This programme aims to improve reporting of human rights and conflict issues by Central Asian journalists, and support development of their professional skill and independence. It operates mainly in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with additional reporting from Turkmenistan. It is managed in London by Saule Mukhametrakhimova.

IWPR has been working continuously and extensively on the ground in Central Asia since December 1999.

The programme's ultimate purpose is to improve understanding of, and encourage respect for, human rights, the rule of law, and the ongoing processes of conflict resolution and democratisation in the post-Soviet Central Asian region. This is achieved through journalistic training, publishing of pertinent objective human rights, conflict and democratisation-related articles, human rights seminars and regular roundtable discussions of important social and political issues between representatives of local stakeholder groups.

Activity Outline

Training

IWPR's UK and local staff provide practical skills' training to journalists to produce objective and reliable real-time reporting on human rights, conflict and related issues for the local press. This is provided through individual and group training in the region, and long-distance learning, via the Internet, with London-based specialist staff. For more details on IWPR's training, click here.

Publishing

The results of this training process can be seen in the various publications produced as part of the programme. These are:

Reporting Central Asia

This locally written news analysis service, Reporting Central Asia, is published weekly on this site and via e-mail subscription in English and Russian. A large proportion of these articles are re-syndicated free of charge in the local language Central Asian print and electronic media.

Investigative Reporting Projects

IWPR is also training local journalists to produce in-depth investigative reports. Cross-border collaboration and information exchange between IWPR contributors is actively encouraged.

Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration & National Dialogue

IWPR encourages information exchange and networking among journalists and NGOs, and, where possible, between these civil society actors and the authorities.

Regular roundtable discussions are hosted in Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, focusing on the most important issues facing the region. Occasional conferences are also held, bringing together programme participants from throughout the region.

IWPR has close partnerships with a number of human rights organisations in the region, which participate in IWPR events, offer full assistance to participants in the programme, and produce regular bulletins on human rights issues.

The substantial output on conflict and security issues to international experts, media, decision-makers and opinion-formers, via IWPR's award-winning website as well as email, helps to bridge international and local voices, and signals strong international support for human rights, democratisation and the reduction of regional conflict.

Funders

IWPR's work in Central Asia began in January 2000, initially funded by the National Lottery Charity Board for 24 months. Funding continues in 2008 from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, US Department of State and Open Society Institute (OSI).

For more details please see full list of IWPR supporters.