Narrowing the digital divide in Uzbekistan’s education system: Covid-19 lessons
The Covid-19 pandemic transformed everyday realities overnight, as most services and activities had to be moved online. Education worldwide was hit hard. As schools and universities shifted to online...
What does a ‘good life’ mean for Central Asia?
Editorial
Can life in Europe serve as a guide for development policies towards Central Asia?
Amid concerns and uncertainty about one’s own health and that of our loved ones, the COVID-19...
How the EU links Central Asia to Afghanistan’s development
In 2019, the European Union (EU) released a new strategy for Central Asia. Whereas the strategy is focused on the five Central Asian ‘stans’, it does seek to include...
Resilience, prosperity and cooperation in Central Asia’s enclaves: a role for the EU?
Bilateral relations between some Central Asian countries have improved over the past few years, among other reasons due to progress over the delimitation and demarcation of borders, opening up...
New EU Strategy for Central Asia: First reactions
Editorial
Enough to do for the EU in Central Asia
I always have a ‘to-do list’ at work. And, like most people, before I complete one task, I already have a...
Reconsidering EU Education Assistance to Central Asia
Central Asia’s educational systems have been deteriorating for almost three decades. Education is a key EU-driven area of EU-Central Asia cooperation. However, the EU’s focus on promoting large-scale systemic...
A new EU-Central Asia Strategy: Deepening relationships and generating long-lasting impact
Introduction
Over the past decade, the European Union (EU) has become an active actor in Central Asia. It has expanded its diplomatic presence, established co-operation mechanisms and increased its development...
How ‘central’ is Central Asia in the EU-Asia connectivity strategy?
Editorial
A confusing strategy
At the end of 2018, the European Union (EU) presented its Europe-Asia connectivity strategy (CS). The CS applies to transport, energy, and digital networks, and includes a...
Uzbekistan opening up
Optimism and doubt…
Uzbekistan has begun to take steps towards openness and economic and political reform. Since the death of President Islam Karimov in September 2016 and the parliamentary appointment...
Civil society in Uzbekistan: Building from the ground up
Uzbekistan is changing. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has initiated a series of economic and governance reforms, and the country’s new direction has opened up space for civil society to develop,...