Conference Program

Thematic Description

Recent events in Central Asia, e.g. people's rallies in Kyrgyzstan (October 5-6, 2021) and Kazakhstan (January 2-7, 2022), indicate that the global struggle between “light and dark forces" has shifted to regions/peripheries which are less known to the world community, and therefore often overlooked. Generally speaking, superficial and stereotyped views about these regions/peripheries are spread around the world that these lands are backward and unpromising in terms of modern progress and democratic development.

Indeed, a twofold struggle is unfolding both in the global arena and in the regional area: the struggle against international terrorism and religious extremism for the former, and the struggle against authoritarian regimes of personal and family power and the strive for the universal democratic values for the latter, here specifically referring to Central Asia.

The outcome of the regional struggle will determine the future of neighboring states such as Russia, China, etc. as well as the relationship between Europe and Asia, or East and West. Because historically Central Asia has been the bridge between Europe and Asia since the time of the Great Silk Road (II century BC). Peace and stability of Central Asia will enable a fruitful intercultural dialogue and cooperation between East and West.

One of the assurances for a peaceful region is to fight against extremist ideologies and authoritarianism which are the barriers to the process of democratization in the region, namely the implementation of democratic principles of egalitarianism, people's participation, cultural pluralism, openness in the political system, the rule of law, observance of human rights, freedom, respect and protection of human dignity, fair elections,  etc. These main indicators of the development of real democracy express the idea of ​​social justice and the common good.

However, there are objective and subjective obstacles to the development of democracy in the post-Soviet Central Asian republics. They are primarily associated with the negative consequences of the Soviet command-administrative, authoritarian system of governance and the tribal structure of indigenous society. The Soviet ideology of totalitarianism ruled out any other worldviews, pluralism, free and critical thinking. Conditions were created for the penetration of criminal elements into power structures, corruption, etc. Clan and tribal interests still dominate the political structure and personnel policy in the Central Asian states.

Therefore, democratization in Central Asia presupposes that tribalism and authoritarianism should be first and foremost overcome in all spheres of society's life. The key in this process is to change public consciousness. People's protests in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan as well as the activities of civil activists, journalists and human rights organizations in Central Asia testify that a revolutionary change in public consciousness has been emerging. People in the region oppose the usurpation of power and demand freedom, respect for human rights and genuine democratic reforms.

To understand the features of democratization in Central Asia, it is necessary to learn its rich history, culture, philosophy. Central Asian people are the descendants of the ancient Indo-Europeans (ancient Aryans) and the heirs of cultural achievements of the most ancient civilizations of the Bronze Age (I-II millennium BC) – Andronovo culture, Chust culture, Bactrian-Margian culture, ancient nomads (Scythians or Saks, I millennium BC); the most ancient states (Khorezm, Bactria, 7-8 centuries BC); Turkic Khaganate (6 century) in the Middle Ages as the first Eurasian state.

Historical and cultural heritage, philosophical wisdom are expressed not only in Avesta, the ancient book (beginning of the 1st millennium BC), various epics, the Tengrian belief of the ancient Turks, but also in the enlightenment works of Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Zhusup Balasagyn, Khoja Akhmed Yasevi, Ulugbek, Alisher Navoi, as well as modern and contemporary thinkers like Abai Kunanabaev (19-20 centuries), Chingiz Aitmatov (20-21 centuries), etc. These Central Asian thinkers provide a rich and solid intellectual and spiritual foundation without which it is impossible to develop an effective democracy in the region with its unique characteristics.

The following topics will be discussed during the seminar:

Ø  The history of the development of ancient democratic institutions in Central Asia

Ø  Culture and philosophy as the basis of democracy in Central Asia.

Ø  Islam and democracy in Central Asia.

Ø  Socio-political processes in Central Asia.

Contact

Cholpon Alieva 

Philosophy Department

International University of Kyrgyzstan &

“Ala-Too” International University

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 

<alievach@yahoo.com>