Our Ukraine is a round table dedicated to the interaction between Ukraine and Central Asia. Historically, there are good reasons for strong ties, solidarity and cooperation between these regions. But, unfortunately, there are not very many of them yet. In order to talk about this and share experience, people gathered, connected both with Ukraine and with the countries of Central Asia:

Our Ukraine

The in-depth discussion is dedicated to the recently published ENC Analysis "ENC Analysis: Walking a Fine Line- Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Policy post-2022" in which the author, Dr. Aijan Sharshenova investigates how Kyrgyzstan, a country that is dependent on both the Russian economy and Western development aid, navigates its foreign policy preferences and how it will change in light of the war in Ukraine.

The debate is part of the ENC in-depth podcast discussions with experts and academics assessing the developments in Central Asia in the fields of Security, Foreign Policy, Economy, Democracy and Education.

Participants:
- Dr. Aijan Sharshenova, a Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre, UK.
Moderation by Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, Director of European Neighbourhood Council.

ENC In-Depth Podcast: Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Policy in light of the war in Ukraine

The in-depth discussion is dedicated to “Promoting Equal Economic Opportunities and Resilience of Youth” in the Kyrgyz Republic - Sanarip Insan (Digital Citizen) - a project that is implemented by the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) together with the Public Association “Internet Society Kyrgyzstan Chapter” with the financial support of the EU Delegation in the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim of the project is to provide knowledge of the work of the digital and green economy to young people and women living in rural regions of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The debate is part of the ENC in-depth podcast discussions with experts and academics assessing the developments in Central Asia in the fields of Security, Foreign Policy, Economy, Democracy and Education.

Participant:
- Talant Sultanov is the co-founder of the Internet Society-Kyrgyz Chapter. Previously he served as an advisor to the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, where he coordinated the work of the national digital transformation programme Taza Koom.
Moderation by Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, ENC Director.

ENC In-Depth Podcast: Promoting equal opportunities through Sanarip Insan (Digital Citizen) project

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In these series of podcasts EUCAM welcomes guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Guests range from academics to policymakers and from journalists to civil society activists. What is happening in Europe that Central Asians should know about? What events are unfolding in Central Asia that Europeans should understand? Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, and economic turns while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

In the seventh episode Rashid and Yelena talk about the impact of climate change in Central Asia together with Khudonazar Imomyorbekov, an environmental specialist from Tajikistan focusing on sustainable development and forward-looking societies in Central Asia.

A Chat in the Yurt - Episode VII: Climate Change

The in-depth discussion is dedicated to the recently published ENC Analysis "Sustainable Commercialization of Uzbek Heritage along the Silk Road: A Perspective from the EU" in which the authors, İpek Tekdemir, Nazlican Kavukcu and Javida Rahimova examine how the EU can promote the commercialization of Uzbek heritage and the development of sustainable tourism by providing technical and financial assistance to help Uzbek tourism facilities’ efficient use of resources as well as how the recently formed EU-Uzbekistan Friendship Group in the European Parliament (EP) can work in tandem to support the promotion of Uzbek heritage and tourism.

The debate is part of the ENC in-depth podcast discussions with experts and academics assessing the developments in Central Asia in the fields of Security, Foreign Policy, Economy, Democracy, and Education.

Participants:
- İpek Tekdemir, ENC and European Parliament Advisor for MEP and Secretary General of the EU-Uzbekistan Friendship Group in the European Parliament (EP).
Moderation by Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, Director of European Neighbourhood Council.

ENC In-Depth Podcast: Sustainable Tourism Development and Commercialisation of Uzbek Heritage

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In these series of podcasts EUCAM welcomes guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Guests range from academics to policymakers and from journalists to civil society activists. What is happening in Europe that Central Asians should know about? What events are unfolding in Central Asia that Europeans should understand? Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, and economic turns while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

In the eighth episode Yelena Kilina hosts Sonya Imin, who is a mixed Uyghur American PhD researcher, artist and filmmaker focusing on Uyghur artistic production in the diaspora. The discussion revolves around one of the recent projects, a Contemporary Uyghur Anthology: "Under the Mulberry Tree," which is a collection of art, poetry and prose that made its debut last year and was released again earlier this spring.

A Chat in the Yurt - Episode VIII: Uyghur Culture

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In these series of podcasts EUCAM welcomes guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Guests range from academics to policymakers and from journalists to civil society activists. What is happening in Europe that Central Asians should know about? What events are unfolding in Central Asia that Europeans should understand? Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, and economic turns while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

In the ninth episode Rashid and Yelena talk about decarbonization, energy transition, and climate policy in Central Asia with Roman Vakulchuk, senior researcher at NUPI (the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs).

A Chat in the Yurt - Episode IX: Energy Transition

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In these series of podcasts EUCAM welcomes guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Guests range from academics to policymakers and from journalists to civil society activists. What is happening in Europe that Central Asians should know about? What events are unfolding in Central Asia that Europeans should understand? Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, and economic turns while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

In the tenth episode Yelena and Jos talk about the concept of strategic autonomy and how it might apply to Central Asia together with Nargis Kassenova, senior fellow and director of the Program on Central Asia at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies (Harvard University).

A Chat in the Yurt - Episode X: Strategic Autonomy for Central Asia

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In these series of podcasts EUCAM welcomes guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Guests range from academics to policymakers and from journalists to civil society activists. What is happening in Europe that Central Asians should know about? What events are unfolding in Central Asia that Europeans should understand? Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, and economic turns while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

In the eleventh episode Rashid Gabdulhakov and Kamila Smagulova talk are joined by Dr. Aijan Sharshenova to discuss about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has been going on for nearly two years, and its impact on Central Asia.

A Chat in the Yurt - Episode XI: War Impact

The in-depth discussion is dedicated to the recently published ENC Analysis "Understanding Russia’s Central Asia Policy" in which the author, Dr. Aijan Sharshenova, delves deep into the dynamics of Russia’s policies in the Central Asian region, providing valuable insights into key trends and strategic considerations.

The debate is part of the ENC in-depth podcast discussions with experts and academics assessing the developments in Central Asia in the fields of Security, Foreign Policy, Economy, Democracy and Education.

Participants:
- Dr. Aijan Sharshenova, Executive Director at Crossroads Central Asia and a research fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.
Moderation by Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, Director of European Neighbourhood Council.

ENC In-Depth Podcast: The Dynamics of Russia's Policies in the Central Asian Region

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In these series of podcasts EUCAM welcomes guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Guests range from academics to policymakers and from journalists to civil society activists. What is happening in Europe that Central Asians should know about? What events are unfolding in Central Asia that Europeans should understand? Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, and economic turns while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

In the twelfth episode Rashid Gabdulhakov and Kamila Smagulova talk are joined by Alexa Kurmanov, a PhD candidate in Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. Together they discuss challenges in doing sensitive field research in Central Asia.

A Chat in the Yurt - Episode XII: Research Positionality

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In these series of podcasts EUCAM welcomes guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Guests range from academics to policymakers and from journalists to civil society activists. What is happening in Europe that Central Asians should know about? What events are unfolding in Central Asia that Europeans should understand? Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, and economic turns while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

In the thirteenth episode Rashid Gabdulhakov and Kamila Smagulova are joined by Gulzat Botoeva who is a senior lecturer in Criminology at Swansea University and Assel Tutumlu, assistant professor in Political Science at the Near East University. Together they discuss the USTA mentorship programme, which is an academic grassroots programme that supports Central Asian
scholars in publishing in renown academic journals.

A Chat in the Yurt - Episode XIII: Academic Mentorship

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In these series of podcasts EUCAM welcomes guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Guests range from academics to policymakers and from journalists to civil society activists. What is happening in Europe that Central Asians should know about? What events are unfolding in Central Asia that Europeans should understand? Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, and economic turns while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

In the fourteenth episode Rashid Gabdulhakov and Kamila Smagulova are joined by Costas Politis, Chairman of the Greek Cultural Center in Tashkent, in a discussion focused on the Greek diaspora in Uzbekistan.

A Chat in the Yurt - Episode XIV: Greek Diaspora in Uzbekistan

Established in 2008 by FRIDE as a project seeking to monitor the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, EUCAM has grown into a knowledge hub on broader Europe-Central Asia relations. With CESS guidance and cooperation EUCAM will seek to continue to raise the profile of European-Central Asian relations in general, and more specifically to:

- Critically, though constructively, scrutinize European policies towards Central Asia;
- Enhance knowledge of European engagement with Central Asia through top-quality research;
- Raise awareness of the importance of Central Asia and Europe’s engagement, as well as discuss European policies among Central Asian communities;
- Expand the network of experts and institutions from Europe and Central Asia and provide a forum for debate.

European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) is an independent think tank that conducts research and policy roundtables on foreign policy, education, economy, democracy and security across the European Neighbourhood area, EU accession countries and Central Asia.
+32 (2) 646 51 39

New tracks tagged #centralasia