[Discussion] Fulbright?

[gonul@bilkent.edu.tr]

CONF./CFP- Central Asia on the Paths of Transformation, Tashkent, Nov. 19-21 

International Scientific Conference 
Central Asia on the Paths of Transformation 

Deadline for Proposals: October 6, 2003 
November 19-21, 2003 
Fulbright Association of Uzbekistan 

Tashkent, Uzbekistan 

Fulbright Association of Uzbekistan proudly announces the holding of a 
multidisciplinary conference on Central Asia the Paths of Transformation. 

The purpose of the conference is to bring together academia, researchers, 
analysts, practitioners, policy-makers to exchange of ideas on issues 
related to present-day development of Central Asia, for networking and 
sharing recent research endeavors. 

The conference will be held in Tashkent. 

The topics to be covered by conference sessions will encompass 
interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary issues and future prospects for 
opportunities and main directions of modern CA development: 

1) International relations. This session will examine geopolitical situation 
in CA and current trends of policy-making and policy-decision towards the 
region based on different approaches in accordance with the priorities of 
regional actors. 

What are the new trends in regional geopolicy from the point of view of 
interests and political, economical, social and cultural priorities of the 
involved actors? Is the model of "unipolar world" vital? What are the ways 
for competition and cooperation in a new environment? 

2) Problems of regional security. This session will examine the challenges 
and threats for the security in Central Asia and new forms and methods of 
dealing with them. 

Is it possible to avoid such a phenomenon as international terrorism and 
drug trafficking, arms trade and organized criminality in the era of 
globalization? What kind of solutions do we have for refugee, unemployment 
and labor migration problems in Central Asia? Mechanisms for conflict 
prevention and resolution in Central Asia. Ecological problems are they so 
really dangerous nowadays? What are new initiatives in the sphere of 
regional security in Central Asia? 

3) Afghanistan: the problems of reconstruction. What is the implications of 
the situation in Afghanistan on the security of Central Asian region, and 
links with the rest of the Islamic world? What kind of real international 
assistance does Afghanistan get at present? How to increase the efficiency 
of present assistance to Afghanistan through regional and international 
economic structures? Obstacles and ways to improve them in the sphere of 
cooperation with Afghanistan. What are the perspectives for the regulation 
of Afghanistan problem? 

4) Economical Policy. This session will examine economic cooperation, 
development of economies in the short-term perspectives and issues related 
to influence of globalization. 

How are the problem of "North-South" and new economical relations connected 
to each other in current situation? What are the priorities of economical 
policy of the West in the Central Asia and common interests for using 
natural resources? The barriers impeding attraction of foreign investments, 
interaction among banks, development of small and medium business and 
exploitation of natural resources in the region. The session will also 
discuss the issues of assisting the sustainable economic development of the 
Central Asian states by such financial institutions as World Bank, EBRD, 
ABD, IMF and others. What are the relevant models for social, economical and 
environmental sustainable development? Prospects of energy transportation 
from Central Asia and the Caucasus. 

5) Cultural values in the development of civil society. 

This session will discuss Islam and national-cultural traditions and their 
role in forming civil society. A secular state and tolerance in 
multi-confessional environment. How do politics influence religion and visa 
versa? The reasons and sources for religious extremism and radicalism. 
Islamic movements in Central Asia. Modern nations and Islam. Islam, 
fundamentalism and terrorism. National identity problems do they exist in 
Central Asia? How to preserve ethno-national stability in multi-national and 
multi-confessional society? 

6) Social development and human rights. The specifics of the transforming 
social environment in Central Asia. Stratification in local society. What 
kind of difficulties does Central Asian society have on the way to its 
renewal and transformation? What is the difference between western and 
eastern models of democracy? Problems of realization of political rights and 
freedoms. 

7) The role of Mass Media and Internet. This session will study the role of 
Mass Media and Internet in policy and will analyze the challenges and 
threats in information field. Is mass media independent of stereotypes? What 
is ethics of journalism? What are the adequate ways of developing the 
independent mass media? How formation of the single information space in 
Central Asia could facilitate the rapprochement of nations and mechanisms of 
open dialogue between the states and nations? What is the way to solve 
problems of objective coverage of the events in the Central Asia by foreign 
and regional mass media? The ways for integration of CA in information 
society of world. 

8) The role of the Fulbright and other United States government sponsored 
exchange programs for strengthening mutual understanding between nations 
through exchange of ideas and knowledge. What are the main priorities of 
these programs for the nearest future? The ways to improve cultural and 
educational exchange, promote national reforms in the sphere of culture and 
education. How to replace nationalism with internationalism? 

Selected papers will be collated for publication in an edited book volume. 

Conference sessions may include (but not necessarily limited to) the following: 

* State and Society Relations 
* Religion and Politics 
* Islam and Islamic Movements 
* Culture and Ethnicity 
* Nationalism 
* Natural Resources and Conflicts 
* Human rights 
* Women and Minorities 
* Economic and Social Development 
* Conflict Prevention and Resolution 
* Terrorism and State Violence 
* Regional and International Organizations and Cooperation 
* Civil Society 

Interested participants should submit the following: 

* Title of paper 
* Your full name 
* Institutional affiliation 
* E-mail address 
* Telephone number 
* Postal address 

Abstract of paper up to 2 pages in A4-format with references at the end of 
text (12 New Roman, 1,5, Word/RTF) in Russian or English due October 1, 2003 
should be sent via e-mail as an attachment. 

Confirmation will be sent by e-mail. 

The Program Committee welcomes contributions in all fields of Central Asian 
Studies, especially new areas of investigation and/or novel approaches to 
traditional fields. Pre-organized panels and interdisciplinary panels, 
which attempt to establish dialogue between the many disciplines encompassed 
by Central Asian studies, are particularly welcome. 

Please e-mail the above information to the conference committee: 

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: October 6, 2003. 

The conference will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Tashkent. 

Special Rates Available 

An early bird registration rate (105$ including breakfast) is available to 
participants who register for the conference before Aug. 31**, so make sure 
to register today! After Aug. 31, the conference registration rate will 
increase to $235. 

To make hotel reservations, contact the Intercontinental Hotel directly at 
following address: 

107a Amir Temur str. 
Tashkent 7000081 
Uzbekistan 
Phone: +998-1207000 
Fax: +998-1206161 
E-mail: tasha-banqueting@interconti.com, tasha-reservations@interconti.com 
Web: <http://www.intercontinental.com> 

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Dr.Lola Gulyamova 

Chair of the Board 
Fulbright Association of Uzbekistan 
80 Uzbekiston str., room 201 
Tashkent Uzbekistan 
Tel: +998-71-1146711, +998-712-479658 
E-mail:lola@freenet.uz 
Web: <http://fulbright.freenet.uz>, <http://fullbright.freenet.uz>, 
<http://homepages.alumni.uz/lola>