Central Asian FLEX Alumni Debates Explore Regional Issues

FLEX alumni, representing program years spanning 1999 to 2008, from the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan met at the Kazakh British Technical University to take part in an alumni debate tournament aimed at developing Central Asian partnerships. Organizers Kseniya Shilina ’06 (Kazakhstan), Assiya Beleukhanova ’07 (Kazakhstan), and Aizat Jakybaliyeva ’07 (Kyrgyzstan), together with event sponsors American Councils, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the Public Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan coordinated the event to improve communication not only among alumni, but with other talented youth leaders of Central Asian countries.

The tournament, which took place on June 24-25, was divided into two parts: a formal debate and a series of roundtables with follow-up discussions. Teams from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan took part in the debate, which covered topics of regional importance, such as the existence of the CIS, a Central Asian energy and gas partnership, increasing cultural awareness about neighboring countries, a Central Asian transportation system, and a general currency. Judges Assiya Beleukhanova ’07, Yevgeniya Khan ’07, Marzhan Doszhanova ’07, and Aida Turgenbayeva ’07 determined the winners of the debate by assessing which team created the most practical mechanisms for addressing the issues. Following the debate, three alumni gave pre-prepared speeches on various topics. Kseniya Shilina ’06, FLEX alumni coordinator for Kazakhstan, made a presentation on trade relationships in Central Asia; former Alumni Coordinator for Tajikistan Malikakhon Khakimova ’04 presented on means of communication for Central Asian youth; and Kyrgyzstan alumna Elvira Kalmurzayeva ’08 spoke about problems arising as a result of poorly defined borders between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in particular. Alumni debated the facts and opinions expressed by the presenters, and then spoke up about national issues: Tajik alumni shared their frustration over Uzbekistan’s restricted sales of gas, and Kyrgyz alumni discussed their nation’s concern of unclear borders, while alumni from Kazakhstan spoke about the obstacles bureaucracy creates in their daily lives. Following a day of debates, alumni from Kazakhstan were treated to a cross-cultural evening of food, music, and dancing by alumni from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The following day, participating alumni gathered to take part in their first All-Central Asia community service project. They visited the young patients at the National Oncology Center for Children. Alumni prepared games and crafts for the children, and gave them presents donated by partners at UNICEF.

As a result of the debates, discussions, and service work, alumni developed new friendships and improved cultural understanding with their Central Asian counterparts. Alumni, empowered by the event, insisted on future cooperation between the region’s alumni programs and drafted a letter to the AISEC, the world's largest student organization, to launch an internship program, creating professional exchanges among Central Asian countries. In addition, alumni created a social networking group on the Russian language site Vkontakte. Finally, alumni, mindful of the “hope in the eyes” of the children from the Oncology Center, plan to implement more projects with the children to give them the attention and care that they need and deserve.