The recent discovery of a human organ smuggling ring in the southern Uzbek city of Bukhara is focusing attention on the dangers of widespread poverty, which is driving many to resort to desperate measures in a search for economic security.
This article is the second of a two-part series that reviews key development during the past year in Central Asia. This article focuses on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. Click here for part one.
This article is the first of a two-part series that reviews key development during the past year in Central Asia. This article focuses on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Click here for part two.
Some Soviet-era cultural institutions, such as Kazakhstan's Union of Artists, have survived the transition in Central Asia from Communism to a more market-oriented system. But as Yerkin Mergenov, the president of Kazakhstan's 500-member Union of Artists, told EurasiaNet in a recent interview, the artists' union has a very limited ability to promote the revival of the arts.
The outcome of the "security summit" held on January 5 in Almaty indicates that Central Asian presidents are increasingly intent on working collectively against terrorism, despite the leaders' many disagreements on economic and political issues.
The collapse of the former Soviet Union had a devastating impact on arts and culture in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The creative processes of artists, writers and musicians have suffered as they have struggled to adjust to market realities. In addition, the popular market for arts and culture has contracted, as the general population now has fewer resources to devote to leisurly pursuits.
With its health care system lagging behind other sectors of the economy, the government of Kazakhstan recently attempted to reverse its deterioration by turning over health care financing reform to local authorities. Top government officials hope decentralization will prevent a collapse of health care.
Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, ethnic and political conflict has stood in the way of reform in the Newly Independent States. The NGO Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution was formed in 1998 to help build constructive relationships and assist in peacekeeping efforts in the region.
