[Discussion] Orta Asya'da Kentleşme ve Göçebelik

[Gonul]

Distrib. by: Central-Eurasia-L - Announcement List for Central Eurasian
Studies


CONF./CFP- Urbanization and Nomadism in Central Asia, Almaty, 22-23 May
2003

National Commission of RK on UNESCO Affairs
Institute of Oriental Studies by the name of R. B. Suleimenov
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan

"Urbanization and Nomadism in Central Asia: History and Problems"

22-23 May 2003, the Institute of Oriental Studies by the name of R. B.
Suleimenov of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of
Kazakhstan, the National Commission of RK on UNESCO Affairs and UNESCO
chair
organizes the International Scientific Conference "Urbanization and
nomadism of Central Asia: history and problems".

The purpose of the conference is to review the significant issues of
history
and culture of Central Asian nomadism, modern social problems relating
to
the growth of cities, change of ecological and social environment of
Central
Asia.

The phenomenon of nomadism appeared as a way of adapting to the natural
conditions of an arid zone, create a number of socio-economic, ethnical,

cultural and ideological formations. The culture of nomadism presenting
a
valuable experience of co-existence of the human being with nature was
very
important in the process of formation of the Central Asia history.
Interaction of nomads with settled and agricultural civilizations
determined
existing up to the new time the system conditionally named as
"steppe-town",
where structural relations presented main aspects of the historical
development.

Changes in the socio-economic and technology spheres started gradually
replace the forms of cultural and economic activities developed by
nomadism.
The process led to irreversible effects for nomadic culture in general
for
all habitats of nomads.

The development of industrial centres and cities limited the living
space
for the nomadic way of life. Disappearance of the whole layer of the
nomadic
culture should be interpreted from the conceptual position.

During the conference the following issues were supposed to discuss:

1) History of the development of the town and nomadic culture;
2) Historical interaction of nomadic and settled cultures;
3) influence of globalization on socio-political and economic aspects of

   urbanization in central Asia;
4) Modern process of urbanization and ways of adaptation of former
nomads to
   new industrial and informational forms of activities;
5) Preserving a positive experience of traditional way of life of nomads
in
   Central Asian region and creating the variants of ecologically
balances
   development of arid regions in the world.

Scientists and specialists in the sphere of urbanization and nomadism
study
are welcome to participate in the conference.  Please submit your
applications (name, place of work, scientific degree and title, title of
the
report, brief resume, sphere of research) for the participation in the
conference by 16 March 2003, at the e-mail invostok@orient.samal.kz.

Working languages of the conference - Kazakh, Russian, English.

Transport expenses shall be covered by the participant.

If you have any questions, please apply for the Organization Committee
to
the address:

Kurmangazy Street 29
Almaty 480100
Kazakhstan
tel.: +7 (3272) 621601
fax:  +7 (3272) 622835
e-mail: invostok@orient.samal.kz