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Table of contents INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES PARTICIPANTS DISCUSSIONS POLICY ISSUES IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REGION INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES FOLLOW-UP Annex 1. RECOMMENDATIONS Annex 2.LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Introduction The Management of Social Transformations programme, MOST, is a research programme, designed by UNESCO, to promote international comparative social science research. Its primary emphasis is to support large-scale, long-term autonomous research and to transfer the relevant findings and data to decision-makers. The overall long-term objective of MOST is to establish sustainable links between the scientific and policy communities and to emphasise the relevance of social science research for policy-formulation. In the period 1994-1995 MOST is organizing a series of meetings to launch the programme in all regions of the world. The meeting in the Central Asian region was the first in this series. Background The five countries of the Central Asian region, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, are undergoing a period of rapid social change together with a serious economic crisis. The present period of transition in these countries follows the independence from the Soviet Union which was acquired in 1991. All five countries in the region are developing new domestic and foreign policies to cope with the changes in their political, economic and social situation, thus constituting the possibility for research and scientific policy advice to contribute to the actual decision-making process. The MOST programme of UNESCO offers an international framework in which such research and policy advice can be organized. Objectives The meeting focused on the dominant policy issues relating to the social transformations in the region and the role that social science research and policy advice can play. The main objectives of the meeting were to elaborate on the priorities of social and economic policy and research in the Central Asian region, to provide information on the MOST programme, to determine focal points for cooperation on MOST in the participating countries, and to explore the development of one or more MOST projects in the region. Participants Some forty social scientists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan participated in the meetings of the seminar. UNDP, Radio Liberty, and the French Institute for Central Asian Studies in Tashkent were also represented. A full list of participants is attached in Annex 2. Go to Table of contents Discussions The first session was dedicated to the objectives, structure and nature of the MOST programme. Much interest was shown in the capacity-building aspects of the programme and its relevance to research and policy in the region. There was general agreement that the development of the social sciences is difficult in the Central Asian region as a whole. It was remarked that there was no standing tradition of autonomous scientific research during the Soviet era. Even though the former communist ideology has been abandoned in the process of transition, the demand for ideological or political services from social scientists has remained. The participants of the meetings brought forward a strong need for independent research. Governments should accept the idea that social science research can only be effective if it has scientific autonomy; only then can reliable information for policy be generated. The links with the MOST programme were considered very useful in this respect, because MOST could provide examples of independent policy research, and it could strengthen the scientific capacity of the national research community by providing an international comparative framework. An important suggestion that stemmed from the discussions was to establish a stronger cooperation on the regional level. Cooperation in the social sciences between the five countries of Central Asia is virtually non-existent at the moment. The participants discussed at length the establishment of a regional Central Asian Social Science Centre (CASSC), that could provide research training, documentation facilities, and access to social science data via electronic networks. This centre should be planned in coordination with the International Institute of Central Asian Studies, which is to be established with the assistance from UNESCO in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It was recommended that a feasibility study in the framework of the MOST programme, should be undertaken with regard to the establishment of the social science centre in Bishkek. Other needs for the strengthening of the social science research capacity were mentioned, such as the improvement of research facilities, the development of new university curricula in the social sciences with appropriate degrees, and the development of mechanisms for regional cooperation. Go to Table of contents Policy issues in the Central Asian region The participants gave a concise overview on the dominant policy issues relating to the social transformations in their respective countries and in the region as a whole. The main recurrent issue for most of the participants was that of democratic and peaceful co-existence of multi-ethnic groups in the Central Asian countries. All countries have a multi-ethnic population structure, and monitoring of the ways in which the different ethnic and religious groups can live together peaceably is considered an important subject area for policy research. In the past two years some ethnic conflicts have occurred, and it is essential to develop better means for ethnic conflict prevention in the region. These issues overlap and converge with social problems, i.e. unemployment, and thus create explosive situations. Another dominant policy issue is the adaptation of society to the new economic and social developments of the market economy. The transition phase is characterized by a deep economic crisis which has a strong negative influence on the ability of the population to cope with the new situation. The role of women in the adaptation to a market economy society was given as an important subject for study. A specific and very serious problem is the ongoing civil war in Tajikistan which creates devastating socio-economic problems for the country as well as the neighboring countries. It is estimated that already there are about 840,000 refugees in and around Tajikistan. Inflation has become uncontrollable, the country's productivity level is less then half of its usual capacity and unemployment figures for the youth population are estimated at 80%. Go to Table of contents Infrastructure of the social sciences Overviews of the existing social science infrastructure were given for each country represented at the meeting. The most detailed overviews were given for Kazakhstan and Kyrgystan: in these countries the social science community amounts to some 100 scientists, working in the economy, sociology and philosophy departments of the universities, the academies of science and some specialized private public opinion research institutes. The utilization of research in social and economic policy-making is considered non-existent. Research facilities, such as specialized libraries and documentation centers, data archives, and computing laboratories, are very underdeveloped. The social science curricula at the university level are more or less still dependent on the teaching materials of the Soviet period. The international programme SOCIUM was presented at the meeting by the Kyrgyz State National University. SOCIUM is based on the general propositions of the MOST programme; it was set up in response to the regional meeting. The programme seeks to coordinate and systematize research and teaching activities in the social sciences in the region. It lists a number of research projects on a regional scale, such as a study on the role of the media in the evolution of ethnic and cultural conceptions in the societies of Central Asia and a study of the integration of the countries of Central Asia. A further objective of the SOCIUM programme is the improvement of skills of social scientists, and the establishment of a graduate programme in social sciences at selected universities. The programme will apply for an associate status to MOST, so that international links will be available. Follow up The meeting resulted in a number of recommendations that were unanimously accepted. These recommendations are included in Annex 1. A number of regional project proposals will be prepared as a result of the meeting. These proposals will be submitted to MOST. A feasibility study for the establishment of a Central Asian Social Science Centre in Bishkek will be undertaken in the framework of MOST. Go to Table of contents Annex 1. RECOMMANDATIONS Preamble The Management of Social Transformations programme, MOST is a research programme, designed by UNESCO, to promote international comparative social science research. Its primary emphasis is to support large-scale, long-term autonomous research and to transfer the relevant findings and data to decision-makers. The overall long-term objective of MOST is to establish sustainable links between the scientific and policy communities and to emphasise the relevance of social science research for policy-formulation. 1. The participants of the meeting, social scientists from Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, recognised the relevance of the objectives and themes of the MOST Programme; they expressed their willingness to co-operate in this Programme. 2. The role which MOST can play for monitoring the social and economic changes in the Central Asian region and for providing policy-relevant scientific knowledge to governments and decision-makers was stressed. 3. Policy-relevant research is of central importance to the issue of democratic and peaceful co-existence of multi-ethnic groups in the Central Asian countries. A collaborative project on ethnic conflict prevention in the different countries of Central Asia will be developed. 4. MOST is considered as an appropriate instrument to stimulate social science co-operation between the researchers of the countries in the Central Asian region. 5. The impact of the changes resulting from the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the adaptation to the new economic and social developments constitute a common research interest in the countries of the Central Asian region. 6. Activities should be started in the framework of MOST to strengthen the social science research capacity, including teaching at the university level, research training, improvement of research facilities, documentation facilities, access to electronics networks and mechanisms for regional co-operation. 7. The meeting recommends that each of the countries establish a MOST Liaison Committee. 8. The SOCIUM programme, developed by the National University of Kyrgystan should be considered as an associated MOST programme. 9. A feasibility study for the establishment of a Central Asian Social Science Centre in Bishkek is to be undertaken in the framework of MOST. The creation of this centre should be considered in accordance with the needs of the Central Asian countries and in co-ordination with other relevant activities so as to create synergies and economies of scale. Go to Table of contents Annex 2. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Mr Ibraim Abdurakhmanov Senior Researcher Institute of Economics Academy of Sciences BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Berik Abdygaliyev Researcher Institute of Strategic Studies under President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Samal-1, 10, ap.21 ALMATY Kazakhstan Ms G. Aituganova Chief, Chair for Theory of Economics Kievskaya str., 168/40 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr K. Aliev Dean Department for Economics and Management Kyrgyz National University BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr M. Artykbaev Officer Kyrgyz National University Youg-2 BISHKEK 53 Kyrgyz Republic Mr Mesir Ashirkulov Director Kyrgyz American Business School Panfilov str. BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Ilyas Atymbetov Chief of Department Institute of Philosophy of the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan Rizybakiyev str., 136 - ap. 11 ALMATY Kazakhstan Mr Akbar Baudunov Senior Researcher Institute of Economics and Politology Academy of Sciences BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Kuban Bekturganov Chief, Department of Sociology Kyrgyz National University Sovetskya str., 152/42 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr G. Belai Institute of Economics Academy of Sciences Microdistrct 6, 1715 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Anar Blishembievo Chief, International Department International University BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Tychtykbek Chorotegin Radio "Liberty" BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Nurcamil Culmatov Chief, Department for Kyrgyz Mentality National Academy of Sciences BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr G.V. Cumskov Chief, Department for Social Policy Institute of Econoics and Politology Academy of Sciences Microdistrict 6, 1715 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Sadyrbek Djigitekov Director, Analytical Centre "MANAS-ATA" Society BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Salarbek Djumakadyrov Lecturer Chair of Sociology Kyrgyz National University BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Akylbek Djumanaliev Deputy Director Institute of History Academy of Sciences BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Daniyr Dubanaev Programme Officer United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Chuykov st.90 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Ms T.S. Djikanbaeva Senior Researcher Institute of Economics and Politology Academy of Sciences Microdistrict 6, 1715 ISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr A.K. Isaev Officer Division for Eastern Europe and CIS Ministry of Foreign Affairs BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Sirodidjin Kamilov Head, Chair for Management and Commerce Tadjik State University Lomonosov str., 371/4, ap.30 DUSHANBE, Tajikistan Mr Oljobai Kaptagaev Lecturer Department of History Kyrgyz National University BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr D. Kulmatov Chief, Chair of Sociology Kyrgyz National University 40 ut. Oktyabra str., 94/41 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Ms Marina Leshenko Lecturer Chair of Economics Kyrgyz National University BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr L.M. Mak Secretary-Academician Institute of Economicsy and Politology Academy of Sciences Microdistrict 6, 1715 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr M. Mamyrov Senior Researcher Institute of Economics Academy of Sciences BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Kamalbay Mardanov Head, Centre for Sociology and Interethnic Relations Institute of Philosophy of the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan samal-1, 10, ap.5, ALMATY Kazakhstan Mr Cholpen Nusupov Chief, Department for History of Philosophy and Culturology Kyrgyz National University BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Ms Tokon Ojukeeva Chief, Department for Politology Kyrgyz National University Isanova str., 143/1 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Ms Chinara Omurkulova Researcher Laboratory for Sociology Kyrgyz Humanitarian University BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr E.S. Orozaliev Chief of Chair for Philosophy Institute of Agriculture BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Vladislav Petotskii Deputy Director Public Opinion Research Centre Tynystanova Str., 120 BISHKEK 720018 Kyrgyz Republic Mr Vladimir Ploskik Vice-President National Academy of Sciences Chui prospect, 265a BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Valery Ryabikov Committee for Religion Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan Massiv Gulistan, 39, ap. 17 TASHKENT 208 Uzbekistan Mr Daniarov Sanjarbek Director Institute of History Academy of Sciences BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Mars Sariev Officer, Division for Eastern Europe and CIS Ministry of Foreign Affairs BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Nurlan Seytahmatov Chief, Department of Academy Sciences of Kazakhstan M.Torez str., 34, ap.119 ALMATY Kazakhstan Mr Viacheslav Shapovalov Director Centre for Public Relations Kyrgyz National University BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Vincent Snijders Programme Officer United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Chuykov st. 90 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Muhamed Sushanlo Head, Department for Dungan Study Academy of Sciences BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Ms Anara Tabyshalieva Lecturer Department of History Kyrgyz National University Microdistrict "Jal", 7/56 BISHKEK Kyrgyz Republic Mr Johanne Youres Deputy Director French Institute for Central Asian Study in Tashkent Gafur Gulom Street, 1, ap. 53 TASHKENT Uzbekistan UNESCO Mr Ali Kazancigil Director a.i., Division for Social Sciences, Research and Policy Executive Secretary, MOST Mr Paul de Guchteneire Secretariat MOST

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