AKF Co-sponsors Conference on “Good Governance in Central Asia”

A conference on “Good Governance in Central Asia” was held on 29-30 May, 2009 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The conference was jointly organised by Central Asia Project of the University of Giessen and Aga Khan Foundation. Representatives from Majlisi namoyandagon of Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, Strategic Research Centre under the President of Republic of Tajikistan, Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Institute of Economic Research, international donors and organisations and local non-governmental organisations were among the participants. Speakers of the conference also included prominent scholars from Germany, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The two day conference consisted of three panels – ‘Concept of Good Governance’, Good Governance and Socio-Economic Development’ and Good Governance and the Political System. The discussion of the conference highlighted broader definitions of ‘Good Governance’, the experience of Germany and other countries in its establishment, and how to adopt such practice taking into consideration the mentality, culture and history of Central Asian Countries.

The conference brought together not only participants from different countries, but also scholars, researches and practitioners from various fields including politicians, sociologists, economists, historians and members from various NGO’s and Civil Society Organisations both within and outside the country.

While explaining the field of governance, the discussion also touched upon common issues faced by different countries related to the understanding of civil society, fighting against corruption and other current problems. The importance of regional cooperation between European countries, as shared by the German presenters, was proposed as a way for a better development for the Central Asian countries. Suggestions were also made to have a continuity of this discussion on themes such as “Enabling Environment for Investment’.

For further information contact the Husnoro Dodikhudoeva, AKF Tajikistan, husnoro.dodikhudoeva@akdn.org