Tradition and Change in Contemporary World

 

  University of Central Asia, Dushanbe, Tajikstan

July 24-25, 2017

Conference Program

Theme

As the recently independent state Central Asia has been undergoing profound changes in all aspects, and facing not only economic and social challenges, but especially transformations of its cultural traditions.

With new foundations emerging for identities people in Central Asia are looking back to their past for inspirations and resources in order to draw upon the richness of their cultural traditions and to develop a new system of values. Responding to a widely felt need scholars, thinkers and intellectuals are invited to come together to foster a deep understanding of ethical issues and moral choices in Central Asian society.

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture established the Aga Khan Humanities Project for Central Asia (AKHP) in 1997. 10 years later AKHP became part of the University of Central Asia (UCA) in 2007. UCA was founded as an international educational organization in 2000 by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan, and His Highness the Aga Khan.

AKHP promotes communication, dialogue and cooperation among pluralistic peoples, cultures and civilization through exchanging ideas and insights and sharing common values. It initiates and supports curriculum in humanities for interdisciplinary undergraduate studies, pedagogical and professional developments of faculty members among universities in Central Asia and community outreach projects. AKHP builds the community network across the region and helps people in Central Asia explore and carry on their traditional values and connect with the outside world. Students and faculty members are encouraged to develop skills of critical thinking so as to understand the diversity within each culture, and the similarity among different cultures. 

Central Asia is a region with interaction and integration of many ethnic and cultural communities, such as Buddhist, Chinese, Greek, Indian, Iranian, Islamic, Jewish, Mongol, Russian, Turkic and Zoroastrian. In addition the impact of the more recent Soviet experience on shaping values and identities should not be underestimated as well.  Appreciation and understanding of the breadth and depth of rich cultural heritages of Central Asia enable its people to adjust to rapid changes and seize opportunities in these global times.