Conference Registration Form

__ Please register me for the full two-day conference "Civil Society in
   Central Asia," March 30-31.

__ 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

This conference and a book that will result from it are made possible by
generous grants from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Earhart
Foundation.

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  * * *** ** Seattle, WA 98105 Fax: (206) 523-1974
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