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Central Asia and South Caucasus Project/Phase II
32,000,000 yen [Self-operated Project]
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Central Asian and South Caucasian countries have completed the transformation of their political and economic systems from the old systems established during the Soviet era. However, after 9.11, they have to consider the international relationships with the US, Russia, China and South Asia in order to solve their domestic problems, and Japan finds it has an important role in approaching these problems from a neutral position.
This is Phase II of Capacity Building for Development in Central Asia and Caucasus project which was implemented from 2000 for six years by the Sasakawa Pan Asia Fund. In five target countries in Central Asia, namely Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirgiz, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, and three South Caucasian countries of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, the project aims to identify means to solve various issues in the areas of politics, economy, diplomacy and security, with Japan playing a leading role while seeking cooperation of experts in East and South Asian nations. Enhancement of human as well as intellectual network within and outside the targeted regions shall also be pursued.
The following activities are planned this year.
- Implementation of Policy Studies
Leading scholars and researchers in the target countries selected through open recruitment or recommendation will perform research activities regarding nation building. Specific topics include: (1) Demographic changes in each country; (2) Development of identity; (3) Provision of system of governance and organization; (4) Realization of social equality; (5) Generation of civil society; (6) Expectation toward government and society by social stratum; (7) Evolution of political value system; and (8) Ethnic distribution.
- Study Workshops (Late June 2007, Urumqi)
Interim reporting and discussions will be held assembling approximately 30 researchers including those described above and other experts on East and South Asian countries.
- 13th SPF Issyk-Kul Forum (November 2007, Goa)
About 40 people who are associated with the project will be invited so as to present the study outcome and build up intellectual and human networks.
- Dissemination of Research Outcome
A web site will be operated in order to publicize the content and achievement of activities described above in an effort to disseminate information from the targeted regions. By ca. March 2008, monograph that contains the results of studies will be compiled and distributed to the parties concerned.
- Advisor Contract
Boris Rumer of Harvard University will be appointed as an advisor for six-month period to seek counsel on the entire spectrum of policy studies and organizing conferences.
- Researches related to Project Execution
Various researches in relation to the Central Eurasia and the South Caucasian countries will be conducted
(Second year of a 5-year project)
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