A history of the development of a human society reveals words which long ago turned into an aphorism: "Interests are corrected by life". Behind the activity of simple and great persons, and of various social groups lie certain interests. These interests are a major factor driving and orienting human activity. The various paths of public development and human history imply as many human needs and interests as there are people and social groups. This results in collisions of interests.

But to stop on the idea that interests are the driving forces of the activity of the people would mean that the progress of human society would be unilateral. This opens the question of the reverse influence of social progress on the formation and development of interests. The successes achieved in the public development of culture, training, science and engineering, have derived and continue to derive from new requirements, and new interests. For example, the development of science and engineering has resulted in radio and TV. Together with newspapers and magazines they enable more complete satisfaction of the needs of the people in the field of information and have resulted in the formation and development of interests connected to the freedom of the word and the reception of information. As is evident, interests and social progress are inseparable from each other and form a dialectical unity.

Proceeding from the above approach, it is evident that the formation of nations is a natural result of thousands of years of ethnic development of humankind, which includes new and original forms of social and national interests. National interests are as differentiated as is national life and according to its spheres it is possible to allocate the social, economic, political and cultural interests of nations. In a system of interests a special place is occupied by interests connected with the satisfaction of cultural-spiritual requirements: the existence, preservation and development of culture in general, and of national culture in particular or, in other words, national-cultural interests. This special place is due, first, to the penetration of culture into all spheres of social life, and its inseparable involvement at the level of public development. Secondly, the changes occurring in social, economic and political life themselves cut a road through consciousness, values and the image of the life of the people — that is, through culture. Thirdly, it is necessary to remember that the national culture was generated as a whole over many centuries, and therefore represents a special, distinct and unique national phenomenon. In contrast to the economic and political spheres, which abstract from national characteristics, a national culture while incorporating the best of other cultures, does not lose the "person", for such a loss would result in the disappearance of the ethnos. Due to these features of culture, the realization of national-cultural interests has a perduring and urgent meaning.

Various social groups, political parties and movements can understand and interpret essential national interests. In such conditions it is possible to achieve a correct and exact comprehension of national interests. In contrast, an absence of political pluralism, of freedom of speech and publicity, and a denial of democratic values can result in an inadequate or wrong understanding of national interests. Besides it can create conditions for certain social groups and political forces to bring forward their interests for the nation and attempt to introduce an understanding of them in the public consciousness.

Just such a situation arose in our country after the October Revolution. This was because of the prevalence of Marxist-Leninist ideology, based on the idea of class struggle. National policy dismissed as nationalism the native culture and aspirations carefully to perfect national values and traditions. Such a situation was reflected in the following steps.

- First, the whole layer of creative intelligencia which had been generated before the October events and provided a link to national-cultural development was destroyed.

- Second, the invaluable products of national oral creativity by outstanding poets, writers, scientists were declared to be ideologically hostile and their study forbidden.

- Third, much from the past of our culture was considered as feudal, obsolete and unnecessary. Many achievements of applied art were lost — wood carvings, gold embroidery, the manufacturing of jewelry, etc.

- Fourth, the monuments of culture — architectural complexes, medrasas and cultural structures, in which the history of our people is fixed — were destroyed. For example, experts calculate that in 1929-1930 in Turkestan 14,000 mosques were burned. In Tashkent alone in 1911 there existed 26 medrasas, of which, 30 years later, 23 had been destroyed. This negligent, indeed intentionally destructive, attitude to historical monuments dominated in subsequent years so that in 50 years no less than 20,000 monuments were destroyed. In Fergana valley only a third of the historical structures escaped.

It is necessary to note that the above-mentioned situation arose owing to the actions of external forces violently introducing a hostile world outlook, values, traditions and image of life of the communist ideology and its ideas of class struggle. At the same time the practice of former allied republics — now independent states — shows that such a situation could arise again under the influence of international factors.

In particular, the experience of Tajikistan bears witness to this. There backwardness in the national self-consciousness, instability of local moods, the focus of the political elite of the country upon their own interests or upon corporate and regional interests rather than national interests, the formation of political forces aspiring to build a basis for an independent nation on religious principles to counterbalance the secular way of development, all have created a situation of internal contradictions in a struggle for authority which has resulted in civil war, and negated decades of socio-economic development in Tajikistan.

Today opposing parties there consider only themselves to be the unique mouthpiece of national interests and, under various pretexts, break achieved agreements and continue to worsen the situation of the country. Naturally, in such conditions there cannot talk about satisfaction of the cultural requirements of the people, realization of national-cultural interests, or moving with the developments of a global culture.

In contrast, in our Republic since the first days of independence a way to maintain and strengthen both the social and the international was chosen. Due to this the country advances by sure steps along the way of constructing an economy based on market relations, democracy, a lawful state and civil society. Naturally, the new system of social relations is not formed without the certain difficulties. The prevention and solution of the difficulties of a transition period has been a huge accomplishment of politics carried out in the Republic.

The nucleus of this politics consists of five principles put forward by the President I.A. Karimov: deideologization of the economy above politics; the basic reformer of society is the state; a humane and strong social policy; the rule of law everywhere and in all things; and stages of transition to a market economy.

What is the meaning of these principles? Before answering this question even in general it is necessary to look at the essence of these principles. It is well-known that in the Soviet period the economy, as well as all spheres of public life, was subordinated to the politics of the Communist Party armed with a Marxist-Leninist ideology. Failure to take account of objective economic laws, and proceeding according to ideological dogmas and political orientations has in the end resulted in a crisis of the whole system of socio-economic relations. Under the conditions of independence such an approach was ended. The principle of the priority of the economy above politics was assumed, freeing the economy of ideological and political dogmas. This emphasized that economic changes could be made not on the basis of abstract political doctrines, but in as much as they help to accelerate economic development and answer the interests of the people.

New socio-economic relations and a world outlook based on democratic values are forming as the result of socio-economic reforms and the spiritual-moral updating connected to life and the introduction in the consciousness of the people of the need for these changes. All this cannot be carried out without direction and hence a reformation of the role of the state. The new way of development requires adequate time for the formation of a new generation of staff. This means that reformation of the role of the state requires development of a new system of preparation and retraining for the staff. The formation of a legal base opening a way to a reformation of society cannot be overlooked. The redirection of intellectual, material and financial resources toward reforms also cannot be carried out without reforming the role of the lawfully elected state authorities.

Reform is not an end in itself, but a means to the establishment of a just public order and improvement in the standard of living of the people. Therefore a series of questions is connected with the prospective transformations: the difficulty in a transitive period of the effects on the standard of living of the various layers of the population and the possibility of preventing negative consequences are questions with urgent practical effect. Even ignoring the other parties and considering only the large part of the population which lives in villages, more than 60 percent of which is made up of children, teenagers, young man and girls under 25 years, these questions are vital.

Therefore, achieving a well-rounded development, the realization of a system of social protection for the vulnerable layers of the population — students, pensioners, invalids — is a central, if not the main, part of the policy being carried out by President I.A. Karimov. It is necessary to note that a strong social policy has created conditions for positive changes in carrying out reforms.

In the Soviet period there were laws and legal controls directed at maintaining the order of the society, but all were penetrated by and subordinated to ideological dogmas. Ideological principles were stronger than laws and the state; especially party bodies intervened in the personal lives of the people, social processes and law-enforcement bodies — nothing was excluded. Even the "right" of Communist party association was limited to only a certain part of the members of society by the Constitutional provision that the Party was the "managing and directing force of Soviet society, the nucleus of its political system, state and public organizations". The key principle of the law was directed to overcoming competition and maintaining the law everywhere both for individual persons and the whole society, with its state and public organizations and their mutual relations.

Today formerly socialist countries, according to their own socio-economic, political and other features, proceed along their own way to market relations. Practice shows that there are various ways of transition, among which two seem to be basic. The first is called "shock therapy". This was carried out, and still continues, in a number of the formerly Communist countries of Europe and in Russia. Such a way assumes a fast, spasmodic and revolutionary transition to market relations. But as practice shows, such a way actually results in the destitution of the greater part of the population, deepening social differentiation and generating a complex of unsolved social problems — in a word, a shock for the population. In its worst variant this can be observed in present day Russia.

In contrast, Uzbekistan has chosen a stage by stage evolutionary transition to the market in order to preserve the existing industrial potential and promote its qualitative reorganization. This aims at a steady development on the basis of advanced engineering and technology, the building of new workplaces, and the increase of export opportunities of the country and the output of economy. On these bases it has been possible to reform step by step through a planned process while avoiding a growth of unemployment and deterioration of the material conditions of the population — which generally accompany a transition period. This way of development of the Republic has allowed first, deep structural transformations of the economy; second, radical political and legal reforms; third, the assurance of civil, social and international consent; and fourth, the generation of a new world outlook of the people reflecting the spirit of new times and ensuring steady development.

Naturally, such successes cannot be achieved outside of cultural processes, or without a positive and salutary influence upon them. Due to these changes it was possible to comprehend the natural requirements for the development of culture and the realization of national-cultural interests, that is reflected in the changes occurring in the cultural life of our people, namely, in the material culture and history of the people, its relation to the environment and to itself. Attention to culture is directed to the past of a nation, its traditions and requirements according to the interests connected with the knowledge and understanding of the culture.

Therefore it is remarkable that since independence more than 1500 of 4000 invaluable monuments of history and culture have been restored. A whole complex of measures connected to the preservation and restoration of other monuments will be carried out. At the same time, many memorial complexes and structures of culture, drawing upon and incarnating the history of the country and the traditions of our people, have been built. A cultural heritage in close communication with the needs of the time can become a great driving force. In this connection it should be noted that works of restoration and development of various kinds and forms of national applied art are being carried out, with the material and financial support of the national leadership.

The positive changes related to national-cultural interests in the sphere of spiritual culture are reflected in the following:

First, religious values have revived. Spread by high morals, they have become a component of the national culture and spiritual world of the people. This is evidenced by the publication in a short interval of time of four religious volumes, "Chadisa", which are the philosophical labour of such leaders of Islamic culture as Al-Termize, Buchory, Bachauddin Nakshband and Achmad Yassavy.

Second, art history publications which, for whatever reasons, were forbidden, now have been revived. The heritage of works of poets, scientists and figures of culture repressed by Stalinism is now studied, and overlooked national traditions have been revived. Thus, the national holiday "Navruz", has been revived and is now a day off.

Third, a wide scale search for monuments of culture, historical, scientific, artistic or religious taken away in different period of history has had success.

Fourth, special attention has been paid to the text and study of products of the nation’s oral creativity, which in past times remained outside the field of research. With the participation of UNESCO a 1000-year anniversary of the national epic "Alpomish" was commemorated in 1999. The decision has been made to publish, beginning in 2001, a collection of 100 volumes under the general name "Monuments of Uzbek Folklore".

Fifth, there was an opportunity not only to celebrate memorials connected with the history of the cultural heritage, but also to mark anniversaries of its outstanding figures. Holidays have been devoted to the 2500-year history of such ancient centers of civilization as Bukhara and Chiva. For the first time there are anniversaries of Imam Al-Termize, Bochoutddin Nakshband, Amir Temur, Mirzo Ulugbek, Babur and other great ancestors who made invaluable contributions to the development not only of domestic, but also of global culture as seen in the preparations for the anniversaries of Imam Buchary and Al-Fergany.

The national cultural interests do not concern only the development of the cultural heritage, for that is not the sole factor involved in the cultural progress of a nation. The future culture of a nation is impossible without new creation, enriched from the achievements of global culture. To proceed with such an approach it is expedient to look at changes in the sphere of formation. The experience of the advanced countries shows that this is closely connected to the radical interests of the nation and the ensuring of its progress. Therefore, since the first days of independence attention to the national system of formation was adjusted to the requirements of the times and raised to global standards. Today the reform of this system is being carried out according to the law "about formation", on "the National program of training of personnel" and other normative acts.

Only under the conditions of Independence was it possible to introduce a system of entrance examinations for special educational institutions, ending the negative phenomena which had taken root in the Soviet period of bribery and protectionism. This has opened the way for an objective and fair evaluation of the knowledge of graduate students and the acceptance in educational institutions of talented youth. At the end of their comprehensive preparation they have become advanced experts. Today the system has successfully taken root throughout the whole educational process.

Today there is a two step system of common education and special training. General training consists of a closely interconnected preschool, initial (1-4 classes), general training (5-9 classes) and also special-academic and special-professional educational institutions with a term of training of not less than three years. This system replaces the 11-year training begun at the end of the 80s which spread into a network of professional and technical schools which still exists. In academic schools the pupils will have an opportunity to train in their chosen field beginning from some specialized studies in high school, and follow this up with at least two or three modern trades. Higher special training consists of the bachelor’s degree (four years) and masters degree (three years), as common throughout the world, instead of the five years’ of training which had long existed

The official system of extended study has two stages — post graduate (three years) and doctor’s degree (three years). This existed in former time and has been retained. Without stopping to detail the features of each of these stages and the contents of the particular programs, it is important to note the following: the system is directed, first, to maintain the unity of the educational process and the strengthening of its national basis; second, to eradicate rote learning and develop in students the ability for independent and creative thinking; third, to form knowledge and skills reflecting the varied social relations and the constant development of the educational process; fourth, to stimulate the increase of knowledge and the improvement of the professional skills of teachers; fifth, to promote the creative development of global science and engineering and their introduction in the educational process.

The acceptance of a multistage system of training and a definition of the tasks which must be accomplished in each will not of themselves ensure achievement of the objective. It is necessary to mobilize huge material and financial resources and an advanced scientific-pedagogical staff to carry out the required large scale measures. Therefore, the changes in this sphere will be carried out stage by stage.

- The first transitive stage (1997-200) focuses on maintenance, the preparation of the pedagogical staff, the creation of new educational standards and programs, structural reorganization of comprehensive schools, the beginning of academic schools and professional colleges, development of a system of social protection, and the realization of other measures necessary for the scientific, methodical and financial conditions for the development of the system of training personnel.

- The second stage (2001-2005) foresees the realization of the national program in its full extent, the increase of the efficiency of the educational system both by the realization of the necessary changes and the principles of the national program, and by responding to the labor market and socio-economic conditions.

- The third stage (beyond 2005) will proceed on the basis of the analysis and generalization of experience and on the basis of the varied socio-economic conditions to further improvement and development of the system of personnel training.

The tasks of the first stage already are successfully resolved. The structure of the specialties in high school and educational institutions has been reconsidered and new educational standards developed with new staff preparation and retraining in a number of the new institutes, in the academy of state and public construction and in the bank and financial academy. Through structural transformations, the pedagogical institutes at the regional centers have been transformed into universities. Some of these changes are on-going. Due to independence there is now opportunity to establish integral and equal relations with other states and to become familiar with the achievements of global culture. This is closely connected with national cultural interests.

Diplomatic relations established with more than 120 states of the world and the existence in our country of representatives of over 200 international nongovernmental organizations serve the development of many fields, including cultural communications. One thousand pupils, more than 3000 students and post-graduate students, over 1000 teachers and scientists since independence have studied and raised their qualifications by visiting or training in foreign countries, and more than 200 foreign experts have worked in our educational institutions.

Many scholars refer to the 20th century as the century of information. Truly it has been characterized by the rapid development of mass media and a sharp increase in its role in public life. Its influence is so strong that today without mass media it is difficult to think of the socialization of the person, the spiritual development of a society and, in general, social progress. Such a role is already accepted, as is expressed by the designation of mass media by the classical term of "the fourth estate". The satisfaction of the cultural needs of a nation, and the realization of its interests in films, radio and TV are impossible outside the development of a world system of information. Under the conditions of independence radical qualitative transformation in this sphere of cultural life has taken place.

The character of these changes can be seen in the following examples. Where in the Soviet period the Republic’s radio and TV were on two channels, today there are four channels. There are radio broadcasts for more than 70 hours per day; telecasts on weekdays are more than 30 hours, and on holidays about 50 hours. The changes are not only quantitative, but also qualitative. This is evident in the fact that a large place is occupied in radio and telecasts by the study and diffusion of science, art and the historical heritage, national-cultural values and problems of moral education.

Changes have occurred also in the areas of the press. In particular, in 1996 there were 416 newspapers with an overall circulation of 2,659,800 from 360 state, 40 public and 26 other organizations. There were 77 magazines with a general circulation of 1,231,600 from 62 state, 9 public and 6 other organizations. Such a large quantity of newspapers and magazines, and their large circulation, naturally follow from the increased interest of the people in different kinds of information of a social, economic, political, legal and spiritual character. Today in the Republic there are 11 publishing houses. The cumulative circulation of the books issued in 1994 is 29,930,000. In 1995 the volume reached 40,410,000. Among these an especially large place is occupied by books devoted to the history and culture of Uzbekistan, development of the Uzbek state, urgent questions of socio-economic and political reforms which are carried out in the country, and also the work of outstanding representatives of the past, whose publication had been forbidden.

Whereas before the basic publishing houses were located in the capital, today publishing houses are located also in regional centers and have an extensive political role. Among these are the publishing houses "Gaychun" in Chorezm, "Nasaph" in Kashkadary and "Zaraphshon" in Samarkand.

The development of the national-culture is closely connected to the development of cinema, theatre, music and museums. These spheres of culture are integral to present national-cultural progress. Many Presidential decrees and decisions of the government are directed to this development and already render fruitful results.

It is not possible to cover all the positive changes occurring in this sphere, but it is necessary generally to describe the essence of the changes occurring in the work of theaters and museums. In 1987 in the Republic there were 31 theaters and 58 museums; now there are 37 theaters and 66 museums. The theaters and museums are a powerful means of increasing spirituality and education. Theaters serve to develop the spiritual world of the people, forming in them patriotic feelings with both national and human values. Museums, being engaged in the storage and study of historical materials and spiritual values through expositions and exhibitions, contribute to the spread of science and spiritual education.

Taking this into account and with the purpose of involving researchers more actively in the spiritual transformation of the country, of reviving museums, and of perfecting a system of special training in these spheres, two decrees of the President of the Republic have been especially important: "Concerning Radical Improvement and Perfection of the Activity of Museums" (January 12, 1998) and "Concerning the Development of the Theatrical Arts of Uzbekistan" (March 26, 1998). These have had major import for the development of Uzbek theatre and museums.

First, the association "Uzbek Theatre" was created by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic. All organizations engaged in the organization and management of theaters were incorporated in one "family". The importance of this association in overcoming the disorganization and increasing the efficiency of theaters is undoubtedly great. Moreover, having such associations under one "roof" opens the way to fruitful international cooperation.

Second, the magazines Theatre and Uzbek Museum were established. These will play a large role in the overall improvement of works of theaters and museums and will publicize their achievements.

Third, in order to strengthen the material base of "Uzbek Theatre" and coordinate the activity of the various museums and provide spiritual stimulation, the funds "Artmadid" and "Uzbek Museum" were created.

Fourth, the association "Uzbek Theatre" and the fund "Uzbek Museum" and their branches are freed from all state taxes, customs and other payments for five years.

Fifth, to attract sponsors for the improvement of the activity of theaters and museums income taxes will be reduced according to the amount contributed to "Uzbek Theatre" and "Uzbek Museum" and their related organizations. A large role in responding to national-cultural interests is played by a management system which today consists of three interconnected and complementary dimensions — official bodies, public organizations and various funds. Among the official bodies for the management of culture are the Ministry of Culture for Regular, Higher and National Education, the Academy of Sciences and Academy of Applied Arts, state committees on science and engineering and also "Uzbek Radio Company" and "Uzbek Cinema". These organizations play a special role in determining the basic directions in the development of their spheres of culture.

Another, not less important, part of the system of culture are such public organizations as the republican public center "Manaviat va marifat" ("Spirituality and enlightenment"), the republican international cultural centre, the national-cultural centers, and the union of writers, journalists, composers and theoreticians. They carry out the overall planning and activities to satisfy the cultural requirements of the population, propagate cultural achievements and protect creative intelligence.

A large place in the management of culture is occupied by various funds, which today are more than 100 in number, through which funds are allocated to the educational sphere. These include "Soglom avlod uchun" ("For health generation"), "Umid", "Ulugbek", "Kamolot", "Ustoz". They are concerned with the optimization of youth activities, and the stimulation of teachers especially through training in other countries for a spiritually rich and physically healthy generation, and support for gifted children and youth.

Funds support the study of history, cultural heritage, national traditions, ritual and values, their careful preservation and development, and the realization of various cultural projects and programs. These funds include "Navruz", "Oltin meros", "Artmadid", "Uzbek Museum", and the international fund "Amir Temur".

From the above, it is easy to see how the national-cultural interests in each sphere are shaped according to the present level of their development. For example, today our national-cultural interests in the area of education are connected to its radical reorganization and the introduction of advanced methods of personnel training. In the sphere of theatrical arts there is the creation of art products, educating people in a spirit of fidelity to national independence and respect for national and human values. In the museum sphere there is careful security, preservation and augmentation of historical cultural treasures and the transformation of museums into genuine educational centers.

Reflecting the specific requirements of the particular spheres of culture, the national-cultural interests promote the activity of people, social groups and society, and thus are driving forces of social progress.